Dr. Brad Barlow, assistant professor of astrophysics (center), organized HPU’s on-campus eclipse celebration and joined students in viewing the once-in-a-lifetime event today.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 21, 2017 – Three thousand people wearing purple eclipse shades lined High Point University’s Kester International Promenade today in celebration of the total solar eclipse.
Alexander Kuzmanoff, a sophomore physics, math and entrepreneurship major, was one of those 3,000, and also part of the student group who helped the Department of Physics organize the campus celebration.
“You knew when the eclipse was happening because all of a sudden more than 3,000 people gasped and looked at the sky in silence for a few minutes,” said Kuzmanoff. It was exciting to see everyone’s reaction. A lot of people thought it would pass quickly, but it’s a four-hour process across the country, and there was a good amount of viewing time on campus. Events like this and others we host like HPUniverse Day are great for educating young minds about science.”
A group of students gathered around a telescope as the clouds parted for an up-close view of the phenomenon. Ashley Risko, a senior criminal justice major, joined them.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because I probably won’t see something like this again,” said Risko. “Being on the Promenade with so many of my friends and faculty was a great experience, and everyone was very excited to share it together. Some people from older generations shared their experiences with me from seeing the 1979 eclipse, so hearing from them while experiencing my first total eclipse was amazing.”
Onlookers were treated to complimentary eclipse glasses and a variety of space-inspired treats, including Moon Pies, Capri Sun and Rocket Pops.
Meanwhile, about 100 HPU students traveled to Newberry, South Carolina to see the eclipse in its “path of totality,” the path where the sun is completely blocked.
The group departed campus early this morning and will return this evening. HPU physics and astronomy instructor Jeff Regester led the trip, and while his group is returning to campus after a long day of traveling, they’re returning happy.
“All educators love those moments when students ‘get it,’” said Regester. “When they have a breakthrough in their understanding. Seeing the eclipse was special, but the breakthrough was their newfound ability to appreciate and wonder at the marvels of the Universe.”
“Going down to Newberry with physics and astronomy professors and getting the scientific reasoning to why the eclipse happens – it was an amazing experience,” said HPU senior Louis Samara.