Richland College Honors Buzz with Aldrin Planetarium

30 Oct Richland College Honors Buzz with Aldrin Planetarium

Buzz Aldrin was honored at Richland College in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, October 30th, 2009. The event was a kickoff fundraiser to renovate their planetarium. The facility will reopen with a new name: Aldrin Planetarium.

As a part of the evening, Buzz gave a presentation entitled ?anding on the Moon and Getting to Mars?

From the Richland College news release for the event:

Richland College, a college of the Dallas County Community College District, will host a fundraising event on Fri., Oct. 30 to modernize and rename its planetarium in honor of retired U.S. Air Force pilot and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who in 1969 helped pilot Apollo 11 to the first landing on the moon. The new Aldrin Planetarium will be transformed into a hands-on learning environment for science, engineering, and arts students, while serving as an important resource for all North Texas communities.

?his landmark event will be an opportunity for people not only to meet Buzz Aldrin, but also to make a real difference in the lives of students and young people, who will be given a chance to explore and appreciate the wonder and beauty of space with this new, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose planetarium,?says Michael Gorton, former Richland College adjunct astronomy/physics instructor and successful local businessman. ?he planetarium will encourage and inspire young people to follow in Buzz? footsteps and Neil Armstrong? famous words ?? small step for man and a giant leap for mankind? Aldrin and the new facility will inspire and motivate community college students and tomorrow makers to pursue careers in science and engineering.

With the support of monetary donations, the Aldrin Planetarium will be transformed into a world-class multimedia facility serving the North Texas area ?and beyond. It will raise the quality of education in the area to a new level by bringing together students, educators, corporations and organizations designed to build communities and enrich lives through celestial presentations that teach, entertain, and train.

?s one of the most respected, innovative community colleges in Texas, Richland College is the ideal institution for fostering this kind of advancement in education and technology,?Michael Gorton adds. ?e?e not only honoring a great American hero in Buzz Aldrin ?who ranks as a modern Christopher Columbus ?but also creating a rich environment for developing great scientific minds and future explorers. We invite the entire city of Dallas to work on this remarkable opportunity and make it happen with excellence.?/p>