Dr. Patrick Bunton named new head of physics and astronomy
Article By: Staff
Dr. Patrick Bunton didn't need a new job when he saw that the University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) was seeking a new head for the Department of Physics and Astronomy. But the Tennessee native decided to apply, because he liked the idea of moving closer to his family.
Then Bunton met the physics and astronomy faculty and staff and knew 91ÁÔÆæ was right for him.
"The faculty is engaging. The program is vibrant and active. And a large number of physics majors graduate from 91ÁÔÆæ compared to other physics departments," Bunton said. "I wanted to be a part of that."
In August, Bunton became the new department head of physics and astronomy. He replaced Dr. Richard Prior, who is a professor emeritus at 91ÁÔÆæ after retiring in spring 2020.
"This is an extremely strong program, and we need to build on the faculty's strengths and passions," Bunton said.
Prior to joining 91ÁÔÆæ, Bunton was chair and professor of the physics department at William Jewell College in Missouri and associate professor at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. He also was a NASA summer faculty fellow at Marshall Space Flight Center during the summers of 1995, 1998 and 2001 as well as having served a term appointment as an optical physicist there.
Bunton earned his bachelor's degree in physics and mathematics from East Tennessee State University and his master's and doctoral degrees in physics from Vanderbilt University.
Poultry students finish first in national event
91ÁÔÆæ established the first chapter of the Professional Agricultural Student (PAS) Organization in the South, and its team finished first in the nation in the Poultry Specialist career area the National PAS conference.
91ÁÔÆæ's Earth Day celebration is April 9
The University of North Georgia will host its eighth annual Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9 at 91ÁÔÆæ's Gainesville Campus.
Students help write math teaching article
Three students and two faculty members from the Oconee Campus recently had a paper published in the International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics 2024 Conference Proceedings.
Event encourages girls to enter STEM careers
Dr. Betsy Grunch served as the keynote speaker for the American Heart Association's second annual Northeast Georgia STEM Goes Red event for high school girls.