NetNews

The "Mars mania" that has gripped the nation is having an effect on University Trustee Derrick Pitts '78.

In a story in the September 1 issue of Time magazine, Pitts -- the chief astronomer at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute science museum -- is quoted as saying, "My phone hasn't stopped ringing." Pitts has been in demand with news media anxious to report on the fact that "the red planet" is the closest its been to the Earth in some 60,000 years.

In addition to the story in Time, Pitts was a guest on Brian Williams' news program on CNBC and is the host of his own show on Philadelphia's public television station. A special about Mars and hosted by Pitts is being shown on PBS stations around the country to mark the celestial phenomenon.

Pitts earned his St. Lawrence degree in geology, and was a member of the Laurentian Singers while a student.

Posted: August 29, 2003