By Claire Regan
You could say the stars were aligned for a spectacular afternoon on campus.
After an extensive renovation, the Wagner College Planetarium, a hidden gem located on the second floor of Spiro Hall, reopened with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 8 – just in time for the historic solar eclipse that captivated the country and united the campus community.
“With our bright lights and big city, it can be difficult to see the stars from Staten Island,” Wagner President Angelo Araimo told the standing-room-only crowd of supporters, donors and local leaders gathered under the twinkling dome of the refurbished 60-seat planetarium. “But this space allows us to do just that.”
The renovation includes a new computer system, dome, projector and carpeting, and required 18 months of planning and six months of construction, said Nicholas Richardson, vice provost for academic affairs.
Special moveable chairs from Spain have been installed, Richardson added, now making it possible to arrange the space for college programs, school groups and special events. Previous seating in the planetarium was fixed in place.
Michael J. Cusick, former assemblyman and now president and CEO of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, was presenting sponsor of the renovation project with $600,000. More than $78,000 in other donations came from the Richmond County Savings Foundation, the Vincent Gruppuso Foundation and Taub Flooring.
The planetarium’s original opening ceremony in 1968 was attended by Mercury spacecraft astronaut John Glenn, President Araimo proudly told guests. Back then, “society was immersed in the fervor of the space race, and Wagner was right at the forefront of the latest technology to provide our students and borough with access to learning beyond the classroom.”
Flash forward more than 50 years and “we are still one of two active planetariums in all of New York City … and just as committed to ensuring that this campus asset continues to evolve and thrive,” the Wagner president added.
Guests at the ribbon-cutting enjoyed a reception with sun- and moon-shaped cookies before heading over to the nearby Foundation Hall green for a bird’s-eye view of the eclipse.
The college also launched a Friends of the Planetarium initiative, aimed at garnering support for ongoing campus and community programs.
“We’re thrilled about the planetarium’s expanded uses,” Araimo said, “from weaving the tool into curriculums such as the health sciences, instilling the principles of astronomy among local youth, and serving as a venue for your team building activities, meetings or mixers. The sky is truly the limit.”
“This planetarium is a jewel,” Vice Provost Richardson said later. “We want to make sure everyone on campus and in the Staten Island community knows about it.”
