Corning is vital to progress — in the industries we shape and in the world we share. As an industry-leading materials science company, our long-standing commitment to research, development, and engineering (RD&E) — coupled with some of the world’s best technical talent sets us apart from other organizations.

Part of our commitment to RD&E includes facilitating collaborations between Corning’s glass scientists and students at academic institutions all around the world. Each year, Corning invites creative and talented collegiate students to apply for the Glass Age Scholarship. The recipient is awarded financial support and a year-long partnership with scientists from Corning, who mentor the student as they conduct their academic research.

The 2024–2025 Glass Age Scholar is John Bussey, a mechanical and materials engineering student at Washington State University (WSU). Bussey is working toward a bachelor’s degree while conducting research with Prof. John McCloy — a well-known glass scientist and Corning collaborator. The scholarship funds have furthered their work to develop and apply advanced characterization techniques to glass, such as x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray imaging, and positron annihilation spectroscopy. “I’m excited to use this opportunity to further investigate what makes glass such a useful industrial material,” he said. “With recent strides in materials characterization, it's a fascinating time to apply new techniques to help solve challenges in glass science.”

Under this scholarship award, Bussey was mentored by Corning scientists Dr. Cody Cushman, Staff Scientist, Characterization Sciences, and Dr. Nicholas Smith, Principal Scientist, Surfaces, who introduced Bussey to industry applications where advanced characterization tools can help resolve outstanding questions for glass structural properties. The Corning team also assisted Bussey by synthesizing samples to be studied via complementary characterization at WSU and at Corning’s flagship research and development facility, Sullivan Park. Together with his mentors, Bussey investigated results and analyzed the data, furthering research into glass characterization methodology.

“Corning’s Glass Age Scholarship is one of the key initiatives in supporting our ongoing university collaborations and helping to build our talent-pipeline,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kohli, Program Director, Glass Core. “This program provides a direct connection between students and industry, which enables students to gain hands-on learning experience prior to graduation and gives Corning enhanced visibility to specific research programs at leading universities.” 

The goal of the scholarship is to encourage the student studying glass science to begin to conduct work in the areas most important to the technical glass industry. By doing so, the student will gain a solid foundation to prepare for a future career in industrial glass research, product or process development, or manufacturing.

“Working with industrial RD&E and thinking about academic problems through the lens of applicability at Corning has helped change my paradigm about research,” Bussey reflects. “This experience has introduced me to another great avenue for pursuing glass research.”