SFCC’s Astronomy instructor who spearheaded the movement to build a planetarium in the science building.
The current science building replaced the old building, which was built in 1968 and was turning to ruins due to the lack of air conditioning and outdated labs.
While the building was constructed in 2011, the silver dome on top of the planetarium was finished just a year later. The planetarium is home to many science classes and is a noticeable feature when driving past the Spokane Falls campus.
John Whitmer, Astronomy instructor here at Spokane Falls Community College, recalls that the new building was in shambles. He taught in Astronomy on campus for the past fifteen years.
“I suggested [the planetarium] and that got the ball rolling. Luckily, all the other science faculty were enthusiastic about it,” said Whitmer. “We went to a lot of school board meetings and promoting it – it was a community affair. A lot of people jumped in and helped but I got the idea off the ground and made it a reality.”
Jim Brady, Dean of the Computing Math and Science at the Falls, also helped paved the way to get the planetarium within the new science building.
“We thought that the planetarium was valuable because it was a way to connect with community and public school,” said Brady. “In a same way, it’s like connecting the arts through drama, plays and music performance. We wanted something to allow science to connect with the science building as well.”
Aside from just teaching astronomy classes within the round room, the planetarium is also the host of other events as well.
“Michelle [Moore] and I provide shows six days a week for the local K-12 groups in the schools,” said Whitmer. “Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Once every five or six weeks – Friday, Saturday, Sunday – we do shows to the public. Anyone can buy a ticket and come.”
Both Whitmer and Brady are grateful for the work that the former ASG have done to lend a hand for the planetarium.
“I’m eternally grateful for the students which is why we give them free shows,” said Whitmer.
Student support is key to Brady when talking about the planetarium.
“For me to be able to say ‘The campus students wanted it too!’,” said Brady. “That’s a tremendous asset for me.”