Justin Mason was chosen by the Physics Department to be the new director at ODU's Pretlow Planetarium. The previous director, Dr. Declan De Paor, stepped down in spring 2015 having served as the director since 2009. Justin has been serving as Acting Director since summer 2014 when Dr. De Paor started a research sabbatical after receiving a substantial grant from Google.
Justin has won several awards during his time with ODU. Including the HACE Rookie Staff Member of the Year (2013) as well as the Staff Member of the Year Award (2015), the College of Sciences Staff Member of the Year Award (2015), and was been named the Employee of the Month (12/2013).