Yes, the stars really did align for astronomy students and fans at the College recently, thanks to a generous posthumous gift arranged by local amateur astronomer André Le Palud.
Before Le Palud passed away following a long-term illness, he asked his spouse Heather Kaney to ensure that his entire observatory, telescope and astronomical equipment collection, valued at tens of thousands of dollars, would be donated to support Pearson College UWC’s hilltop Newton-Godin Observatory. Pearson Faculty member Mark Wheen said the donated small roll-top observatory will house two of the donated SCT telescopes once reassembled in the fall.
A long-time amateur astronomer, Le Plaud’s gift was inspired by his admiration for Jack Newton’s dedication to the study of astronomy and his impact on educating generations of Pearson at Pearson over many decades. A renowned Canadian astronomer, Newton helped establish the College’s astronomy program in collaboration with a retired faculty member and physics teacher Jean Godin.
Astronomy is one of the many well-established programs available to Pearson students. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of past and recent builders and donors, students have direct access to the Newton-Godin Observatory right on campus. It houses a Newtonian telescope (named for Isaac Newton) built and donated by Jack Newton. The main 25-inch reflector was considered for many years to be one of the larger “private” telescopes in Canada.
We are grateful for this most recent and “astronomically- generous” gift to the Renew and Re-found Campaign from the Le Palud/Kaney family. This donation of observatory equipment will help bolster the excellence of the College’s astronomy program and encourage more interest in the field for generations of Pearson students to come.
Photo credit: Raghvendra Yadav