BYU Astronomical Society Officers
President: Mason Rohner
Mason, a junior in physics and astronomy, can't actually decide what it is he loves most. He is taking chemistry, music, history, and computer science classes "for fun", splits his time as Vice President of the Minecraft Club, tries his best to make an adventure RPG video game, and would be the proud dad of several chickens if Provo city codes would allow it. So why did he commit to astronomy? Perhaps he wants to help to conquer the "final frontier", or perhaps he finds the idea of finding radial velocities of Cepheid variable stars too attractive to ignore. Or maybe he just thinks space is cool, I dunno. Whatever the reason, he believes anyone can be a scientist if they simply ask enough questions! What will you ask him?
Vice President of Social Media: Megan Garyson
Megan, a junior studying Physics & Astronomy with a minor in French, calls the city suburbs of Indiana her home. She finds beauty in both the vastness of the cosmos and in the small details of everyday life. Her fascination with the universe began on her mission under the quiet skies of middle-of-nowhere France, where she really saw the stars for the first time, and it has since evolved into a lifelong curiosity. Outside of academics, she enjoys making and listening to music, going on scenic drives, weightlifting, indulging in all things French, and spending time with people—usually accompanied by a healthy dose of sarcasm.
Friday Night Coordinator: Brandon Burton
Brandon, a sophomore majoring in Physics and Astronomy with a minor in Mathematics, believes YOU are an astronomer! He fell in love with astronomy in the sixth grade after a dedicated teacher pointed him to Phil Plait’s crash course series. Brandon loves hiking, reading, learning random facts, and seeing people get excited about things they’re passionate about. Ultimately, to Brandon the cosmos isn’t just an awe-inspiring intergalactic ballet of art, physics, and explosions, but the literal fingerprints of a loving Creator.
Vice President of Finances: Regal Ledbetter
Regal, a senior in Applied Physics with a minor in Astronomy, would have been a wizard like Gandalf if that was possible. So instead, he went with the next best thing. He loves learning, but most especially about science in real life and fantasy in...not real life. After diligently doing his schoolwork and other responsibilities, he sometimes manages to squeeze in his hobby of being a part-time monster hunter, dungeon crawler, and all-around good guy. In his pursuit of truth, he seeks to learn by study and by faith, with his life built on the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Vice President of Communications: Sidra Al-Muhammed
Sidra, a sophomore studying physics and astronomy with a minor in math was born in Provo, Utah, but is originally Syrian and spent most of her life in Jordan. Sidra loves painting, reading, playing video games and watching anime.
Assistant to the President: Raymond Kelly
Raymond, a junior in the Physics and Astronomy Department, is renowned for his exceptional sense of responsibility, serving as a dependable club officer. His unique passions include a fascination with dinosaurs and a heavenly voice that graces the performances of the BYU Men's Chorus in prestigious concert halls. Originally from Houston, Texas, Raymond enjoys immersing himself in literature. He actively participates in the ESports club, focusing on the latest Main Line Pokémon Game, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Raymond's academic journey shifted from Mechanical Engineering to Physics and Astronomy, driven by his profound passion for learning and the captivating mysteries of the cosmos.
Primary Faculty Advisor: Dr. Aleksandr Mosenkov
Coming Soon!
Planetarium Director: Dr. Jeannette Lawler
Dr. Lawler, the esteemed director of the planetarium and the virtuoso orchestrator of telescopic marvels. Her reputation as a master in public engagement precedes her, forged through academic journey crowned by dual bachelor's degrees in the disciplines of physics and mathematics, while her scholarly journey culminated in the attainment of a distinguished PhD in Physics. Her early research strides led her into the profound realm of fusion, where she probed the mysteries of the universe's most powerful reactions. Yet, her current scholarly pursuits have shifted towards the field of physics education, where she is devoted to illuminating the path of knowledge for eager and aspiring minds, nurturing the next generation of physicists and educators alike.