Corning is donating a half a million dollars to MCC's Optical Systems Program as part of the deal. The program trains students in optical sciences, making everything from photography lenses to medical equipment, and even parts for high-powered lasers.

Rick Nasca of Corning, Inc. said, "We're really having a hard time finding people in the optics industry, and the program at MCC is incredible. It's really going to help us out, long-term, finding students from the high schools and transforming them into two-year technicians, so we can put them to work right away."

MCC's optical science program will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.