James Borgardt

Dr. Jim Borgardt is currently a professor of Physics at Juniata College, and has a multitude of degrees that exemplify his vast knowledge and interest in the subjects he teaches. Jim received a B.S. in both Mathematics and Physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, along with a minor in Global Peace and Security. He then earned his M.S. at the University of Arizona with concentrations in Physics, Philosophy, and Philosophy of Science. He completed his PhD in Physics with a minor in Philosophy and concentration in Nuclear Physics, Ion Beam Analysis, and Surface Chemistry at the University of Arizona. In addition to these academic accomplishments, Dr. Borgardt is an active member of the science community through his contributions to various organizations and courses he has taught. 

Certainly not by coincidence, Juniata College’s SPS Chapter has won the Outstanding Chapter Award for a continuous 17 years with Dr. Borgardt named as its advisor. When he served as a teaching assistant at the University of Arizona, Dr. Borgardt earned the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for three consecutive years from 1992 to 1994. He has been described as the “impetus behind [the] active and successful SPS chapter”. Through his time as a professional member of the American Physical Society (APS), the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), Dr. Borgardt has displayed his dedication and passion for this field. His continuous service throughout his educational and professional career is what makes Dr. Borgardt be described by students as a “long-lasting role model for [those] that hope to do this important work throughout [their] lives.”