#MorehouseisEverywhere: President Emeritus Dr. Walter E. Massey ’58 was recognized at the inaugural Giant Magellan Gala, held beneath the historic dome of Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. The event brought together nearly 250 leaders from science, education, philanthropy, art, and industry to honor the leadership and institutional partnerships that have made the Giant Magellan Telescope possible.
The evening highlighted Dr. Massey’s legacy as recently retired Chairman of the Giant Magellan Telescope Board of Directors, a role he held from 2016 to 2025. During his tenure, Dr. Massey helped guide the $2.6 billion international scientific endeavor through key design and construction milestones, strengthening public–private partnerships and supporting the acquisition of nearly $500 million in funding to advance the project toward its next phase.
A physicist, educator, and national science leader, Dr. Massey’s career has been defined by a commitment to discovery, access, and public servic...