Beeken to chair department of physics and astronomy

A physicist who has served in administration at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for the past six years will return to his department as its chair.

Robert B. Beeken, associate vice chancellor for personnel and budget since 1995, will begin a three-year term this summer as chair of the department of physics and astronomy. He was appointed by Dean of Letters and Science Justus Paul after choosing to return to the department where he will teach and lead the nine-member faculty. In his administrative role in the Office of Academic Affairs, he has dealt with personnel matters such as appointments, retention, tenure, promotion and salaries for faculty and academic staff.

Beeken came to UWSP 21 years ago from Western State College, Gunnison, Colo. A specialist in solid state ionics and magnetic materials, he has been a visiting professor of physics in England and Malaysia. He is a past recipient of UWSP’s Excellence in Teaching Award and the Academy of Letters and Science Distinguished Achievement Award. Beeken and his students regularly publish research findings in the Journal of Applied Physics and Solid State Ionics and also participate in state, national and international physics conferences.

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