Dan's Papers - August 10, 2007 - Donna McCormick Becomes First Female President Of The Custer Institute

The Custer Institute, an observatory for astronomy on the North Fork, was founded in 1927 by Mr. Perkins Elmer. He named it for his wife May Custer Elmer, a grandniece of the famous General George Armstrong Custer of Wounded Knee fame. Now 80 years later, the Custer Institute is naming its first female president. Donna McCormick of Seldon, New York is now in charge of an institution that did not even admit women until 1970. However, she is reportedly coming into the position ready to take actions to revitalize the observatory, which does not have an endowment. Although the domed observatory located right on Main Bayview Road in Southold, still offers tremendous opportunities with telescopes up to 14" in diameter and a special Clark 6-inch refractor, as well as a library, museum, multi-media lecture hall, darkroom and an optics shop. Ms. McCormick believes actions need to be taken.

What Donna McCormick wants to do is to increase the usage and programs of Custer and to breath some new vitality and life in a facility that still dazzles the imagination of all those who go visit. For years many believed the best way to get to be introduced to Custer was to go to the annual Custer jamboree in November. However, Donna wants to make Custer more user friendly always. She intends to spruce up the place and then proceed to bring long-term financial stability to the organization. This means she plans to use her previous attained skills to obtain private grants as well as pursuing public funding at the local, county, state, and federal levels. It is reported that part of her plan is to create stronger ties with many groups that are interested in both the environment and astronomy. So far, Southold Supervisor Scott Russell, Assemblyman Marc Alessi, and Congressman Tim Bishop have been very helpful. Ms. McCormick plans on addressing the need for a new roof, more attractive grounds, landscaping and an increase in program to at track more and new patrons.

Also in the works is the idea of starting an intern program in order to advance the research aspect of what is going on at Custer. Donna believes that individual skills can be enhanced through this program she hopes to create, which could possibly lead to new discoveries right at the Southold facility. It will also pump some new vitality into the Custer Institute and position it better for the future. This program may bring it new recognition too.

The make up of the Custer Institute is a membership of about 170, forty percent of which are women. The Custer people estimate another fifty guests, or family of the members participates in programs and use the facility. The family-like atmosphere of the Custer Institute does not intimidate women as it might have back in the days when they were first admitted. In fact many women are now aiming at the stars as how they want to spend their valuable free time. Custer Institute Treasurer of over 27 years, Barbara Lebkuecher of Jamesport has seen it all. She is now on record of being a supporter of Donna McCormick and what she plans to do. She has said, Donna, "has an unbelievable amount of energy............This is the best thing could have happened at Custer." That is quite an endorsement.

Donna McCormick lives with her life partner Jeffrey Katz. She has served as administrative director of the American Society for Physical Research. Many believe that position will assist Donna in her plans to raise the funds necessary to put the Custer institute on a long-range, long-term, sound financial footing.

A visit to the website www.custerobservatory.org is worth it. A visit to Custer itself is a good thing to do with your children so that they can have a broader understanding of the universe and how we here on earth fit into the whole picture. They will also see how we study the stars and universe. The North Fork has many cultural possibilities to enhance the life experience. It was a visit to observe the Leonid Meteor Shower a few years back that got Donna so involved.

Donna McCormick, the first female President of the Custer Institute in Southold, is poised and ready to make that facility ready for usage throughout the twenty-first century. Part of her plan is to raise money by creating new and innovative money streams. Her vision is very positive for the north fork. She is just another of the many bright, talented, and committed citizens. It is these types of people who make the North Fork of Long Island one of the most dynamic places to live and raise a family.