The foundation of our partnership with NASA was built with the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse. Lynda Parlett, former executive director of institutional development for the college, prepared a grant that secured more than $1.5 million in NASA
funding to organize an eclipse-viewing event that involved the local community and immediate surrounding communities. Because western North Carolina was deep in the path of totality for the eclipse, this once-in-a-lifetime event began as a 5-year funded program turned into a longstanding partnership that has since been awarded a continuation grant through 2025.
SCC Eclipse Coverage in the News
