Partnership with Keck Observatory in Hawaii

Partnership with Keck Observatory in Hawaii Graphic

Carroll College alumnus, Roy Simperman ’62, and his wife, Frances Simperman, have played a very important role in helping Carroll College’s Data Science Program form a special partnership with the W. M. Keck Observatory on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Keck Observatory telescopes on Mauna Kea in Hawaii (14,000 feet above sea level) are the world’s largest optical and infrared telescopes. Their mission is to advance the frontiers of astronomy and share their discoveries, inspiring the imagination of all. 

Keck’s relationship with Carroll College is very special as we are the only undergraduate institution in the nation to have developed a post-graduate paid fellowship with the W. M. Keck Observatory. Mr. Terry Cox, a 2019 Carroll College Data Science graduate, has served as our first Keck Fellow since last September.

Thanks to a very generous offer from the Simpermans, John and  Victoria Cech were able to travel to the Big Island and to Keck Headquarters to meet with Terry Cox, a Carroll College Keck Fellow, as well as with Hilton Lewis, W. M. Keck Observatory Director, and John O’Meara, Chief Scientist. Dr. O’Meara shared the following quote about Terry’s work at Keck since September, “It’s wonderful having a student of Terry’s caliber work with us here at Keck. Terry has done some impressive work, and I’m positive he has a great future ahead of him.”

On Tuesday of this week, I had the opportunity to sit with Terry Cox and record a podcast about his experiences at Keck and at Carroll, which I have linked here.

President Cech with Terry Cox '19, Carroll College Keck Fellow
Pictured above: President Cech with Terry Cox '19, Carroll College Keck Fellow