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Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award

Learn more about the award and its establishment

Information and deadlines for nominations

View the members

Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award

Presented to individuals who, over an extended period of time, have served Optica in an outstanding way, especially through volunteer participation in its management, operation or planning in such ways as editorship of a periodical, organization of meetings, or other service to Optica. 

The award was established in 1973 by the Board of Directors in memory of Stephen M. MacNeille and is endowed by the American Optical Corporation and contributions from individual members. In 2013, the award was named in honor of Stephen D. Fantone.

Winners

2024

Joseph N Mait

Joseph N Mait

For decades of dedicated service and leadership across multiple Optica programs, including introducing innovative programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion awareness processes for Optica publications and conferences

2023

Alexander L Gaeta

Alexander L Gaeta

For his role as founding editor-in chief of "Optica" and his commitment to excellence in the optics and photonics community.

2022

Joseph A Izatt

Joseph A Izatt

For over 25 years of outstanding service to the optics community and Optica in areas as diverse as publications, conferences, strategic planning, and the Optica Board of Directors.

2021

Anthony M Johnson

Anthony M Johnson

For decades of principled leadership and steadfast service to The Optical Society and to the optics community, and especially for serving as a tireless ambassador for OSA

2020

Susan N Houde-Walter

Susan N Houde-Walter

For outstanding service to the Society through numerous advisory and leadership roles, including 2005 President, Board of Directors Member and Chair of the Optics and Photonics News Editorial Advisory Committee

2018

Robert M Jopson

Robert M Jopson

For 25 years of enthusiastic service, principled leadership, and tenacious commitment to OSA's publications, conferences, processes, and especially its membership

2016

G. Michael Morris

G. Michael Morris

For extraordinary contributions to the OSA, including distinguished service as OSA President and a key role in the formation and leadership of the OSA Foundation

2014

Anthony J Campillo

Anthony J Campillo

For sustained leadership, vision, and considerable voluntary attention to the quality and impact of OSA publications

2012

Joseph H Eberly

Joseph H Eberly

For outstanding service as founding editor of the groundbreaking journal, Optics Express, leadership while serving as President, and his deep commitment in serving OSA in many other ways

2010

Gary C Bjorklund

Gary C Bjorklund

For long and distinguished service to the optics profession, including extraordinary leadership in guiding the OSA Foundation through its initial years and leading it to an impressive set of accomplishments

2008

Bahaa E A Saleh

Bahaa E A Saleh

For distinguished service to the Optical Society of America and the optics and photonics community, and for leadership in the area of publications

2007

Stephen D Fantone

Stephen D Fantone

For outstanding vision, leadership and service in setting the financial policies and procedures for the Society that provide financial stability and opportunity

2004

Alexander A Sawchuk

Alexander A Sawchuk

For 23 years of dedicated service to the Optical Society of America including vital contributions to publications, meetings, international relations, and general governance

2002

Boris P Stoicheff

Boris P Stoicheff *

For exceptional volunteer service to OSA over three decades including the Presidency, the Board of Directors, the Publications Council, the Society Objectives and Planning Committee, and various other committees

1998

Paul L Kelley

Paul L Kelley *

In recognition of three decades of service to the optical community. He has been a major contributor to a transformation in the dissemination of technical information, in the organization of meeting on optical science and technology, and in OSA itself. His wisdom, consideration, and intellectual integrity are esteemed by all

1994

F. Dow Smith

F. Dow Smith *

For his contributions to the health of the optics community as a member of numerous committees, chair of Technical Council, treasure, and president of the Society

1993

Jarus W Quinn

Jarus W Quinn *

For nearly a quarter-century of enthusiastic service and leadership in the scientific community as executive director of the Optical Society of America

1988

Franklin S Harris  Jr.

Franklin S Harris Jr. *

For dedicated service to the technical community as an indexer of optical literature

1987

John N Howard

John N Howard *

For service to the Society during a quarter century as editor of Applied Optics

1985

Karl G Kessler

Karl G Kessler *

For service to the Society, including his presidency in 1969, as well as service to the broader community of optical scientists and engineers through research, and leadership of the research efforts in atomic and molecular physics at the National Bureau of Standards

1973

Mary E Warga

Mary E Warga *

In appreciation of her advancement of the field of optics by her long devotion to the Society's affairs, in token acknowledgment of the multitude of friendly contacts that she has personally fostered in the Society's behalf, in gratitude for her so ably representing the Society in inter-society affairs, and in sincere recognition of the high esteem in which she is held by her many friends and colleagues

* Deceased

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