John P. Dennis, III Elected to McDonald Observatory Board of Visitors

HOUSTON — John P. Dennis, III of Houston has been elected to a three-year term as a Member of The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory and Department of Astronomy Board of Visitors.

“We are fortunate to have such an important scientific research asset like the McDonald Observatory in our backyard,” Mr. Dennis said. “I am delighted to support its critical and ongoing research on behalf of our state and nation.

“My family have been long-time, but quiet, supporters of The University of Texas at Austin for three generations. My wife and I are pleased to continue our families’ support this way through the McDonald Observatory.”

The Board of Visitors is a supporter’s group for the Texas Astronomy Program. It has accomplished great things, from funding chairs, professorships, and fellowships at the University, to developing private contributions for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope and the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory. The Board’s Planned Giving Committee raises funds for the Observatory’s future, and the Lighting Ordinance Committee ensures that McDonald enjoys the darkest night skies of any professional observatory in the continental United States.

Established in 1932, The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis, Texas, hosts multiple telescopes undertaking a wide range of astronomical research. McDonald is home to the consortium-run Hobby- Eberly Telescope (a joint project of The University of Texas at Austin, The Pennsylvania State University, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen). An internationally known leader in astronomy education and outreach, McDonald Observatory is also pioneering the next generation of astronomical research as a founding partner of the Giant Magellan Telescope.

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