AMHERST — A $25,000 donation from a 1978 Amherst Regional High School graduate is supporting the school’s engineering department.

The gift comes from Eric Swanson, who, along with two colleagues, was recently honored with two awards for their breakthrough work on optical coherence tomography. That technology has revolutionized ophthalmology by allowing rapid detection and treatment of eye disease for millions of people annually.

The awards were the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, which was bestowed by President Joe Biden at a White House ceremony, and the Lasker-Debakey Clinical Medical Research Award.

Swanson said his donation to the high school is to recognize and thank the school and its teachers for their role in shaping his academic and professional journey, with hopes the money can benefit future high school students.

The school’s engineering department aims to provide students with cutting-edge tools and resources to develop practical skills and engage in hands-on learning experiences.

“We plan to use this donation to further empower and inspire students to pursue engineering careers to positively impact the world through the school’s new Innovation Pathways program,” said Nathaniel Woodruff, the department head for engineering and technology, in a statement.

Resident Oversight Board

The proposed Resident Oversight Board for the Police Department, to ensure public safety accountability, will be the subject of an in-person meeting at Town Room at Town Hall Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department is sponsoring the event. People can also join online by calling in at 301-715-8592 or 305-224-1968, with Webinar ID 860 0209 3110.

An online survey for people to discuss their interactions with local police is also available on the town website.

Local reparations work recognized

District 1 Councilor Michele Miller was recently recognized by the National African American Reparations Commission and Robin Rue Simmons’ First Repair for her work advancing local reparations through the African Heritage Reparation Assembly.

At the third symposium, the town’s representatives were part of over 200 attendees representing more than 75 initiatives.

Miller said in a statement that she appreciates the honor from two organizations leading the way in the local reparations movement.

“We all have a significant and unique role to play in advancing reparative justice for African heritage people and thereby advancing the well-being of our communities as a whole,” Miller said. “I share this award with members of the African Heritage Reparation Assembly, whose leadership and fortitude move Amherst toward a better future.”

UMass sustainability

The University of Massachusetts has risen to the top 20 among higher educational institutions in the nation for its social and environmental sustainability efforts, education and practices, according to “QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024.” 

Global higher education analyst firm Quacquarelli Symonds placed UMass at 16th out of 210 colleges and universities in the United States, an improvement of 12 spots from last year.

“It’s good to see our accomplishments recognized at the global scale through this ranking,” UMass Sustainability Manager Ezra Small said in a statement. “I hope this helps attract more young bright minds from around the globe who can come study here and help us continue to solve these pressing challenges by using our campus as a sustainable learning laboratory.”

Boston Tea Party anniversary

The Jones Library is observing the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party by hosting a Zoom presentation Saturday at 2 p.m.

“Steeped in Secrecy” can be accessed through the online Jones Library events calendar.

Meetings

MONDAY: Design Review Board, 5 p.m., and Town Council, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Planning Board, 6:30 p.m.