8 | THELAKER campus happenings Three-peat grad gives advice to Class of 2024 Commencement keynote speaker Rick Plympton ’83, ’85, CEO of Optimax, told the Class of 2024 that advice from a librarian put him on the path to running the largest manufacturer of precision optics in the U.S. “As a young adult, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I seriously considered learning to drive semis and being a truck driver, anything to get out of town,” he began. “My neighbor was a well-educated librarian, and she convinced me to give college a try.” Rick started his education in Florida but admitted to spending more time on the beach than in class. He came home, enrolled in FLCC and buckled down, earning three associate degrees: business administration, computer science and engineering science. His physics professor steered him to an optics bachelor’s program at the University of Rochester, a path that led him to Optimax when it was a startup in a barn. In the years since, Rick has advised the U.S. Commerce Department on a standard for high-quality jobs. He has also received several business awards and the FLCC Distinguished Alumni Award. It all started with good advice from two people, he noted. “If you think about your personal journey, I’m sure someone has provided you with advice and encouragement,” Rick said. “Do yourself a favor and take a moment to reach out and thank them.” President Robert Nye jokes with Alexander Whitcomb ’24 of Macedon during commencement in May. Alexander was recognized as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa All New York Academic Team. PHOTOS BY RIKKI VANCAMP Keynote speaker Rick Plympton ’83, ’85, CEO of Optimax, a Wayne County optics manufacturer, congratulates the class of 2024. Maureen Maas-Feary, professor of humanities, led the processional.
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