2023 Mt. Graham Camping Trip & Large Binocular Telescope Tour

Mountain lakes, cliffside sunsets, stargazing, campfires, good food, great music, even better people, and a 2-hour tour of the Large Binocular Telescope (the largest single-mount telescope in the world!!) makes for a pretty epic weekend on one of the most prominent peaks in the United States. 

SOCk hosts this amazing trip each year, providing transportation to the mountain, providing dinner, and setting up the telescope tour free of charge, which is something you do not want to miss out on! Make sure to join us next year as we’ll be returning to the same campsite! 

A PhD/MD Conversation

Thanks to Colin Potter, a current graduate student here at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences pursuing his PhD/MD. Colin elucidated the different ways PhD/MDs are trying to change the world. In fact, Colin talked about he is creating a quick way to detect the SARs-COV-19 virus using a novel diffractive optical system faster than current standard testing. Thanks so much Colin!

Thanks Colin!

Dr. Kester ’07, Rebellion Photonics co-Founder, Speaks!!

Dr. Robert Kester (MS ’07), co-founder of Rebellion Photonics, returned to the Wyant College to host a conversation about his experience establishing, running, and scaling a startup. Students asked pressing questions about how they can be successful in their own entrepreneurial enterprises. Everyone gained insight into some of the challenges he faced during his time building Rebellion. Thank you Dr. Kester for your time!

Internship Q&A Panel

Thanks to our panelists Greg Nero, Logan Pawlowski, and Trenton Brendel for your insightful advice and answers to our students’ most pressing questions about gaining and choosing internships. We are sure that your recommendations will help our students in the future. It goes a long way!

Internship Ninjas!

Jilian Nguyen ’20, Apple, Speaks

Jilian Nguyen, UA OpSci alumnus and a current camera hardware engineer at Apple, gave a virtual talk about her experience searching for, interviewing, and landing internships at a variety of tech companies. Topics ranged from what companies in optics want out of employees to how to maximize one’s experience at Wyant College of Optical Sciences.  

Thank you, Jilian, for your incredible talk!
Discussion session after Jilian’s amazing talk. Sweet!

SOCk Hike!

We started the year off right with a  hike in the beautiful winter weather and desert scenery. Thank you to everyone who made it to Blackett’s Ridge Trail as well as those who trekked a variety of others on their own. Let’s have a wonderful semester!

Student Leadership takes on Rochester!

Last week, three of our current officers, and one former officer, were selected out of 100 students around the world to attend Optica’s Student Leadership Experience in Rochester, NY. They connected with chapters in India, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, Germany, Florida, New York, and more, and met many motivated, young leaders. From practicing networking skills and learning techniques to leverage the full impact of our Student Optics Chapter, it was a deLIGHTful experience. Thank you, Optica, for the cornhole boards and Optics suitcase, and for empowering student leaders across the globe.

Happy SOCktoberFest!!!

SOCktoberFest was a hit! Hosted at Mansfield Park, SOCk served up brats, sauerkraut, and good times to the members of the OSC. Attendees brought Spikeball, cornhole, and a stellar community that makes our College so unique. We hope everyone had an outstanding time!

Getting competitive with spikeball
What a great community
It’s Brat-O-Clock!
Great People = Great Conversation
Thanks everyone!

Community Speakers: Thanks, Dr. Ben Cromey!

Dr. Ben Cromey, an OSC alumnus and current optical engineer at Ball Aerospace, paid his old stomping grounds a visit. As one of the leading engineers on the Roman Space Telescope, Dr. Cromey presented the exciting future of space exploration and gave students some insight into some of the obstacles and opportunities he has faced in his career. Thanks, Dr. Cromey!

Thanks Dr. Cromey!
Learning about the amazing Optics of future space exploration!

Back-to-school BBQ

It’s official! The 2022 school year is back now that the Optics College has undergone its Back-to-School BBQ sponsored by SOCk! With tasty food, groovy music, and a great community, there was no doubt that it was going to be a success. Thank you to all who came out to the event, and let’s have a great school year.

  • Great vibes
  • Grill action
  • Surprised?
  • Let’s have a great year!
  • Getting Smoky!
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