Jean M. Bennett (1930–2008) was the first woman president of
The Optical Society
Optica, founded as the Optical Society of America (later the Optical Society), is a professional society of individuals and companies with an interest in optics and photonics. It publishes journals, organizes conferences and exhibitions, and ca ...
in 1986.
She died on July 18, 2008, in Ridgecrest, CA after a long illness. She was 78. Bennett received her PhD in physics from
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsyl ...
in 1955, and spent most of her career at the Naval Weapons Center (now the Naval Air Warfare Center) at China Lake, CA.
Bennett was an editor for ''
Applied Optics
''Applied Optics'' is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Optica three times a month. It was established in 1962 with John N. Howard as founding editor-in-chief and Patricia Wakeling as managing editor. Wakeling worked on the journal ...
'' and
''Optics Expres''s.
In recognition for her contributions to the studies of optical surfaces OSA established the Jean Bennett Memorial Student Travel Grant.
Awards and recognition
* In 1994 she was named a Distinguished Fellow of the
Naval Weapons Center and won their L.T.E. Thompson Award for scientific achievements in optics technology in 1988.
* She received the
David Richardson Medal
The David Richardson Medal is awarded by the Optical Society (formerly the Optical Society of America) to recognize contributions to optical engineering, primarily in the commercial and industrial sector. The award was first made in 1966 to its nam ...
from The Optical Society (OSA) in 1990 for her "sustained contributions to the studies of optical surfaces that have provided the optics community with a more thorough understanding of optical surface phenomenology and a meticulous methodology for surface characterization." She also became an OSA Fellow in 1972.
* In 1988 the
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology established the Jean Bennett Award, given annually to a senior for excellence in optics.
* She received the
SPIE
SPIE (formerly the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers, later the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers) is an international not-for-profit professional society for optics and photonics technology, founded in 1955. It ...
Technology Achievement Award in 1983 for "the development of practical instrumentation for optical surface quality metrology, and for dedicated service and guidance to the optics industry."
See also
*
Optical Society of America#Past Presidents of the OSA
References
External links
Articles Published by early OSA Presidents Journal of the Optical Society of America
In Memorian: Jean M. Bennett
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bennett, Jean M.
20th-century American physicists
American optical physicists
Presidents of Optica (society)
Fellows of Optica (society)
1930 births
2008 deaths
Women in optics
Eberly College of Science alumni
American women physicists
21st-century American women
20th-century American women scientists