Page 51 - Harnett Life Winter 2022

Science Fair Competition. He also established a laser program
scholarship.
• The Argon-Krypton Lab is named for Steve Lympany -- en-
gineer, educator, scientist, and CCCC laser program founder.
He is recognized for founding the CCCC laser program in
1987, putting in countless hours, creating the curriculum, re-
cruiting students from across the state, teaching and mentor-
ing students, recruiting photonics companies to the area to hire
graduates, teaching the laser program core classes, and men-
toring future laser program instructors as Engineering Depart-
ment head.
• The Solid-State Lab 2 is named for Dr. Kevin Stevens --
General Manager of Northrop Grumman Crystal Growth Di-
vision. Recognized for 10-plus years of advisory committee
support, teaching and mentoring students every year during an
annual tour of the Northrop Grumman crystal growth process.
He provided significant review and input into the creation of Gary Beasley (right), who leads the Central Carolina
Laser Applications II course material and labs in the areas of Community College Laser & Photonics Technology
“Solid State Laser Crystal Growth, Manufacturing and Test.” program, speaks to the gathering while CCCC Laser and
• The Fiber Lab is named for Mike Sullivan, Wasatch Pho- Photonics student Nicholas Vandivier (left) looks on.
tonics - Board of Directors, consultant, SensIR Inc. President,
scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur. Recognized for 15-plus
years of advisory committee support, he founded the Wasatch and Electrical Engineering - University of Central Florida). Sci-
entist, inventor and educator, he has nurtured several success-
Spectroscopy Division in Research Triangle Park. He presents ful photonics companies. He is recognized for five-plus years
at CCCC laser program recruiting events, serves on the annual of CCCC advisory committee support, and mentoring students
Interview Skills Panel, and spreads the word about the CCCC during visits to the CCCC laser program, which has included
laser program to other industry leaders across the country.
public recruiting events. His extensive review of CCCC laser
labs, with suggested updates, have resulted in improved laser
The Scholars Lab (Applications Lab) recognizes five individu- learning outcomes.
als:
• Dr. David Brady (J.W. and H.M. Goodman Endowed Chair • Scott Williams (Associate Director of the Photonics Re-
search Center at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, sci-
in the Wyant College of Optical Sciences - University of Ari-
zona). He formerly was with the Fitzpatrick Center School of entist, inventor, and entrepreneur). He is recognized for being
a founding 2001 CCCC laser program advisor, providing valu-
Photonics at Duke University. A scientist, inventor and entre- able advice and direction during the first meeting which set
preneur, he started several successful photonics companies.
Recognized for being a founding 2001 CCCC laser program the stage for changing the focus of study for the laser program
from fiber optics laser applications to other laser applications.
advisor. He is constantly getting the word out about the CCCC
laser program to photonics leaders across the nation. The CCCC Laser & Photonics Technology program teaches
• Dr. John Muth (N.C. State University -- scientist, and inven- students how to control light and electrical energy to prepare
tor). Recognized for being a founding 2001 CCCC laser pro-
gram advisor, he has provided valuable advice and direction. them for careers in photonics and electronics engineering tech-
nology. These high-tech, high-paying career tracks include
He has hosted several laser program advisory meetings on the
NCSU campus. He provided significant review and input into the research, design, manufacture, sale, and field service of
products, like in the rapid-growing field of lasers. Jobs include
the creation of Laser Applications II course material and labs working on engineering teams to build, test and troubleshoot
in the areas of LED manufacturing and test and semiconductor
manufacturing. In addition, he introduced industry advisors to designs in areas like laser weapon systems, medical instru-
ments, detection equipment, laser fusion energy sources, fiber
the program.
• Dr. Chrysanthos “Chrys” Panayiotou (LASER-TEC Execu- telecommunications, and industrial laser systems.
tive Director - Principal Investigator). He is recognized for be- To learn more about the CCCC Laser & Photonics Technology
ing a very active member of the CCCC laser program advisory
committee, presenting to and mentoring students during visits program, visit www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/lasersphoton-
ics/. Or, contact Gary Beasley at (910) 814-8828 or by email at
to the CCCC laser program, which included public recruiting
events. [email protected].
• Dr. M.J. Soileau (Distinguished Professor of Optics, Physics,

Harnett Life ~ Winter 2022 Page 51