GlaxoSmithKline is getting its name in the stars.
The pharmaceutical company gave $1.5 million to help convert the Star Theater at the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill to digital from analog technology.
The theater will be renamed the GlaxoSmithKline Fulldome Theater, officials announced today.
GSK has supported programs at Morehead for years. The British company has its North American headquarters in Research Triangle Park and employs about 5,000 people in the Triangle.
The company "is committed to making positive contributions to the communities where employees live and work and to invest in health and education programs," GSK senior vice president Janice Whitaker said in a prepared statement.
Such donations also help corporations build their brand names.
The theater is closed during January for the conversion and is scheduled to reopen Feb. 5. Morehead officials expect more than 160,000 visitors, including 85,000 schoolchildren, during the next year.
Assistant Business Editor Alan M. Wolf joined the N&O in 1999 covering the business of health care. He became an editor in 2001, and helps oversee the paper's daily business coverage and Sunday Work&Money section. He lives in Clayton with his wife and two children. Reach him at 919-829-4572 or 
Comments
Morehead Planetarium
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 22:00 — SkepticalGirlIf GSK really wanted to do anything but expand their name recognition, they would give the money with no strings attached. Maybe UNC won't care if soon they are playing basketball at the GSK Dome, or football at the Levitra (or whatever) Stadium. Some things ought not be for sale.
Skepticalgirl is right again
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 23:19 — watchtowerI think this blog has changed since I first posted. I don't recall seeing the name change before? I click on this link again and that is first thing I see???? Bogus! GSK has no shame and evidently neither does UNC. Now my kids won't just see Levitra etc.... ads on TV, they will see them on field trips to the Drug Dome.
Better than Levitra Ads!
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 17:43 — watchtowerWay to go GSK! I approve this message and see no side effects. More money spent on charity, less money spent on embarrassing commercials telling me I should ask my doctor about a problem I didn't know I had until the commercial told me I was not normal, is a good thing.
Watchtower out.
I applaud GSK's decision..
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 16:06 — UNC1998Morehead Planetarium is a wonderful resource for the people of this area. The gift will make that resource better. It's just a win win situation.
@Landshark, Before you
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 13:41 — ashley41683@Landshark, Before you criticize a corporation for making a donation to improve their community and benefit thousands of local school children for years to come practice your grammar so that it comes across at least somewhat effectively. As it is you look like a moron.
I recall going to Morehead when I was in elementary school and it was amazingly fun. We always looked forward to those trips. I'm glad GSK made this donation so kids can continue to enjoy the stars this way.
Haiti
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 12:33 — landsharkToo bad the Haitians done have a Planetarium, they could use 1.5 million dollars to build a home for ever Haitian in Haiti! GlaxoSmithKline, can't get a tax write off for helping the Haitians!
GSK has donated medicines
Tue, 01/26/2010 - 20:41 — ApexRes98GSK has donated medicines and money to various organizations helping those in Haiti. The total is already over 1.5 million dollars. Sorry to ruin your snark.