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   from the issue of October 4, 2007

     
 
From the Archives

Goodwin Deloss Swezey

 

 

The University of Nebraska's first observatory, built in 1896 near the site for Morrill Hall. The observatory was in use until the 1930s.

Goodwin Deloss Swezey was the first astronomy professor at the University of Nebraska, working from 1896 to 1932.

Born Jan. 10, 1851, Swezey received a Bachelor's of Arts at Beloit College (Wisc.) in 1873, and a Master's of Arts in 1876.

Swezey also studied at the Yale Divinity School, Andover Theological Seminary and the universities of Illinois and Indiana. He spent the summer months traveling the nation, visiting observatories and meeting with astronomers.

He taught at Beloit College from 1874-1879, before moving on to Doane College. From 1880 to 1894, Swezey taught almost every branch of science (except chemistry) at Doane.

Swezey
 
Swezey

 

Swezey served his first two years at NU as director of the Nebraska Weather Service. He also was meteorologist for the United States Experiment Station in Lincoln from 1894 to 1906.

Swezey opened his office on the fourth floor of University Hall when there were only two other buildings on campus. And, when the first observatory was built in 1896 (near the present day site of Morrill Hall), he moved his office there.

When he retired in 1932. Swezey was the only full-time employee on the faculty of the Department of Astronomy. He was also the oldest active professor on staff at NU.


Images provided by University Archives. Submit items to tfedderson2@unl.edu or 472-8515.


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