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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I wanted to let the Physics Department and alumni know that I will no longer be the Department Head starting August 1<sup>st</sup>. I have accepted the position as Associate Dean for the College of Science
and Engineering at A&M-Commerce. So I will still be on campus just in a new location. Kurtis Williams will be serving as the Interim Department Head for this school year. During the year a search will be undertaken for a new Department Head, the details
of whether it will be a national or an internal search have not been decided yet. There will also be a search for a Physics Education Researcher faculty position this year to fill the spot vacated by Dr. Modir. If the Department does an internal search for
Department Head there will be a search for a new Assistant Professor or it will be a national search for a Department Head. In both cases it will most likely be a search for an astronomer because that is where the current need is greatest with me leaving
and Kurtis taking on a reduced load as Department Head. This change has also created some changes to the course schedule for the fall and spring semesters. Some of the changes have already been made and some are still pending.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I have enjoyed serving as Department Head for the past six years, getting to know all the students that have passed through, working with the faculty, dealing with Covid together, and keeping this (in my totally
unbiased opinion </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Wingdings">J</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt">) the best department on campus.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I will do all I can to make the transition easier, I wish you all the best of luck and feel free to stay in contact with me.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:#00386C">Kent Montgomery, Ph.D.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F5352">Department Head</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F5352"><a href="http://www.tamuc.edu/academics/colleges/scienceEngineeringAgriculture/departments/physicsAstronomy/default.aspx"><span style="color:#0088CE">Physics and Astronomy Department</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F5352;text-transform:uppercase">P: 903.886.5488</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F5352"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.tamuc.edu/"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:blue;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="250" height="35" style="width:2.6041in;height:.3645in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D9BEE6.03142E30" alt="TAMUC logo"></span></a><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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