OPTICS CLASS of 2007 – “A REAL TRIPLE PLAY”

Look at the image above and you might think you are looking at some sort of Photoshop™ digital-photography magic. No your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Included among this year’s Optical Systems Technology program graduating class were the Balonek brothers. Identical triplets with a passion for Technology.

Daniel, Gregory and Robert pictured above, recently completed the nationally recognized Optics program at MCC with very impressive GPAs of 4.0, 3.98 and 3.85 respectively.

With grades like that, it is little wonder that in May they were awarded almost $3000 each from the Stephen Harbou Memorial Scholarship fund to continue their chosen education.

The money will come in handy as all three brothers have been accepted to the University of Rochester for the Fall 2007 semester. They will continue their education at the elite Institute of Optics at the U of R, where they will pursue advanced degrees in Optics, Imaging and Electronics.

In addition the three will have the opportunity to continue to work part-time at the University’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) where they have been employed since high-school.

Having excelled in academics for the past several years, each of the brothers was asked their impression of the education they received at MCC.

“I joined the Optics program because of my experience working at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. I thought Optics would be a good program to get into after I heard from Professor Robert Novak (Optical Systems Program Coordinator) that in the United States they only graduate about 300 optics majors a year.”

“I feel that the MCC Optics program has prepared me with practical knowledge to get out into the working world.”

“At MCC I have been working in the Engineering Technology Learning Center. The ETLC has become like a second home to me as it always gives me a place to study and to seek help when necessary.”

“The professors at MCC are the best resource at the college. They are very approachable and will provide you with help as long as you make the effort to try and learn the material.”

Gregory Balonek
Major: Optical Systems Technology
GPA 3.98

“I really liked the Optics program here at MCC. I think there needs to be more of an emphasis on the Math advising end. Encourage more people to take the higher level math courses like Pre-Calc, Calc I and II; even though Tech Math is the basic requirement in the Optics program. Overall, in the Technology programs there is a deeper level of understanding of the subject material than the Engineering Science program.”

“The Optics program gives you a practical education you can actually use. Just because it’s a two-year degree doesn't mean that you have to stop your education. I feel a degree in Optics is attainable by anyone willing to work for it. The Optics field seems like its dying at MCC, but after attending both the OptiFab and the OSA conventions here in Rochester I can say the Optics industry is here to stay and is clamoring for professionals in the field.”

Robert Balonek
Major: Optical Systems Technology / Electrical Engineering Technology
GPA: 3.85

“Here at MCC I really enjoyed the electro-optics class because of the practical applications of optics and optical components. We went from simple LED circuits to CCD TV cameras, measuring objects that could not be seen by the naked eye.”

“I enjoyed my Electrical Engineering Technology classes with Professor Ambrosio, learning about compatibility issues of different families of logic chips.”

“I feel that the Optics Program was a great experience as I learned the set up of simple optical systems such as telescopes, as well as larger interferometer wave front testers.”

“The beginning electrical classes provide a very solid foundation not only in theory but practical applications. With my degree from MCC in Optical Systems Technology I know that optics is much more in-depth than just eyeglasses.”

Regarding future plans:

“After MCC I am planning on transferring to the University of Rochester for a degree in Optics. This degree should take me another two years at the U of R, after that I plan on earning a Master’s degree, and then a PhD in Optics.”

“Over the summers I have had the opportunity to work at the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics as an amplifier technician. I am responsible for building and installing the components of the laser amplifier. The material that I have learned in my degree at MCC has coincided with the applications/work at the LLE.”

“After schooling I would like to work in a research field or in high-end custom optics.”

Gregory

“I am planning on attending the University of Rochester to complete a bachelor’s degree in Optics and it will probably take about 3 years to complete the degree.”

“I have also had the opportunity to work every summer at the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics as an amplifier technician. With a degree in Optics I will now be working with the more advanced optics tables at the lab, taking measurements and aligning system critical optics.”   

Robert

“I am going to be transferring to the University of Rochester in the fall. My major will be in Optics with a minor in Electronics. My career goals include working in the field of Electro-optics with the emerging field of light emitting semiconductors and diodes. I also foresee starting my own business selling and distributing custom lighting solutions.”

“I also currently have the opportunity to work over the summer at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics. My work has led me to building the laser amplifiers in a Class-100 clean room for the new Omega EP project.”

The triplets reside in the town of Stafford, N.Y., and before coming to MCC the three graduated with honors from Byron-Bergen high-school in 2005. Daniel was ranked 4th in his high-school class while Gregory and Robert also finished near the top of the class.

At least one MCC employee who has worked with the brothers for the past two years feels he knows why they are so accomplished academically.

According to Scott Smith, a Technician at the college who has hired scores of student aides over the years, and who hired the triplets, to work in the Engineering Technologies laboratories at MCC. “They obviously come from a family that stressed the importance of education. I think that, coupled with their work ethic and dedication to detail, is the reason that they are so successful. They are really bright kids with broad interests and I will miss seeing them down in the lab area.”

Story and Photo By: S. A. Smith,
Sr. Technician, Engineering Technologies Dept.
©2007 all rights reserved

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