University of Texas Arlington

Physics professor talks superflares

UT Arlington physics professor Manfred Cuntz was quoted in a Nature story about a scientific survey of stars that produce superflares, flares thousands of times as energetic as those we see on the Sun. Cuntz agreed with one of the researchers who said the Sun may have had such events several billion years ago. The Sun may have rotated once every few days in its youth, and this churning should have led to the release of magnetic energy in superflares. "It probably happened quite often when the Sun was quite young," Cuntz says. The story also appeared in the Scientific American.

UT Arlington lecturer is Barton's opponent

Frank Kuchar, a preacher turned telecommunications businessman turned accountant, who also teaches at The University of Texas at Arlington, is one the primary opponents mentioned in a Texas Tribune story about Congressman Joe Barton’s re-election campaign. Barton said this is the first time "since probably 1998" that he's had a "marginally competitive primary." But he said his polling still puts him at 50 points ahead of his nearest opponent, with a 5-to-1 favorable-to-unfavorable rating. 

Grad becomes community college dean

Bunker Hill Community College (Boston) has appointed Valerie T. Smith as Dean of Mathematics, Behavioral and Social Sciences, BHCC President Mary L. Fifield announced Thursday, Reuters and several business publication websites reported. Dr. Smith's educational credentials include a master’s in sociology and bachelor’s in history with a minor in Spanish, both from The University of Texas in Arlington.  Bunker Hill Community College is the largest community college in Massachusetts.