The mission of the Shepherd University Observatory is to provide opportunities for education in the astronomical sciences in the following areas: teaching, through courses in Astronomy, Physical Science, Science Education, Physics, and Environmental Studies; student and faculty research; and outreach to K-12 schools and the general public. A significant portion of the observatory’s funding has come from external sources, via grants and public donations.
We have established an Observatory Fund with the Shepherd University Foundation to facilitate contributions to help us equip the observatory now and help keep it up to date with future instruments, improved digital cameras, and other equipment and software. These contributions support the outreach efforts of the Observatory, as well as the teaching and research functions of the Observatory, and are greatly appreciated.
The Observatory oversees the Richard L. Stephan Memorial Observatory Endowment. These funds, provided by the family of Mr. Stephan, are used to support the teaching, research, and outreach missions of the Observatory.
For more information about these funds, including how to make contributions to the Observatory, please contact Dr. Jason Best at 304-876-5331 or jbest@shepherd.edu, or the Shepherd University Foundation at 304-876-5397 or SU Foundation: Making a Gift.