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MCC Daily Tribune

Passing of Martin Dvorin, Professor Emeritus in Optical Technology

I am saddened to inform the College community that Professor Emeritus Martin Dvorin, formerly of MCC's Optical Technology Department, passed away on March 11, 2019.

After a successful career in the private sector, Martin joined MCC in 1966 as an adjunct faculty and began his full-time career as professor in Optical Technology in 1968. During his tenure, he briefly served as dean of Engineering Technologies, assistant dean in the Division of Engineering Related Curricula, and department chair.

He was regarded as an inspiring and effective educator who was dedicated to his students, always brought creativity and enthusiasm to the classroom and maintained strong ties with the optics industry. His expertise in the field and robust relationships with Rochester-area employers were invaluable in the development of MCC's Optical Engineering Technology A.A.S. degree program in 1971. Today, the program is considered the oldest in the nation.

In the 1970s when optics technicians were in high demand, student enrollment in the MCC program increased rapidly. The program's success was attributable, in large part, to Martin's efforts. He kept curricula relevant and stayed abreast with industry developments. Due in large part to his work over the years, Martin also brought extensive recognition to both the College and the program and elevated MCC's standing locally and nationally in the area of optical technology. Holder of several patents, he was widely published and a popular lecturer in his field.

His service to the College included serving on the Educational Policies Committee and the steering committee for the Secondary-Post Secondary Articulation Project.

He was also a member of the Optical Society of America, Rochester Engineering Society, and Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Upon his retirement in 1980 after nearly 15 years of service, he was accorded the rank of professor emeritus.

Martin served in the Navy during World War II, having been honorably discharged in 1946 as a machinists' mate, first class. He received a master's degree in optics from University of Rochester, bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Newark (N.J.) College of Engineering, and an associate degree in marine engineering from Wentworth Institute in Boston. He also studied at Stevens Institute of Technology and Rutgers Institute.

Martin was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Harriette. He is survived by daughters Miriam Dvorin (Rex) Spross and Rebecca Dvorin (Fred) Strong, brother Robert (Vicki), and granddaughter Emma Dvorin Strong.

His obituary is posted on The Jewish News of Northern California website: https://www.jweekly.com/2019/03/21/deaths-for-the-week-of-march-22-2019/

PHOTO CAPTION:

In 2016, the student-led Optics Club organized a Skype session with Martin Dvorin, who was then living in California. The virtual experience allowed MCC program students and faculty to learn more about his contributions to the College and provided alumni -- his former students -- an opportunity to reconnect with him.

Attached Files:
Optics Club 2016.JPG

Anne Kress
Office of the President
03/26/2019