Museum system hires both finalists for job

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Union Station liked the finalists for its museum director's position so much that it hired both of them.

They will have different jobs, though.

Former New York Transit Museum director Terrie S. Rouse will oversee all of Union Station's museum operations: Science City and the coming KC Rail Experience, both located in the station, and Corinthian Hall in the city's historic northeast.

Daily operations at Science City, including the museum's planetarium and two theaters, will be directed by Raymond Shubinski, director of the East Kentucky Science Center in Prestonburg, Ky.

Shubinski, who has directed planetariums in Tucson, Ariz., and Memphis, Tenn., will start in Kansas City by the end of September.

His responsibilities will include keeping Science City exhibits in working order and focusing on education and adding timely programs -- tied to astronomical happenings -- in the planetarium.

"Throughout my career I've worked in almost every aspect of museums and science centers," he said in a statement issued by Union Station.

Rouse, who will start her duties in mid-October, has a 25-year resume that includes stints as executive director of the Atlanta Ballet, president of the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and director of the Children's Museum of Maine.

"I was attracted to Union Station because it's so unique, and it's a regional icon," Rouse said in the news release.

The former Science City director, Dean Jernigan, will become the museum's director of education. Jeff Rosenblatt, a lead educator at Science City, will remain with Union Station as director of daily operations at KC Rail Experience.

That museum, set to open Sept. 23, focuses on railroad history and artifacts.

Union Station has also hired Leslie Strube to develop corporate sponsorships.

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On the Net:

www.unionstation.org

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com