A Love For Chem

LaMonte Orr ’18 never imagined chemistry could be fun … and then he accepted a position at Corning Incorporated. Today, he loves chemistry.

LaMonte is a Process/Lab Technician at Corning Incorporated and a part-time Adjunct Instructor at SUNY Corning Community College.

He works in Corning’s Diesel Facility where his role consists of experimental design, statistical analysis and reporting of experimental results, and material characterization.

LaMonte had various roles at Corning Inc. for 10 years before he decided to attend SUNY CCC. He thought he wanted to pursue a career in engineering, but quickly became interested in chemistry.

“This was the first time in my life I was reading a textbook because I was interested in the material and not just because it was assigned to me,” said LaMonte. “Beginning to understand the chemical world around me was awesome. I was hooked.”

LaMonte enjoys practicing what he learned as a Chemical Technology major at SUNY CCC and applying it to his new career.

“I use the same techniques and instruments in my day-to-day analysis at Corning Inc. that we studied in lecture and lab at [SUNY] CCC,” said LaMonte. “I get to practice what I’ve learned every day and continue to build on it. That’s my favorite part.”

LaMonte plans to attend either Cornell University or Alfred University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

“I would like to eventually become a scientist for Corning Inc.,” said LaMonte. “I want to contribute to the company that has molded me into the person I am today.