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The following article was published in graphic As of January 15, 2024. Reposted here with permission.
National Technology Innovation Award winner Eric Swanson recently donated $25,000 to his alma mater, Amherst Regional High School.
Mr. Swanson coordinated the donation with Nathaniel Woodruff, director of ARHS’s Department of Engineering and Technology, who allocated the gift to the school’s engineering program. Mr. Woodruff received Mr. Swanson’s permission to apply the funds in a manner that would best benefit students. “With very few constraints, we knew the best way forward was to make a gift to the engineering department,” Swanson said.
Swanson has been an innovator for decades. In the early 1980s, Swanson worked on research in intersatellite laser communications, fiber optic communications networks, and biomedical optics at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, a large federally funded research and development center. Professor James Fujimoto of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology then invited Swanson to begin a collaboration with his interdisciplinary research group.
In 1991, the group published a groundbreaking paper in a prestigious journal. science, called “optical coherence tomography” and better known as OCT. By 1992, the group had created a clinical prototype and began in vivo human retinal imaging.
“OCT is a broad and powerful technology that will continue to positively impact millions of people by increasingly addressing pressing needs across medical and industrial imaging,” Swanson said. I am.
He and his colleagues recently received the National Medal for Technology and Innovation (NMTI), the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, which President Biden presented him with at a White House ceremony in October 2023.
“It was very surreal to be in the White House,” Swanson recalls. He had the opportunity to walk around his east wing and marvel at all of the historic paintings, photographs, and furnishings. Before the ceremony began, Swanson and his immediate family had a private moment to meet and chat with the president.
“It was so nice that he took the extra time to give me such a personal touch. The ceremony was also great. I still remember knowing that I was actually in the White House and receiving the medal from the president. It’s hard to understand,” Swanson said.
Mr. Swanson is very optimistic about how his donation will be used to support ARHS engineering funds and teachers. Many people find it incredible that he donated $25,000 to a public high school, but Swanson felt he wanted to give back to the high school he attended.
“More than 40 years later, I still have vivid memories of many wonderful teachers in all walks of life. Although none of them are still at ARHS, I am grateful for their hard work and inspiration. I just wanted to say, ‘Thank you,’” Swanson said, noting that all of his teachers at ARHS have had a huge impact on him and helped him become the person he is today.
“I feel that K-12 education is one of the most important areas in society, and I believe there are far more challenges for teachers and administrators today than there were in the past. “Gifts will help a little bit,” he said.
Swanson said he was an “academically average student” while attending ARHS, but when he was accepted to Massachusetts Amherst, he decided to take his studies more seriously.
Swanson remembers taking words of encouragement from one of his engineering professors to heart. Wave your hand,” he said. “But if you fall behind, it can be very difficult to catch up.”
He studied hard, attended all his classes, read the textbook chapters before lectures, did all his homework, and continued to persevere. After his four years at Massachusetts Amherst, Swanson graduated in electrical engineering with all A’s except one for his A-.
This allowed Swanson to earn a full scholarship to graduate school at MIT. “I think it’s important for graduating seniors to remember and cherish that college is a new start,” Swanson said.
Swanson currently lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife. He has two grown children of his own, his daughter lives nearby and his son lives in Seattle. In his free time, he enjoys spending time in nature, playing sports and games, boating, traveling, listening to music, and making amateur films.
In addition to providing financial support to ARHS, Mr. Swanson today had some words of advice and encouragement for ARHS students. “Work hard and try to work for a boss or mentor that you can trust, respect and learn from,” he said. “Value lifelong learning. Be curious. And be kind.”
For more Q&A with Swanson, click here.
Nipuni Dayarathne is a fourth-year student at ARHS and a member of Sara Barber-Just Journalistic Writing.
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