OSA Headquarters Gets a New Nameplate
by Stewart Wills
OSA marked the first day of Frontiers in Optics 2017 in a particularly meaningful way: By formally dedicating its newly renovated headquarters building in Washington, D.C., in honor of Jarus W. Quinn, who served as the society’s first executive director from 1972 to 1994. The building’s dedication, originally announced last December, adds the name of Quinn prominently to the official front door of The Optical Society—an organization that owes much of what it is today to changes during Quinn’s tenure.
Balloons, art and a holographic Corvette
The christening ceremony for the Jarus W. Quinn Building—which underwent a top-to-bottom revamp during 2016 and early 2017—began outside of the building, which was temporarily adorned by a display of three giant balloons spelling “OSA.” As the balloons swayed in a sometimes brisk wind, a variety of luminaries, including past OSA presidents and officers, emeritus employees, and longtime OSA volunteers, mingled with current staff and with members of Quinn’s extended family.
OSA’s chief executive, Elizabeth Rogan, remembered Quinn’s contributions, alluding to OSA’s recent Centennial celebration. “He wanted this organization to live way past a hundred, and here we are today,” Rogan said. She cited Quinn’s accomplishments in helping to create a sustainable, internally managed publishing operation, increasing the organization’s financial strength, and boosting its influence worldwide. “He did such a great job in increasing our global influence, that more than half of our members now are from outside of the U.S.,” she observed.
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Posted: 20 Sep 2017 by Stewart Wills