Truman State University will host a ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday, October 11, to celebrate the opening of a new Planetarium.
Thanks to a partnership between the university and private donors, The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium and Multimedia Theater, is finally ready to open this weekend after being under constructions since 2005.
The new 60-seat and 1.800-square foot Planetarium, located inside Truman State’s Magruder Hall, is the only such facility in a nearly 100-mile radius of Kirksville.
Charles Hunsaker, Director of Development at Truman State University, says it’s a resource for more than just the students on campus.
“It also provides an opportunity for people who live in North East Missouri to come when we do community shows,” he said.
“Elementary and middle school and children in this part of the state have an opportunity to come and really experience all that a planetarium and a multimedia theatre has to offer.”
But first of all, Charles Hunsaker says it’s a resource for the students on campus:
“We certainly envision being open to all the different disciplines across campus. It’s a unique space that can be used even by the theatre department or the music department.”
A Planetarium taskforce is currently working through how the Planetarium should be used, who will have access, and how different events will be scheduled.
