Featuring Dr. Todd Young, professor of physics and astronomy, director of the Fred G. Dale Planetarium, and coordinator of the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP).
When walking into the Fred G. Dale Planetarium, stop and read some of the numerous thank you letters on the wall from elementary school children and it’s easy to see why Dr. Todd Young loves his job as director of the planetarium. Young, also a professor of physics and astronomy at Wayne State, is this week’s subject of the Faculty Spotlight Series.
Young’s planetarium and laser shows for the Fall 2025 semester begin Friday, Sept. 12. View a complete planetarium schedule.
“The planetarium has been upgraded with a new single-lens ultra-high-def projection system and the immersive Digistar astronomy software,” said Young, a native of Chaska, Minn. “The planetarium has once again become the most technologically advanced and educationally versatile planetarium in the region. If you haven’t been to a planetarium show in a while, it’s time to come back.”
The planetarium isn’t the only thing that occupies Young’s time. He’s also the coordinator of the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) at Wayne State, and he’s the contact for students wanting to enroll in RHOP’s medicine program.
“RHOP is a premiere ‘pipeline’ program that partners Wayne State and University of Nebraska Medical Center as they provide students from rural Nebraska with an educational path that ends with a career as a health professional serving rural Nebraska,” said Young, who has been teaching at Wayne State since 1998. “This rigorous program has proven successful at Wayne State since 1990 and is for the best-of-the-best of Nebraska high school students. Tuition waivers and other scholarships are provided to these students as well.”
Young is equally proud of his students in his astronomy and physics courses.
“Physics is the ‘fundamental’ science because its laws and principles are the foundation of all other sciences,” said Young. “As such, it would benefit students to take at least one semester - ideally two semesters - of physics to strengthen their understanding of whatever branch of science they want to master for their future career. And remember, physics can be ‘phun’ too!”
“Astronomy is the ‘universal’ science because it is the only science where you get to virtually tour the universe,” added Young. “Students should take an astronomy class to learn about all of those marvelous and incredible astronomical objects out in the universe, including the Sun, our Solar System, our Milky Way, giant nebulae, and black holes! Additionally, no matter what your career or role in life, we all live under the same sky, so it's important to understand what we see in that sky every day, every month, and every year of our lives.”
Young's scholarship and research interests include astronomy education, contributing content to numerous astronomy textbooks, RR Lyrae variable stars and the instability strip, and interactive astronomy lessons in the planetarium. He also loves to bring physics and astronomy to the community with annual star parties and other similar events.
Young is a member of the Great Plains Planetarium Association, the International Planetarium Society, the Western Alliance Planetarium Association, and the Nebraska Academy of Science. He received the George Rebensdorf Teaching Excellence Award in 2008.
Young earned his bachelor of arts degree in Physics and English (minor in Mathematics) from the University of Minnesota-Morris, his master’s degree in Physics from Purdue University, and his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Fun Fact: I am a certified sci-fi/fantasy geek! My favorite sci-fi novel is “Ready Player One;” my favorite fantasy novels are “The Lord of the Rings;” my favorite sci-fi television show is “Eureka;” and my favorite fantasy movies are, of course, the “Star Wars” movies. Additionally, I love going to Renaissance Festivals, and I have a full cosplay outfit to prove it!