UNIVERSITY NEWS
A New (Upgraded) Window to the Universe
BY MIA CROSS M'03
Frostburg State University is preparing to welcome the community back under the stars. This spring, FSU will celebrate the grand reopening of its newly revitalized Planetarium, marking a new chapter for one of the campus’s most distinctive learning spaces.
Located in the Catherine R. Gira Center for Communications and Information Technology (CCIT), the upgraded facility underscores the University's renewed focus on STEM education, discovery and community engagement.
“The revitalized Planetarium reflects Frostburg State’s commitment to creating inspiring, hands-on learning experiences for our students while also serving as a resource for the broader community,” said FSU Interim President Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD. “It opens the door for curiosity, exploration and new opportunities to connect people with the wonders of our universe.”
A soft launch of the reopening will be held in late April to recognize the contributions, support and generosity of our community and government partners. The planetarium will be open to the broader public in June.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Jason Speights, associate professor of physics and director of the Planetarium, and Amy Hutcherson, coordinator of Regional Engagement, for their leadership throughout this extraordinary renovation. As many know, Dr. Speights has spent years guiding dynamic sky tours beneath the dome. He shared that the upgraded system’s brightness, color, and image clarity are remarkable, and the new sound system envelopes the audience in a way that makes visitors feel like they are truly traveling through space.
(top) Upgraded sound system; (bottom) Sagittarius A*
The Planetarium revitalization project was made possible through a combination of funding sources, including a federal community funding earmark and generous donor support and aims to expand hands-on learning opportunities for FSU students while also creating new programming for local schools and community members.
Looking ahead, additional funding will support the development of an exhibit hall in the atrium of the CCIT building. The space will feature interactive displays and memorabilia from FSU alumnus and NASA astronaut Ricky Arnold ’85, celebrating his accomplishments and inspiring future generations of explorers.
In the weeks leading up to the grand reopening weekend, FSU will host several preview shows for members of the campus community. The details surrounding those shows will be shared soon. Beginning in June, the Planetarium will open for regular public programming throughout the summer, with shows designed for audiences of all ages.
“With its upgraded technology and renewed vision, the Planetarium will be a place where students, alumni and community members can come together to learn, explore and be inspired,” President Smith said.
From classroom learning to public discovery, the revitalized FSU Planetarium is once again ready to connect the campus to the vast possibilities of the universe.
"This upgrade reflects the enormous collaborative effort of our facilities staff, IT professionals and colleagues in the Division of Advancement and Regional Engagement whose hard work and dedication brought this vision to life," noted Speights. "Their partnership helped create a space that will inspire curiosity and exploration for years to come." 🐾
FSU's Bill Clines and Alex Taylor lift one of the new projectors into place.
