Announcing the Paul Anthony Bonenfant Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2011 in memory of Paul Anthony Bonenfant, this need-based scholarship will enable undergraduate students enrolled in engineering and/or physical science programs to attend semester-abroad programs offered through their college/university. The goal of the scholarship is to provide international experience to students as they prepare for professional lives that promote global engagement and collaboration.

Paul A. Bonenfant, spent his career in various capacities from engineering to investment banking. He believed that international experience enhanced a person’s general understanding and his or her effectiveness in interpersonal and business endeavors. Throughout his career, Paul’s work included a great deal of international engagement; these efforts earned him the respect and friendship of colleagues around the world. The Paul Anthony Bonenfant Memorial Scholarship honors his legacy now, and for generations to come.

 Campaign Update

Only $31K is needed to reach our campaign goal of $190,000 USD. To help us reach our goal, a generous donor has agreed to match 100% of new donations, up to $62K! This is an increase from their initial pledge to match gifts up to $50K, which was announced during OFC/NFOEC. Donations of all sizes are needed and appreciated. Please consider making a donation today!

Many thanks to the individuals and corporations that have already contributed to the Paul Anthony Bonenfant Memorial Scholarship. 

Giving Options

Online: Safe, secure online donations may be made with a credit card.

Mail or Fax: Please make checks payable to The OSA Foundation.

Wire Transfers: Donations are accepted via wire transfer. Request wire instructions. 

Gifts of Securities: We also accept donations of securities. View stock transfer information.

Corporate Matching Gifts: Many employers match charitable contributions, so be sure to check with your Human Resources Department - you could double or even triple your support of the Paul A. Bonenfant Memorial Scholarship!

In Memoriam:  Paul A. Bonenfant

Paul A. Bonenfant, a dedicated member of the OFC/NFOEC Technical Program Committee and a speaker/panel member at OFC/NFOEC for many years, died on Monday, 27 September 2010, following a heart attack.  He was 42.

Bonenfant was a senior research analyst for Morgan Keegan & Co, Inc., specializing in the technology sector.  He joined Morgan Keegan in 2005 as Associate Analyst for Communications Equipment and in 2008 assumed the role of Senior Analyst for Communications Components.

Prior to his move to Wall Street, Bonenfant spent over 15 years in the telecommunications industry.  He led requirements and standards development for optical transport systems at Bell Communications Research (Bellcore, now Telcordia Technologies) and then moved to Lucent’s Optical Networking Group, where he served as a business development manager for mergers and acquisitions.  He was principal network architect at Mahi Networks and was both a founding member and chief architect at the optical networking start-up, Photuris, Inc, where he specialized in SONET/SDH, WDM, and optical networking transport architecture, product evolution planning, network survivability, and associated global standards development.   

Bonenfant received both a B.S. in engineering and applied science and an M.S. in electrical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena.  In 2010, he was honored in the WSJ Best on the Street Analyst Survey with a number 3 ranking among telecommunications equipment analysts for stock picking.

Bonenfant is survived by his wife, Maria, and two children.