Southern Utah University Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of Great Basin Observatory Partnership

Southern Utah University (SUU) is commemorating a decade of transformative partnership with the Great Basin Observatory (GBO). The collaboration - which brings together SUU, the Great Basin Foundation, and partner institutions like the University of Nevada, Reno - has spent ten years supporting hands-on astronomy research, enhancing student learning, and promoting dark sky preservation across the region.

The partnership gives SUU faculty and students access to a research-grade telescope located inside Great Basin National Park. This access provides undergraduates with rare opportunities to publish peer-reviewed research, develop data-analysis skills, and build confidence for graduate programs or careers across various fields.

Beyond university classrooms, the collaboration places special emphasis on reaching pre-college and rural students through unique research initiatives.

"Over the last decade, our partnership with the Great Basin Observatory has created life-changing opportunities for students that simply don't exist in a traditional classroom," said Dr. Cameron Pace, Assistant Professor of Physics at SUU. "By getting hands-on with research-grade technology, our undergraduates - and even local middle and high school students - are publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers. It gives young people early exposure to real-world science and opens up entirely new career paths for them."

The outreach extends across state lines to schools like White Pine Middle School in Ely, Nevada, a Title 1 school located in a rural, mining community.

"Being able to partner with the Great Basin Foundation, GBO, and SUU allows my students to conduct original astronomy research, present that research to other astronomers, and potentially have the research published. This opens doors for my students that they may have never considered previously," said Caroline Murphree, an astronomy teacher at White Pine Middle School.

"At the GBO Research Symposium, my middle school students were able to meet students and faculty from high schools, universities, and graduate programs throughout the region. This allowed them to see the entire pathway from where they are now in middle school to becoming a professional scientist... I strongly believe that this experience changed the trajectory of some of their lives."

As SUU - designated as the "University of the Parks" - looks toward the next decade, the GBO partnership remains a cornerstone of its mission to deliver hands-on, impactful education and empower the next generation of scientists and leaders.

About Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University is a caring campus community where students realize their potential through personalized mentorship from people dedicated to helping them soar. Offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, SUU provides hands-on, career-focused learning to prepare students for the future. Located in the world's best backyard, SUU's safe and vibrant campus offers a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels supported and inspired by both the natural beauty and a strong sense of community. Whether on campus or online, SUU provides an education that is competitively priced and highly valued, giving students the skills and confidence to thrive in any professional setting. This is where students soar!

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