Each year, the University of Arizona and UA Alumni Association honors selected academic college and center alumni in recognition of their note-worthy contributions to their careers, communities and colleges.
Introducing the University of Arizona Alumni of the Year for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences.
2021 Alumnus of the Year: Jack Jewell, PhD 1984
In recognition of his many contributions to the advancement of optics technology and education, the University of Arizona Alumni Association selected Jack Jewell for the 2021 Alumnus of the Year Award for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. Jewell earned his graduate degrees (MS ’81 and PhD ’84) from the University of Arizona. Among his many accomplishments, in 1991 Jewell co-founded Photonics Research Inc., the first company committed to commercializing VCSELs. In 1995, Jack also founded Picolight Inc. In 2017 Jewell launched the Jack Jewell Endowed Research Award for Extreme Optics through the Wyant College with a $100,000 donation. An annual award from this endowment is given to a Ph.D. student whose work best illustrates a passion for exceeding perceived “limitations” of optical technology in any subfield.
Archives
- 2019: Jannick Rolland-Thompson, PhD 1990
- 2018: James W. Mayo, M.S. 1968
- 2017: Sean McCafferty, M.S. 2015
- 2016: Robert R. Boye, Ph.D. 2000
- 2015: Kevin P. (Rolland-)Thompson, Ph.D. 1980
- 2014: Jacobus (Jim) Oschmann, M.S. 1983
- 2013: Eustace L. Dereniak, Ph.D. 1976
- 2012: Kyle J. Myers, Ph.D. 1985
- 2011: Kenneth E. Moore, Ph.D. 1991
- 2010: John B. Hayes, Ph.D. 1984
- 2006: Lawrence A. Johnson, Ph.D. 1981
For questions about giving to the college, please contact Kaye Rowan, executive director of development, at rowan@optics.arizona.edu or 520-626-8754.