Support The Observatory

FRIENDS OF CLINE OBSERVATORY

The Observatory is possible because of a gift from J. Donald Cline, a grant from the National Science Foundation, and the support our donors and the Guilford Technical Community College Board of Trustees. Its presence on campus enriches classes in astronomy, which can be taken as part of an Associate in Arts or Associate in Sciences degree, and are transferable to baccalaureate programs. The Observatory also provides GTCC the opportunity to demonstrate the excitement of a scientific career to students of all levels.

Friends of Cline Observatory provide the ongoing support that makes the Observatory accessible and ensures that it will be updated as new technologies become available. Friends receive regular newsletters and information about public events at the Observatory, and are invited to Friends-only opportunities to meet our visiting speakers. The suggested contribution for Friend of the Observatory designation is $50, but contributions in any amount are welcome. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law. 

We offer a variety of opportunities for Observatory Friend involvement and support of astronomy activities and events. These are:

  • Become a Friend of Cline Observatory:  Suggested minimal contribution of $50 to help fund our free Public Friday Night Observing Sessions.
  • Sponsor an Observing Month: Give $300 to have a month of public viewings publicized with your name acknowledged as sponsor. (Other variations of this are available – contact observatory for details.)
  • Sponsor a Solar System Walk object: Donate $500 to have your name inscribed on one of the Solar System Walk displays on GTCC’s Jamestown campus. As of May 2015, only the Sun and the planet Uranus are still unsponsored. Learn more about GTCC’s Solar System Walk. 
  • Support the Jo Cline Memorial Endowment to bring our annual fall astronomy lecturer to GTCC. (See below for more information.)
  • Sponsor a lecture by a visiting astronomer. Several opportunities may be available each year.

Contributions or inquiries should be sent to:
GTCC Foundation
P.O. Box 309
Jamestown, NC 27282.

THE JO CLINE MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT

The Jo Cline Memorial Endowment was established by Don Cline in September 2015 with an initial funding goal of $50,000. Interest from the endowment will provide annual ongoing support of the Jo Cline Fall Astronomy Lecture Series. Don will match, dollar for dollar, contributions made to this fund until our goal is reached.  Please consider honoring Jo’s memory by contributing to the fund.

Jo Cline was born Joann Schlagenhauf in Bluffton, IN, and moved to North Carolina in 1948. She lived most of her life in Greensboro, and was a loving partner with her husband, Don, in business, ballooning, education, and philanthropy. She owned the BalloonPort of Greensboro and actively managed it for more than 30 years. Jo was a co-founder of the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) in the NC Mountains, where she is lovingly remembered as “The First Lady of PARI.” The generosity and support of Don and Jo Cline helped make the observatory and the astronomy outreach program at GTCC possible, and they have left their mark on numerous astronomical and scientific institutions around North Carolina.

The Clines have been fixtures at GTCC astronomy events during the past two decades, and could always be seen in the front row at our fall lectures. Jo’s quiet personality, along with her dry and sharp wit, is deeply missed.

Gifts can be made to payable to:
GTCC Foundation
Re:  Jo Cline Endowment
PO Box 309
Jamestown, NC 27282

For more information about how you can support Cline Observatory, contact the GTCC Foundation at 336.334.4822 (Greensboro) or 336.454.1126 (High Point) ext. 50264 or Tom English at ext. 50023.