EIU Media Relations

EIU'S Own 'Shining Stars' Make Physics Observatory a Reality

While James Conwell and other physics faculty and students provided much of the construction labor for Eastern Illinois University's campus observatory project, most of the funding came from the contributions of Eastern alumnus Randall P. Wright and his wife, Brenda , and retired physics faculty member P. Scott Smith.

Wright, senior vice president of Texas Children's Hospital in Houston , Texas , is a Charleston native and a 1970 graduate of the university with a degree in physics. Earlier this year, Wright, who is noted for his philanthropy to the university, received a Doctor of Public Service degree from Eastern.

Wright knew the university lacked an observatory, but it was during a visit to campus several years ago that he became aware there was enough know-how and talent within the physics department to make the facility a reality.

"I just happened to be there at a meeting with a student group doing a presentation as a result of a project that (former department chair) Keith Andrews was doing," Wright said. "He had asked students to develop plans for what an observatory should look like. They were putting together a model, and it seemed like a good concept and an opportunity to actually build. I just wanted to support their efforts."

Wright said that having received an undergraduate degree in physics and being familiar with astronomy as a discipline, he felt an observatory would be a unique tool for Eastern to educate a broad spectrum of people about the universe.

"With all the images that have come through the space program and from the Hubble Space Telescope, we're all intrigued about what's out there," Wright said. "When you look at what the technology offers with CCD imaging and computerized telescopes, there's a lot of work that can be done on the local level that doesn't necessarily require a 200-inch telescope on top of a mountain. It's an opportunity for both education and research on the local level."

Wright has remained associated with Eastern over the years and said his best memories of the physics department at the university are of the faculty. "It was a great group of people who were very supportive. I've always enjoyed the opportunity to claim them as part of my education," he said.

One of those faculty members was P. Scott Smith, a member of the department from 1953 to 1990. Smith also contributed to the observatory project, because he, too, was aware of the need.

"I taught astronomy and we were always handicapped because we had to haul the telescopes up on the roof or to a field outside of town," he said. "It was often wet or windy. Now, having a dome, it's like going from kindergarten to professional."

Smith said he remains proud of Eastern's Physics Department, which, he said, has turned out many accomplished scientists, including some who have attained international notoriety, such as Robert Millis, director of the famed Lowell Observatory in Arizona , co-discoverer of the rings of Uranus and a 1963 graduate of Eastern.

"Loving astronomy as I do, I wanted to contribute to it, too," Smith said.