FSC Press Release


Prospective Students \| Current Students \| Parents \| Alumni & Friends \| Faculty & Staff

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Relations
(863) 680-4118

Florida Southern College dedicates new planetarium

$500,000 donation from John Raymond Miller II and Eleanor Honeyman Miller allows college to renovate planetarium and install new instrument

What:	After a year of being closed and two years of renovations to the planetarium and the Polk Science Building, Florida Southern College will re-dedicate and open its planetarium.
Photo Opportunity:	FSC President Tom Reuschling will present a proclamation to John Raymond Miller II and his wife, Eleanor Honeyman Miller, in appreciation for their $500,000 gift to renovate the planetarium and purchase the new Spitz instrument.
Date/Time:	Noon Friday, Feb. 9, 2001
Location:	Miller Planetarium, Florida Southern College campus, Lakeland, Fla.
More Info:	Robin Grafton at (863) 680-4118 or rgrafton@flsouthern.edu
Other Details:	The Miller Planetarium is home to one of only two Spitz 1024 Planetarium Instruments in the world. The other Spitz 1024 machine in operation is in France. The planetarium seats 60 adults and approximately 80 children. Currently, the Miller Planetarium is showing "More Than Meets the Eye," a show which reviews the moon, major planets, famous stars and constellations. To book an appointment for groups to attend shows at the Florida Southern College Miller Planetarium, contact Joan Schlechte at (863) 680-4316.

About the Spitz 1024 Planetarium Instrument

Spitz is the largest planetarium instrument designer and builder in the United States. The Spitz model 1024 is the most modern equipment specially designed for small planetariums such as the one at Florida Southern College. The system is fully automated and can also be controlled manually.

System’s main components:

A Star Projector showing 1,354 stars in their natural colors and brightness
A Solar System Projector showing the sun, moon (in correct phase according to the date of the show), and all five naked-eye planets in their natural brightness, color and location
Two laser-disc players for special effects and animations
One VCR for showing portions of a show
Two video projectors to show special effects and animations
Ten slide projectors
A computer and a digital audio system

About Florida Southern

Florida Southern College, the state’s oldest church-related college, is a four-year, private, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and a master of business administration degree accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Lakeland, Fla., the college is home to the largest, one-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

###