CORNING, N.Y. -- SUNY Corning Community College (SUNY CCC) and Corning Incorporated are proud to announce renowned astrophysicist, author, and science communicator Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson as the featured speaker for the 2027 Walter R. Smith Visiting Scholar Series, which brings world-class thinkers, leaders, and innovators to the region to engage students and community members in meaningful dialogue.

The event will take place on Friday, April 30, 2027, at 7:00 p.m., at the Corning Museum of Glass auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Bringing Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson to our region is an extraordinary opportunity to explore the big questions that shape our understanding of the universe, and we are especially grateful to Corning Incorporated for helping make this event possible,” said Dr. Terence Finley, President of SUNY Corning Community College. “At SUNY CCC, we believe where you start matters, and we are committed to creating experiences that broaden perspectives and open doors for our students and community. We are proud to welcome Dr. Tyson through the Walter R. Smith Visiting Scholar Series to share the wonder and possibility that define the Corning Community College spirit.”

“Corning Incorporated is thrilled to co-sponsor the Walter R. Smith Visiting Scholar Series and welcome Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson to the Southern Tier,” said Dr. Millicent K. Ruffin, Division Vice President, Corning Community Impact. “Dr. Tyson brings complex ideas to life and sparks curiosity across generations, offering a special opportunity for our community, particularly young people beginning to imagine what their futures might hold. We are grateful for these partnerships that create meaningful experiences in the places we call home.”

Dr. Tyson is a world-renowned astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. He serves as director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History and is a research associate in the Museum’s Department of Astrophysics. A graduate of Harvard University and Columbia University, he is the author of numerous New York Times bestselling books, including Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, and served as executive science editor, host, and narrator of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey. His contributions to science and public engagement have earned him 27 honorary doctorates, NASA’s Distinguished Public Service Medal, and appointments to national space policy commissions and NASA’s Advisory Council.

For more information regarding the 2027 Walter R. Smith Visiting Scholar Series, please visit the Visiting Scholar Series page. 

About Corning Incorporated
Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science, with a 175-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics, along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities, to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people’s lives. Today, Corning’s markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, solar, semiconductors, and life sciences.

About Corning Community Impact (CCI)
Established in December 2023, CCI continues Corning’s 73-year track record of giving as it centralizes Corning’s philanthropic and economic development contributions in the U.S. under a single organization to maximize impact in areas that align closely with its Values and business objectives. CCI acts as a trusted resource to nurture vibrant, equitable communities through thought leadership, philanthropic support, and long-term partnerships.