Dale W. Smith, physics and astronomy, at the controls of the BGSU Planetarium.

BGSU astronomer receives Galileo Award

The Great Lakes Planetarium Association recently presented a BGSU astronomer with its Galileo Award for exemplary leadership in the international planetarium community.

Dale W. Smith, physics and astronomy, is the first recipient of the Galileo Award, the highest honor bestowed by the association, of which Smith has been a member for 20 years.

Smith was chosen unanimously for recognition. His colleague James Manning, director of the Museum of the Rockies Planetarium in Bozeman, Mont., noted, “I can think of few individuals more dedicated to the ideals of planetarium education and professionalism and to bringing together the world planetarium community in common cause than Dale Smith.”

Smith has taught and served as planetarium director at Bowling Green since 1983. A 1970 graduate of Colgate University, he received a master’s degree in 1973 and a doctorate in 1978 from the University of Washington.

He has served as the president of GLPA and the International Planetarium Society and edited numerous publications for the improvement of the profession including a multi-language publication by the United Nations, “Planetarium: A Challenge for Educators.” He also has produced 17 original planetarium programs and adapted more than 40 others for presentation in BGSU’s planetarium.

The world’s oldest and largest regional planetarium association, GLPA owns the largest collection of planetarium resource materials in existence. Its members include leaders in the national and international planetarium community. GLPA played a key role in the formation of the International Planetarium Society, and is an affiliate of the National Science Teachers Association.