ROBERT “BOB” NOVAK MEMORIAL FUND
APOMA has established the Bob Novak Scholarship Fund in memory of our friend, founding APOMA member, and colleague. By supporting the optics manufacturing education that is his legacy, we hope you’ll join us in honoring Bob.
Bob was the heart of the Monroe Community College optics program. He dedicated a significant portion of his life’s work to training & educating students. Bob’s focus was always on students, connecting them to internships and job opportunities and ensuring that they were prepared for immediate employment. He continually reached out to employers for their assistance in keeping the curricula and labs updated and developed education and training tailored for incumbent workers. Bob always encouraged younger students to consider pursuing optics careers.
One of his accomplishments as MCC department chair was securing financial support and equipment from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Optics Manufacturers Association for the MCC optics programs. This resulted in extensive recognition to both the college and the Optics program and elevated MCC’s standing locally and nationally in the area of optical fabrication. With Bob’s influence, the MCC Optics department flourished and became a national force in the field of optics education.
