Meadowlark Optics Founder Honored by SPIE

Tom Baur, Founder and Chief Scientist at Meadowlark Optics, is one of 47 SPIE Fellows in 2024

Meadowlark Optics (Meadowlark) is proud to share that SPIE (the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers) has honored Tom Baur with the distinction of SPIE Fellow and will acknowledge him at the Photonics West conference later this month. Baur is among 47 outstanding Senior Members who were named for 2024 because of their dedication not only to SPIE but also to their field.

Since the 1970s, Tom Baur has been faithful to optical science and the community, working through Meadowlark Optics with many organizations and agencies to advance research in astronomy, physics, aerospace, and more. In addition, he has contributed both time and scholarships to Colorado colleges and universities to promote the future of optics and photonics. Undoubtedly, his colleagues at Meadowlark Optics believe the SPIE Fellowship to be well deserved.

Baur reflected, “Receiving the Fellow award was a surprise and an honor. There are many people I admire who are in this club of honorees. One of them, Joe Shaw, is the person responsible for nominating me for this Fellow designation.” 

He refers to Joseph Shaw, Ph.D., Director of the Optical Technology Center at Montana State University. Professor Shaw offered, “When I realized last year that Tom had never been nominated as a Fellow of SPIE, I was excited at the opportunity to do so. Tom has been a highly accomplished and influential member for many years. Many of us in the optical polarization community have greatly benefitted from Tom’s insight and leadership. It was our honor to speak on his behalf so that he can now be recognized in this way.”

The SPIE Fellows Committee, authorized by the SPIE Board of Directors, annually reviews and recommends members for promotion to Fellow. Eligible candidates, who must be Senior Members, are evaluated in three categories: technical contributions, contributions to the optical community, and service to SPIE, considering various roles within the organization. The deadline for SPIE Fellow nominations is September 15, with materials accepted until October 1.

Meet Tom and other members of the Meadowlark team at Photonics West January 27 – February 1. For more information, contact Kelly Gregorak at 303.433.8333 or [email protected].