Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a leader in materials, networking, and
lasers, today announced a $500,000 sponsorship of two educational
initiatives targeted to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion
(DEI) in entrepreneurship, innovation, and advanced technology: the
HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative by Leadership
Needed Foundation and the Optica Foundation Amplify Scholarship for
Black scientists.
The HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation
initiative by Leadership Needed Foundation aims to assist
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority
institutions (HBCU/MIs) in developing a comprehensive
entrepreneurship curriculum that is particularly relevant in
preparing African American and other minority young men and women
to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and become leaders and
entrepreneurs.
Founded in 1916, Optica is the leading organization for
scientists, engineers, business professionals, students, and others
interested in the science of light. Optica’s renowned publications,
meetings, online resources, and in-person activities fuel
discoveries, shape real-life applications, and accelerate
scientific, technical, and educational achievement. Additionally,
the Optica Foundation focuses on the next generation of innovators
and technologists to cultivate a diverse workforce able to address
global challenges. Each year, Black undergraduate and graduate
students receive scholarships from the Optica Foundation to ease
the financial burden of college, and other benefits including a
one-year membership to Optica, access to mentors, and an invitation
to the 2024 Amplify Optics Immersion Program.
On April 19, 2024, Dr. Vincent D. (Chuck) Mattera, Jr.,
Coherent’s Chair and CEO, spoke at the 2024 HBCU/MI
Entrepreneurship and Innovation event at the Westin Peachtree Plaza
Hotel in Atlanta. Dr. Mattera outlined Coherent’s commitment of
funding, equipment, and expertise to the HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship
and Innovation initiative and received the 2024 Outstanding
Supporter of the HBCU/MI Award on behalf of Coherent.
“Potential is universal; resources are not,” said Dr. Mattera.
“The single greatest privilege I have had in my career is helping
develop talent. I have taught classes at an HBCU, and that
experience reminds me that our greatest human talents are unleashed
by giving free rein to imagination. It is our responsibility to
help create opportunities for young people in love with discovery
and possibility. We will work with HBCU/MIs and the Optica
Foundation to expand the reach of the life-changing work they do.
This is a major opportunity to strengthen America’s role in laser
design, manufacturing, and applications.”
Coherent will work with the HBCU/MI initiative’s team to develop
training programs for educators to build advanced degree and
certification programs for laser technology. In addition to
expertise, Coherent is providing $375,000 in funding and donations
of equipment, supplies, and material to support the academic
programs.
“CEO of HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Leadership
Needed Foundation Dr. Mohammad Bhuiyan and Honorary Chair General
Larry Ellis (Ret. U.S. Army) are very pleased with the partnership
and positive support from Coherent Corp. and its Chair and CEO Dr.
Chuck Mattera to help HBCU/MI institutions to become leaders in
laser technology and provide a trained workforce that would be
badly needed in the coming future,” said a spokesperson for
HBCU/MI. “This partnership will not only help Coherent Corp. and
HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship & Innovation achieve their respective
goals but will also make a significant impact on national
security.”
In addition, Coherent has pledged $125,000 toward the Optica
Foundation Amplify Scholarship for Black scientists. Launched in
2021, the Amplify Scholarship is a global program that has awarded
scholarships to 35 Black science and engineering students
representing 21 countries. The notable year-over-year increase in
applicants, including women, highlights the strong interest in
photonics and optics among engineering students from underserved
populations. Coherent’s support will enable the Optica Foundation
to increase the individual scholarship awards from $7,500 to
$10,000 and extend the financial foundation for continued
scholarships into the next decade. Coherent is also a proud
supporter of the Optica Women Scholars program.
“Coherent’s donation to our Amplify Scholarship reflects a
mutual commitment to inclusion and excellence in photonics with the
Optica Foundation,” said Eric Mazur, Optica Foundation Chair,
Harvard University. “It supports emerging scholars, emphasizing the
role of varied perspectives in driving innovation. This partnership
aligns with our core values and fortifies the global optics and
photonics community for the challenges ahead.”
“True leadership transcends profit margins and rankings; it is
also measured by the opportunities we create and the futures we
nurture to enable sustained technology leadership,” said Lisa
Neal-Graves, HBCU Alum and Coherent Board Member. “Coherent is
doing this today through our commitment to organizations that
create opportunities for Black science and engineering students to
pursue the lives they dream about, strengthen our workforce, and
drive generational change through enduring educational
programs.”
About Coherent
Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through
breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver
innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified
applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and
instrumentation markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania,
Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales,
service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more
information, please visit us at coherent.com.
HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Initiative
The HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative aims to
assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority
institutions in developing a comprehensive entrepreneurship
curriculum that is particularly relevant in preparing African
American and other minority young men and women to develop an
entrepreneurial mindset and become leaders and entrepreneurs. The
program aims to stimulate student interest in entrepreneurship and
provide them with the experience of conceiving business ventures
and preparing effective business plans. Additionally, it offers
training and networking opportunities to existing businesses in the
HBCU communities, enabling them to move to the next level and
contributing to the reduction of the wealth gap. This initiative
brings together HBCU/MI presidents/chancellors along with business,
foundation, entrepreneurial, government, military, and other
leaders to focus on the advancement of HBCU/MIs. Each year, the
program selects a special theme to support HBCU/MIs. For more
information, please visit us at hbcumiei.org.
Optica Foundation
Established in 2002, the Optica Foundation carries out
charitable activities in support of the society’s student and early
career members. We cultivate the next generation of leaders and
innovators as they navigate advanced degree programs and become
active members of research, engineering, and business communities
worldwide. The foundation also works to secure the endowments for
Optica’s awards and honors programs. The foundation is registered
as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. For more information,
visit optica.org/foundation.
Contact:
Amy WilsonManager, Corporate
Communicationscorporate.communications@coherent.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4a42160-f61a-40ea-8005-a26bfa6d6bb6
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