Front of Camden Hall

Dr. Jim Tung

Academic Dean

Dr. Jimmy Tung, Ph.D., was named the Academic Dean of Hargrave in August of 2017.  He has been the Director of the Center for Integrated Studies (Grade 7-9 program) and Director of Summer Programs since his return to Hargrave in 2011.  Between 1997 and 2008, Dr. Tung has held the positions of Science Department Chair, Director of Summer Programs, and Faculty member. He has taught courses in chemistry, physical science, astronomy, middle school math, pre-algebra, and engineering science. He has coached or advised Middle School soccer, JV baseball, JV/Varsity tennis, and the photography club.

Dr. Tung’s training includes a Bachelor’s of Science (chemistry, pre-med studies) from Truman State University and a Ph.D. from Dartmouth College (physical chemistry).  He has continued his training in education and management through the Virginia Association of Independent School (VAIS), AdvancEd, University of Virginia, and Georgia Tech.  He has been awarded two professional fellowships in education: the Lankford (Hargrave-sponsored) to investigate college freshman student weaknesses and develop technology-enhanced science classrooms, and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation Leadership Program for Teachers’ Environmental Science Institute (Princeton/Rutgers) to study teaching global climate change models to secondary-level students. His teaching awards include the Wolfenden Prize (Dartmouth), the E.A. Floyd Award (Hargrave), and the Outstanding Active Educator (Hargrave).

He is currently an adjunct instructor (chemistry) at Richard Bland College of William and Mary.  His other professional experience includes South Piedmont Community College (faculty), Virginia Tech Office of Special Programs (research professor), the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR, research scientist), and adjunct faculty positions at Liberty University, Averett University, Danville Community College, and Radford University.

Outside of classroom endeavors, Dr. Tung has published articles in the fields of experimental gas-phase kinetics and characterizing and processing composite polymeric materials, given presentations on educational technology, and at faculty training workshops.  He is currently on the executive committee of the Blue Ridge Section of the American Chemical Society and served as a judge at junior/high school science fairs and undergraduate research competitions sponsored by the Virginia Academy of Science. He has been a contributing reviewer for two current university chemistry textbooks, and for Science Books and Films (American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS). He has visited several VAIS member schools as part of their accreditation process.

— Dr. Jim Tung