HIGH POINT, N.C., April 8, 2024 – Thousands of High Point University students, faculty and staff gathered today outside the Wanek School of Natural Sciences to view the solar eclipse using projection telescopes and purple, HPU-branded eclipse glasses.
The crowd began congregating on the Order of the Lighted Lamp Plaza shortly before the eclipse started just before 2 p.m. HPU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy set up telescopes for people to get a closer look at the partially blocked sun.
Students were treated to eclipse-themed snacks as the event occurred, including Moon Pies, star-shaped Rice Krispie treats, Starburst candy and Sunny D orange drinks. A short film about eclipses was also shown inside HPU’s Culp Planetarium.
“It’s an eclipse. Not many get the opportunity to see something like this once every few years,” said Caroline Field, a junior from Durham, North Carolina. “The next eclipse, my friend told me, isn’t until 2044, so I’m going to be 41 years old. I might as well see it when I’m young.”
Jalen Dixon, a junior from Indian Trail, North Carolina, wore a NASA T-shirt while viewing the eclipse through a pair of eclipse glasses.
“I had time in between class and volunteering, so I thought I might as well enjoy the event with some friends,” said Dixon, who is the service officer for HPU’s Natural Sciences Fellows program.
Jeff Regester, instructor of physics and astronomy, helped organize HPU’s eclipse viewing party. He said he wasn’t surprised that there was such a large turnout for it since a solar eclipse is a magnificent phenomenon.
“It takes you out of your mundane, everyday concerns. This is something on a very, very large scale, and it’s rare,” Regester said. “We decided to make a party of it.”
A crowd of 3,000 people gathered on HPU’s Kester International Promenade to view the last total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017.