The Michael Pate Optical Science Memorial Scholarship Foundation was set-up in memory of Michael Pate, who was an optical engineer who was very passionate about teaching and learning throughout his career.

Michael Aubrey Pate, 49, of Lone Jack, MO, passed away at his home on November 7 after a two-year-long battle with cancer.

Michael was born February 20, 1961 in Burbank, CA to Willard Pate and Janice Garcia. His passion for football led him to Central Missouri State University on a full-ride football scholarship. While there, he met his future wife, Traci. Michael graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, minoring in Computer Science. After gaining an Executive MBA from the Paul Merage School of Business at University of California, Irvine and a Master’s of Science from Optical Sciences at University of Arizona, Michael began his own optical consulting company with 17 years of experience under his belt. Michael enjoyed designing, creating and teaching optics and illumination design. To date, Michael is credited with 34 patents for his inventions or co-inventions including Hewlett Packard’s LightScribe and other optics-based technologies.

Established in 2010, the Michael Pate Optical Sciences Memorial Scholarship Foundation is an annual scholarship disseminated to the most qualified collegiate engineering candidate once per year. Applications will be available in the Spring of each year by clicking on the link above.

In addition to providing one scholarship per year, the Michael Pate Optical Sciences Memorial Scholarship Foundation is looking to begin a mentorship program, partnering students with optical engineering mentors. If you're interested in becoming a mentor, please email mpscholarship@oscintl.com.

For more information about donating to this scholarship fund, please call Ashley at 541-255-2165 or reach us by email at mpscholarship@oscintl.com.

The Michael Pate Optical Sciences Memorial Scholarship Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.