UNDERGRADUATE / GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Michael Pate Optical Sciences Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Michael Pate Optical Sciences Endowed Memorial Scholarship was established by the MPOSMS Foundation to honor the memory of Michael Pate , M . S . 2001 , UA Wyant College of Optical Sciences . Michael lost his battle with cancer in 2010 and wished for his legacy in the field of optics to continue posthumously in the form of an annual scholarship .
Michael was an optical engineer , inventor , individual patent and co-patent holder who was passionate about teaching and life-long learning , and was a selfproclaimed “ optics phreak .” He had a very successful career in optics at national and international technology companies before starting his own consulting company , Optical Short Course International . The company included an educational component to compliment the consulting side of his business , where he taught at companies all over the world .
When he was not reading , learning or playing with his optics “ toys ,” Michael enjoyed the beauty of the great outdoors .
This scholarship awards either an Undergraduate or Graduate student and is generously funded by The Michael Pate Optical Sciences Endowed Memorial Scholarship Foundation .
ALYSSA BALLER
Alyssa graduated with her undergraduate degree in OSE in the spring and is completing the Accelerated Master ’ s Program this year . Her career interest involves the combination of Optical and Systems engineering . Thanks to the support of this scholarship , Alyssa can focus on her studies , but also the optics outreach program .
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