From the Duke News Service

April 23, 2001

OptXCon Inc., a Research Triangle Park-based company developing optical communications products, has become an associate partner in the Fitzpatrick Center for Photonics and Communication Systems at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering.

In announcing the alliance Monday, Pratt Dean Kristina Johnson said OptXCon will contribute $150,000 over three years to the center, which is a collaboration principally funded by industry, government and private donors.

The center will focus research and teaching on light-wave communications systems and components and other advanced technological systems combining light and electronics.

As an associate partner in the Fitzpatrick Center, OptXCon will have membership on the center's Industrial Advisory Board and assist in setting the strategic direction of the center and support faculty and student research. OptXCon is a venture-backed company founded in March 2000.

"We are excited and look forward to contributing to the Fitzpatrick Center's comprehensive education and research program," said Don Bouchard, president and CEO of OptXCon. "At OptXCon, we are developing the next generation of all-photonic networking systems, and will help act as a catalyst in the formation of the center's programs and research initiatives."

The Duke center is named for high-tech entrepreneur Michael J. Fitzpatrick and his wife, Patricia, who last December announced donations of $50 million split between Duke and Stanford universities to make both schools international leaders in advanced photonics.

The Pratt School announced last week that Nortel Networks had been named as a "founding partner" with the Fitzpatrick Center.

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