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RMSC planetarium director Steve Fentress to retire
Fentress
Fentress
RMSC planetarium director Steve Fentress to retire
Listen to this articleSteve Fentress, RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium director, has announced that he will be retiring in November, after working for the nonprofit for nearly 35 years.
Fentress began his career at the Rochester Museum & Science Center in 1989 as planetarium music director and was promoted to planetarium director in 1995.
Building on the Strasenburgh Planetarium’s culture of innovation, he introduced current events into planetarium shows using satellite television and the internet when they were new technologies.
In 2018, Fentress led the fiftieth-anniversary renovation of the planetarium that included a full-dome digital visualization system, new lighting and sound, accessible seating, and more live presentations and special events. Recently, he has worked on star shows with open captions on the dome, possibly a first for planetariums in the U.S.
“I’ve learned so much at the RMSC, as we create, innovate and serve the community,” Fentress said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing colleagues on projects and programs that have been seen by generations of families over the years. Rochester’s excitement and passion for the Strasenburgh Planetarium has been a true gift throughout my years here.”
The search for a new planetarium director will begin later this month.
“The Strasenburgh Planetarium will continue searching for the latest discoveries and sharing them with our community, and Steve’s sense of creativity, community service and passion for lifelong learning will remain with us,” said Hillary Olson, RMSC president and CEO, adding the next director will have big shoes to fill. “For over 30 years, Steve Fentress has taken us all on an incredible journey through the universe.”
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