Since its inception in the 19^th century, Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has grown into a center of excellence in glass science, with hundreds of its students and several of its faculty doing a large amount of research in the field. What makes it distinctive is that its faculty works with undergraduates exclusively.

The origins of glass science at Coe College can be traced indirectly to the very beginning of Coe’s history. Stephen Stookey was the first man to earn a degree from Coe in 1884. More than 50 years later, in 1936, a relative of Stephen’s—S. Donald Stookey—graduated from Coe. Don Stookey went on to have an extraordinary 47-year career at Corning Glass Works, where he invented products such as CorningWare, Pyroceram, and photochromic eyeglass lenses. That fact alone is reason enough to put Coe College on the map in the world of glass and ceramics.