{"id":2056,"date":"2025-10-07T11:43:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T15:43:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/?p=2056"},"modified":"2025-10-07T11:43:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T15:43:59","slug":"historic-investment-into-mccs-optical-systems-technology-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/2025\/10\/07\/historic-investment-into-mccs-optical-systems-technology-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Historic Investment into MCC\u2019s Optical Systems Technology Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

ROCHESTER, N.Y. \u2014 October 7, 2025<\/strong> \u2014 Monroe Community College (MCC) and the MCC Foundation today announced three transformative philanthropic investments that will strengthen the nation\u2019s first associate degree Optical Systems Technology program awarded by a community college.<\/p>\n

In recognition of their $3 million investment into MCC\u2019s optics program, MCC\u2019s new Advanced Technology Center (ATC) will be named the Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center<\/strong>. In addition, longtime optics industry leaders John and Barbara Bruning<\/strong> are establishing the Barbara and John H. Bruning Optical Systems Technology Endowed Directorship<\/strong> with an endowed gift of $1 million to support the leadership of the program. And, in another milestone for the program, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, has invested $150,000 to name a new SPIE Optical Systems Lab<\/strong> within the new facility.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are extraordinarily grateful to our partners, Sydor Optics, John and Barbara Bruning, and SPIE, for\u00a0investing in bright futures for our community,\u201d said Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, Monroe Community College President. \u201cWhen students walk into the Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center, they will experience firsthand MCC\u2019s commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities that transform lives and strengthen our region \u2013 made possible through visionary industry partnerships that fuel opportunity and drive innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJim, Jonathan, and Matthew Sydor\u2019s multi-generational commitment and John and Barbara Bruning\u2019s endowment are both inspiring and integral to the MCC Foundation\u2019s mission,\u201d said Gretchen Wood, MCC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and MCC Foundation Executive Director. \u201cTheir investments set a powerful example of how others can partner with MCC to strengthen programs and expand opportunities that fuel both individual success and regional growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

In April 2025, MCC broke ground on the $69 million ATC at the Brighton Campus. The project was made possible through a more than $34 million investment from Monroe County, led by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and the County Legislature, which includes a more than $3.5 million federal grant spearheaded by Congressman Joe Morelle, as well as a more than $34 million investment from New York State led by Governor Kathy Hochul. The 110,000-square-foot facility, opening Fall 2026, will expand MCC\u2019s advanced technology programs, offering hands-on training in optical systems technology, precision tooling, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning service, automotive technology, and renewable energy through a new solar lab.<\/p>\n

Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u201cFounded in 1964 by my father, Stefan Sydor, Sydor Optics has always been driven by innovation and passion for the field of optics,\u201d said Jim Sydor, Chairman of Sydor Optics. \u201cMy father was a pioneer whose vision helped shape Rochester\u2019s reputation as the optics capital of the world, and I have been proud to carry that vision forward with my sons, Jonathan and Matthew, who now represent the third generation of our family business. For us, this investment is not just about naming a building\u2014it\u2019s about ensuring that MCC students have the tools, training, and opportunities to succeed in an industry that has defined our family and region for decades. We could not be more proud to continue this legacy and invest in a program that is vital to Rochester\u2019s optics ecosystem and to the future of this industry we love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jim Sydor, Class of 1971, is a proud member of the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame and the recipient of the MCC Foundation\u2019s prestigious Salute to Excellence Award, which recognizes his outstanding philanthropic leadership and the transformative impact of private giving. His son, Jonathan Sydor, graduated in 2013, and another son, Matthew, also studied at MCC. For more than 22 years, the Sydor family has been deeply committed to MCC\u2019s optics program, where their generosity has led to remarkable results, including 100% job placement for graduates.<\/p>\n

Barbara and John H. Bruning Optical Systems Technology Endowed Directorship<\/strong><\/h4>\n

John and Barbara Bruning\u2019s endowed gift of $1 million will establish the Barbara and John H. Bruning Optical Systems Technology Endowed Directorship, ensuring sustainable leadership for MCC\u2019s distinctive optics program. The directorship is currently held by Dr. Alexis Vogt, celebrating her 10th year at MCC, who has been instrumental in growing the program by 2,260% from 5 students in Fall 2014 to 138 in Fall 2025.<\/p>\n

John Bruning, a pioneer in the optics industry, is recognized worldwide for his contributions to the field. With 26 patents, groundbreaking research at Bell Labs, and leadership roles at Tropel and Corning, Bruning\u2019s work has transformed modern microchip manufacturing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been continually inspired by Dr. Alexis Vogt\u2014her passion for optics, her excellence in teaching, and her ability to place MCC on the international stage through conferences, industry participation and leadership,\u201d said John Bruning. \u201cIt is her vision and dedication that showed us this program is worthy of our investment. By endowing the directorship in her name, we hope to ensure her work continues to elevate MCC, its students, and the optics industry for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

SPIE Optical Systems Lab<\/strong><\/h4>\n

With a $150,000 investment, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, will name a new SPIE Optical Systems Lab within the Sydor Optics ATC. Having an internationally recognized name in the halls of MCC\u2019s program underscores its growing global relevance.<\/p>\n

\u201cSPIE is deeply committed to the future of optics and photonics technology,\u201d said SPIE CEO Kent Rochford. \u201cWe have a particular focus on supporting the education and training of optics technicians, something we\u2019ve already worked closely on with Monroe Community College and Professor Alexis Vogt. I\u2019m delighted to be sharing this news today, and look forward to appreciating the work of the technicians who will be receiving hands-on training at MCC\u2019s new SPIE Optical Systems Lab and building the optical systems of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

This announcement comes just weeks before SPIE OptiFab, North America\u2019s largest optical fabrication exhibition, returns to Rochester, bringing optics leaders from around the world to the community. The Rochester community benefits greatly from SPIE\u2019s presence in Rochester \u2014 from exposure to more than 150 exhibiting companies to opportunities to connect with industry leaders, see optical fabrication products in action, and make meaningful professional connections.<\/p>\n

SPIE OptiFab begins on Tuesday, October 21, through Thursday, October 23, and is held at the Joseph A. Floreano Riverside Convention Center.<\/p>\n

About Monroe Community College
\n<\/strong>Monroe Community College (MCC), based in Monroe County, New York, was founded in 1961 and is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) System. With four main campuses, MCC offers more than 100 degree, credit, and non-credit programs. MCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), is a member of the League of Innovation in the Community College, and is one of ten community colleges participating in the Aspen College Institute\u2019s Unlocking Opportunity: The Post-Graduation Success and Equity Network.<\/p>\n

The Monroe Community College Foundation<\/strong> is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit organization. The Monroe Community College Foundation seeks philanthropic investment to advance achievement, innovation, and the mission of excellence at the College. To learn more about the MCC Foundation, available scholarships, and how to contribute, visit the MCC website at www.monroecc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. \u2014 October 7, 2025 \u2014 Monroe Community College (MCC) and the MCC Foundation today announced three transformative philanthropic investments that will strengthen the nation\u2019s first associate degree Optical Systems Technology program awarded by a community college. In recognition of their $3 million investment into MCC\u2019s optics program, MCC\u2019s new Advanced Technology Center (ATC) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":718,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,3],"tags":[113,165,126,21,51,166,167,7],"class_list":["post-2056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-news","category-mcc-foundation","tag-alexis-vogt","tag-fundraising","tag-monroe-community-college","tag-optics","tag-philanthropy","tag-spie","tag-sydor-optics","tag-workforce-development"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/718"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2056"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2058,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2056\/revisions\/2058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.monroecc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}