Visitors to The University of Toledo Ritter Planetarium will soon have a better look at the universe and a more immersive experience after the installation of a new, upgraded digital projection system.

Ritter Planetarium will close to the public starting Saturday, Dec. 24, to remove the current system and replace it with a Digistar 7, a state-of-the-art projection system that provides better quality imagery at 4K and the ability to bring livestreamed events and shows from around the world to the 40-foot domed ceiling.

“We are investing in sophisticated technology to keep the Ritter Planetarium at the cutting edge,” said Dr. Michael Cushing, professor of physics and astronomy and director of Ritter Planetarium. “Digistar 7 has higher resolution and sharper colors than our current system and includes a bunch of new features that will improve our audience’s experience. The opportunities are just incredible. For example, we could watch live full dome feeds of NASA launches or fly through Valles Marineris on Mars using an X-box controller.”

The new, $320,000 Digistar 7 system replaces the SciDome XD projector system acquired in 2011. The renovations were made possible by the generosity of a loyal donor.

Ritter Planetarium, which first opened in 1967, is expected to reopen in March.

The planetarium hosts more than 300 programs each year.

Approximately 5,000 students visit the planetarium every year.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education awarded The University of Toledo a five-year, $823,200 grant through the Choose Ohio First program to provide scholarships to students pursuing pharmaceutical sciences, engineering technology and actuarial sciences, a field that assesses financial risks in the insurance and finance fields using mathematical and statistical methods.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner announced this week nearly $28 million for 45 colleges and universities across the state to boost Ohio’s efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while supporting an estimated 3,400 Ohio students.

“The University of Toledo is proud to offer these important degree programs that students are excited to study and that will prepare them for the jobs Ohio needs to continue to grow and thrive,” UToledo President Gregory Postel said. “We are excited about the additional opportunities the Choose Ohio First scholarships will provide for Rockets.”

“We are fighting for and winning some of the largest economic development projects in the country, but we need to be able to supply companies with an educated, trained workforce,” Husted said. “Choose Ohio First scholarships help keep our kids and grandkids right here in Ohio to further their education in STEM without racking up student loan debt.”

In addition to receiving a renewable scholarship, students in the program will be prepared to apply their expertise to high-demand industry jobs through connections with industry professionals, internships and co-ops relevant to their academic discipline, and participation in professional development seminars.

UToledo has participated in the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program since it began in 2008 to increase the number of Ohio students enrolling in and successfully completing science, technology, engineering, math and medicine programs at Ohio’s public and independent colleges and universities.

“I commend the DeWine-Husted Administration for continuing to grow the Choose Ohio First program as those colleges and universities new to the program see its benefits,” Gardner said. “This funding exemplifies the state’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for successful careers in the STEM fields while meeting the growing demand for a STEM workforce across the state.”

The University of Toledo will host two ceremonies to celebrate the success of the graduating Class of 2022 at fall Commencement.

The ceremonies will be 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in Savage Arena.

The 9 a.m. ceremony recognizes all doctoral candidates across UToledo’s colleges and graduates from the colleges of Engineering; Health and Human Services; Law; Medicine and Life Sciences; and Judith Herb College of Education.

The 1 p.m. ceremony recognizes graduates from the colleges of Arts and Letters; Nursing; Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation; and University College.

“The Class of 2022 has the unique opportunity to add their names to the list of UToledo alumni at an important moment in our history as we celebrate our 150th anniversary,” President Gregory Postel said. “Congratulations to all of our graduates on earning their college degree from UToledo in the year of our sesquicentennial. We are proud to celebrate their successful personal and academic journey.”

UToledo will celebrate 1,852 candidates for degrees across both ceremonies, including 1,323 bachelor’s, 365 master’s and 82 doctoral candidates.

Tickets are required for admission to all ceremonies. They will be livestreamed.

To read graduate success stories, watch the livestream or get more information, visit UToledo’s Commencement website.