Observatory Director, Harold Geller, recognized for contributions to the community
Congratulations to Physics and Astronomy Associate Professor and Observatory Director, Dr. Harold Geller, on receiving the Jack Wood Award in Town Gown Relations, Legacy category.
The Jack Wood Award in Town Gown Relations is a university and community-wide annual award program to recognize both Mason and community individuals and groups, as well as government, businesses, and non-profits who demonstrate leadership in fostering mutually beneficial relationships between the university and the community during the past year. The Legacy Award specifically recognizes leadership achievement in town-gown relations over a period of time longer than five years
According to his nomination “the Mason Observatory, under the leadership of Director Harold Geller and Deputy Director Peter Plavchan, has engaged the local community for over a decade with bi-weekly Evening Under the Stars public lectures, fostering strong ties with the 700+ member Northern Virginia Astronomy Club... and through weekly private tours for local scout troops, schools, and others.”
In addition to the invaluable contributions to his department and the observatory, Dr. Geller most recently co-authored a textbook on renewable energy. His current interests include energy and the environment; the search for life in the universe; and the exploration of space. Visit Dr. Geller’s profile to find out more about his impressive career.
The award is named in honor of Jack Wood, former Mayor for the then-Town of Fairfax who served as a driving force for arranging a campus to be located on land adjacent to the town and deeding it to the university, thus beginning a Town-Gown relationship for the university.
