The following article appeared in The Graphic of January 15, 2024. It is reposted right here with permission.

Eric Swanson, winner of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI), not too long ago donated $25,000 to Amherst Regional High School, his alma mater. 

Swanson earmarked the donation to the varsity’s engineering applications, coordinating the reward with Nathaniel Woodruff, ARHS’s engineering and expertise division head. Woodruff has Swanson’s go-ahead to use the funds in a method that can most profit college students. “I was convinced that giving the gift to the engineering department, with very few restrictions, was the best path to take,” mentioned Swanson.

Swanson has been an innovator for many years. In the early Nineteen Eighties, Swanson labored on inter-satellite laser communication, fiber optical communication networks, and biomedical optics at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, a big, federally funded analysis and improvement heart. MIT professor James Fujimoto then invited Swanson to start collaborating along with his multidisciplinary analysis group. 

In 1991, this group printed a landmark article within the prestigious journal Science, known as “Optical Coherence Tomography,” higher referred to as OCT. By 1992, this group created a medical prototype and started doing in vivo human retinal imaging.

“OCT is a broad and powerful technology that will increasingly address pressing needs throughout medical and industrial imaging and will continue to have a positive effect on millions of people,” mentioned Swanson. 

He and his colleagues not too long ago gained the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, which was bestowed by President Biden at a White House ceremony in October of 2023.

“It was very surreal entering the White House,” recalled Swanson. He had an opportunity to wander across the East Wing and marvel in any respect the historic work, pictures, and furnishings. Before the ceremony began, Swanson and his rapid household had some non-public time to satisfy and chat with the president. 

“It was very nice of him to take that extra time and personal touch. The ceremony was wonderful too. It’s still hard for me to fathom that I was actually in the White House and received a medal from the president,” mentioned Swanson.

Swanson could be very optimistic about how his donation can be used to fund engineering and assist lecturers at ARHS. Many discover it unbelievable {that a} donation of $25,000 was given to a public highschool however Swanson felt that he wished to offer again to the highschool he attended. 

“I can vividly recall so many wonderful teachers in every subject area even though it has been over 40 years. Even though none of them are still at ARHS, I wanted to say ‘thank you’ for their effort and inspiration,” mentioned Swanson, noting that each one his lecturers at ARHS influenced him significantly, serving to him to change into who he’s right this moment.  

“I feel K-12 education is one of the most important areas in society and I am sure there are far more challenges for teachers and administrators today than in the past, and maybe this gift will help a little,” he mentioned.

When Swanson attended ARHS he mentioned he was an “average student academically” and when he was accepted to UMass Amherst, he determined to extra critically decide to his college work.

Swanson recollects considered one of his engineering professors providing encouraging phrases that he took to coronary heart: “Doing well in courses is kind of like surfing: if you paddle hard at the beginning before the big wave then it is not that hard to stay in front of the wave,” he mentioned. “But if you get behind, it can be really difficult to catch up.”

He strove to work very onerous, attend all his lessons, learn the textbook chapters forward of lectures, do all his homework, and hold making an attempt to persevere. After 4 years at UMass Amherst Swanson graduated in Electrical Engineering with all A’s apart from one A-. 

This led to Swanson incomes a full scholarship to enter graduate research at MIT. ”I believe it’s vital for graduating seniors to recollect and worth that school can be a recent begin,” mentioned Swanson.

Swanson presently lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts along with his spouse. He has two grown youngsters, a daughter who lives close by him and a son who lives in Seattle. In his free time, he enjoys being out in nature, enjoying sports activities and video games, boating, touring, listening to music, and beginner filmmaking. 

In addition to providing monetary assist to ARHS, Swanson had some phrases of recommendation and encouragement for ARHS college students right this moment. “Work hard and try to work for bosses/mentors you trust, admire, and can learn from,” he mentioned. “Embrace lifelong learning. Be curious. And be kind.”

For an much more detailed Q&A with Swanson, click on here.

Nipuni Dayarathne is a senior at ARHS and a member of Sara Barber-Just’s Journalistic Writing.