Fifteenth Anniversary
THE II-VI FOUNDATION CELEBRATES ITS FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY
In 2022 the II-VI Foundation celebrated fifteen years. In the first fifteen years almost $33 million was invested in our programs and over 17,000 students were impacted.
Recent years saw generous contributions to the foundation by Coherent Incorporated, a move of the staff to working from home, and our first virtual mini-conference. Our primary goal and emphasis has never altered. It remains that of our founders, Carl and Margot Johnson, “Encouraged and Enabling Students to Tenter a Career in Engineering, Science and Mathematics while Maintaining a Standard of Excellence in that Pursuit.”
An event celebrating out past fifteen years with pride and looking ahead with promise was held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh Cranberry. A few of the testimonials presented at the event are available below. It was joyfully announced at this event by our founder, Carl Johnson, that the name of the Foundation will be changed to Coherent / II-VI Foundation.
Scholarship Recipient Testimonials
First off, I would like to say ‘Thank You’ to the II-VI Foundation and all my mentors along the way. I am proud to say, I was one of the 2008-2012, II-VI Foundation Scholarship award recipients. The II-VI Foundation provided my family and I financial relief as I pursued my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
There is not a day that goes by where I do not tell my story of how I ended up in a successful career at II-VI Incorporated. It all started with my internship at II-VI Wide-Band Gap in the Pine Brook, NJ location. Along the way, I had many great mentors who I am forever grateful for teaching me how to apply my Mechanical Engineering studies in the workforce. As I progressed through my Undergraduate Degree, I stayed in touch with many at II-VI and continued to work Summers, Winters, Breaks, etc. After I completed my undergrad, I was offered a Full Time Position at II-VI Wide-Band Gap as a Process Engineer. I held a Process Engineering position for 6+ years until I took on another opportunity as Production Manager (still with II-VI). Fast forward to present day, I am currently holding a position as Site Lead, for II-VI Incorporated at the Pine Brook, NJ Facility.
Thank you again to Dr. Carl Johnson and the II-VI Foundation for providing me with the financial support and mentors along the way to have a successful career at II-VI Incorporated.
Steven Reynolds
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Class of 2014
Mechanical Engineering
