The Department of Natural Sciences at Williams Baptist University has a great new tool for studying astronomy, including the Great American Eclipse. Rebecca Lapiro of Light, Ark., recently donated a powerful telescope to WBU, in memory of her late son, Charles Ruben Lapiro II.

The 8-inch Orion telescope has a motorized base that does automatic tracking of celestial objects. WBU is acquiring solar filters for the telescope, and it will be set up on Midkiff Meadows, the university’s central lawn, during the eclipse on April 8.

Charles Ruben Lapiro II passed away on January 3 of this year at the age of 40. He had a passion for studying the cosmos, and he had acquired the powerful telescope to better view outer space.  He lived in Light, and he was an active member of the Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ in Hoxie.

 Dr. Ann Paterson, the Nell Mondy Chair of Natural Science at WBU said the university and her department in particular are very appreciative of Mrs. Lapiro for the gift.

“This exceptional telescope will provide wonderful opportunities for students to gain entirely new perspectives about the sky,” said Paterson.  “It goes far beyond just providing a better view with tools we can use to locate and record images of planets, stars, and even the surface of the sun.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Dr. Chris Polachic, associate professor of natural sciences, who specializes in the field of physics.

“This telescope is the kind of scientific instrument that allows our natural science department to more readily accomplish our mission of helping students understand God better through studying His creation as it declares His glory,” said Polachic. “We are honored to be entrusted with this generous gift. It will be a versatile tool for our current physical science courses, and will give us flexibility to creatively expand our curriculum.”

WBU is a private, Christian university in Walnut Ridge.