Plans call for $7 million to be raised for the revitalization; which will include updates to the Grand Lobby, the heating and air conditioning systems, and updating the Hall of Space Museum, to include new interactive exhibits, a dedicated Cosmo Kids children’s area and classrooms which will make the collection more accessible to students. Revitalizing the Cosmosphere INSIDE THIS One small step leading to a great leap SPECIAL EDITION A Journey Begins With Single Steps… Meredith said. “Our Camps attracted participants from 45 states and Canada. REVITALIZATION At the Cosmosphere, there are stellar Our goal is to create a representation examples of what steps are made in our donor network that reflects that » Revitalizing the Cosmosphere possible through great philanthropy. The reach. A Capital Campaign provides Walter and Velma Justice Planetarium, a great opportunity to educate major » Cosmo Camp Alumni: Part 3 the John and Billie Turner Dr. Goddard’s donors—individual, corporate and Lab, the Materials Lab in the Education foundations—about how they can » Department and the Cosmo Café are participate in this expansive mission.” Astronaut Scott Kelly all completed projects that are part of Coming to Hutchinson the plans for the revitalization of the In addition to the projects completed, Cosmosphere. construction is now underway in » Historic Mission Control the Education Department, where a The Revitalization Campaign commenced $100,000 grant received from the Dane Console Restoration in 2014 with more than $3.2 million G. Hansen Foundation is supporting dollars raised to date through individual the initiation of a new Mission Control PLUS! solicitation of major gifts. Much of the experience. focus of that effort has been seeking new » Welcome, New Members! forms of major support from outside the “This project encapsulates the Reno County area. comprehensive mission of the » Cosmosphere. It creates interactive 2017 Eclipse Across “Not only does broadening our base learning and insight into the history of America Pictures of major funding offer a new source of Mission Control with a command center financial support, but it also broadens environment that replicates Apollo- our stakeholder base to reflect our true era missions alongside the type of » 2017 Cosmosphere sphere of influence,” said Mimi Meredith, environment students might find if they Camp Highlights Chief Development Officer. worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory or any modern mission control,” Meredith » 2018 Cosmosphere Camp “In 2017, the Cosmosphere attracted said. “Not only does the support from visitors from 40 U.S. states, one U.S. the Dane G. Hansen Foundation make Registration is Open territory, and 31 foreign countries,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 cosmo.org A New Year, A New Era A letter from new Cosmosphere President/CEO, Jim Remar A strong foundation has been laid for the During 2018, SpaceWorks will be a Cosmosphere to continue to build upon. part of history as it works with a team 2018 promises to be an exciting year as to restore the historic Johnson Space the organization prepares to undertake Center Mission Operations Control Room several new initiatives in an effort to to is Apollo era glory. This is an important expand the impact, reach and brand project as it will preserve one of the recognition of the organization. iconic rooms of the early manned space program. The governing board approved a five- year strategic plan, that for the first Revitalization fundraising continues to time in many years, provides staff with gain momentum. We hope to make a strategic alignment and objectives. major announcement regarding facility This plan outlines for both staff and enhancements the latter half of the year. board, priority areas to focus attention and resources. This organization has a A major anniversary will be celebrated dedicated team in place that can and in grand style in December – the 50th will make a difference. Collectively, this Anniversary of Apollo 8. Watch for team is positioned to make a lasting details! First, I would like to thank Dick Hollowell difference that will secure the future of for six years of tremendous service! the Cosmosphere. As we enter a new year and a new era at There were many significant milestones the Cosmosphere, I am excited to have achieved during Dick’s tenure as CEO. Education has a primary role in the the opportunity to lead this incredible During this period, the Cosmosphere continued growth and expanded institution. I want to thank all of you for In this July 12 photograph, Scott Kelly is seen inside the Cupola, a special module which provides a 360-degree viewing of the Earth and the space station. witnessed stabilization, re-branding, the reach of the Cosmosphere. New, web- your support. The Cosmosphere is a Kelly spent 340 consecutive days in space for his year-long mission. Photo credit: NASA launch of revitalization and new initiatives based curricula will provide a new and place unlike any other and it is because as well as over $1,600,000 in new facility innovative way for teachers to instruct of you that the Cosmosphere will upgrades. The Cosmosphere cannot students on STEM-based subjects, continue to excel. Mark Your Calendar — thank Dick enough for his guidance and while never leaving their classroom. leadership. As I move into the CEO role, Technology will allow the Cosmosphere I want to personally thank Dick for the to take its educational experiences Captain Scott Kelly is Coming to Hutchinson! mentoring he provided over the last internationally, greatly expanding the Captain Scott Kelly captivated the world and seized the imagination of millions during five years. organization’s reach. Tuesday, April 17, 2018 his record-breaking voyage—proving that the sky is not the limit when it comes to the potential of the human spirit. Along with his identical twin brother on Earth, these 10:30 am astronauts paved the way for the future of space travel and exploration as the subjects Hutchinson Sports Arena of an unprecedented NASA study on how space affects the human body. Cosmosphere Corporate Partners Presented by Hutchinson Community With awe-inspiring stories from space and personal reflections on leadership, teamwork College Ray & Stella Dillon Lecture Series and testing limits, Capt. Kelly inspires others to believe that they can reach any goal, no and in partnership with Cosmosphere matter how ambitious or audacious. His presentation promises to bring audiences to the edge of their seats with transcendent insights that inspire and challenge them to dream big, test the status quo, and “choose to do the hard things.” • Free admission for HutchCC Students & Employees, Students K-12, Corporate & Individual sponsors Learn about our Corporate Partnerships at cosmo.org/get-involved/corporate-partnership • Accommodations for hearing impaired available with a 10-day advance notice of lecture. EXECUTIVE STAFF: MARLA ERIKSEN • General Admission tickets available at the door, one hour before Membership + Cause Marketing lecture begins SUPPORT/DONATE JIM REMAR Coordinator VOLUNTEER The Cosmosphere would not exist President and Chief Executive Officer Cosmosphere volunteers For membership information Don’t miss this opportunity! For more information contact Cosmosphere Public without the incredible generosity STEVEN BIRDSALL are an integral part of the of passionate supporters like you. Vice President of Finance contact Marla at organization’s daily operations. Relations Coordinator Carla Stanfield at 620.665.9334 or [email protected] . Please consider the Cosmosphere and Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Without volunteers, the in your annual giving and estate TRACEY TOMME or 620.665.9320. Cosmosphere would be unable planning. Executive Vice President to conduct the wide variety (Above) NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, wearing an and Chief Operating Officer Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit. LAYOUT & DESIGN of programs and services now Contact Mimi Meredith, Photo credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz. MIMI MEREDITH Michele McCartney offered. Chief Development Officer, Senior Vice President of (R) Expedition 46 Commander Scott Kelly Creative Design + at 620.665.9339 or Development and Marketing For more information rests in a chair outside of the Soyuz TMA- and Chief Development Officer Marketing Manager [email protected] to learn more on volunteering at the 18M spacecraft just minutes after he and cosmonauts, Mikhail Kornienko and Sergey about how your contribution of JACK GRABER Cosmosphere, contact Vice President of Exhibits CREATIVE WRITER Volkov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, any size can help the Cosmosphere our Volunteer Liaison at landed in a remote area near the town of and Technology Carla Stanfield grow and thrive. 620.665.9320 or Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Photo credit: NASA/ Public Relations Coordinator [email protected]. Bill Ingalls 2 | cosmo.org cosmo.org | 3 Revitalizing the Cosmosphere CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 that improvement possible, but it also reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to provide the best educational experiences possible for students from Western Kansas, who make up a large percentage of those we serve each year through camps and educational experiences.” What’s Next? Gifts from private donors for classroom renovations and a $500,000 grant from the Sunderland Foundation means the Education Department and second floor observation deck improvements—including additional restrooms—is just $1.4 million dollars away from a complete renovation. In the Hall of Space, plans call for $7 million to be raised for its revitalization, which includes new interactive exhibits, a dedicated Cosmo Kids children’s area and classrooms that make the collection more accessible to students. $4.5 million will enable the work to begin in the fall of 2018. Hardly recognizable, this shell of the Mission Control room is all that is left Laura Page, International Space Science Educator, works on the blended learning website. Currently the site has curriculum packages offered in three in the Cosmosphere’s Education Rotunda. It will get a facelift with the help languages — English, Spanish and German — with more to come! from a grant from Dane G.