image of campus
department of politcal science

In Memory of Neal Tate, 1943-2009

Memorial Service For C. Neal Tate

  • Friday, November 20, 2009
  • 2:00 p.m.
  • Diamond Eagle Suite, University Union
  • University of North Texas
  • Denton, Texas

The Department of Political Science is saddened by the death of Dr. C. Neal Tate.  He passed away September 13, 2009.  Tate came to the University of North Texas as an Assistant Professor in 1970. He became chair of the department in 1980 and served in that capacity until 1986.  He became a Regents Professor in 1989.  In 1997 Neal was named Dean of the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and served there until 2003, when he left UNT to become Chair of the Department of Political Science at Vanderbilt University.  Tate was a noted scholar in comparative politics, judicial politics, and human rights.  He was active in the profession and was serving as President of the Southern Political Science Association at the time of his death.  He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues here and elsewhere.

Memorials may be given in his name to the University of North Texas Department of Political Science, 1155 Union Circle #305340, Denton, TX 76203-5017.


About Our Department

Our department is proud of its outstanding record of teaching, research and service. The department of Political Science at the University of North Texas is home to outstanding scholars and teachers who combine both cutting edge research and award-winning teaching. Our faculty have won the top teaching awards at UNT more than any other department on campus, including the 'Fessor Graham Award, given annually to the very best teacher on campus by the Student Government Association, and the President's Council Teaching Award, given annually to the best teacher on campus as determined by a faculty selection committee. Political Science faculty have also won the top State of Texas teaching and research award, the Minnie Stevens Piper Award, twice.

The Political Science department offers a BA in Political Science and a minor in Peace Studies, as well as MA, MS, and PhD programs in American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Political Theory and Methodology. According to a recent review of political science programs, our department ranks 3rd nationally in “Graduate Training Programs” and 6th in “Affiliation Rankings.” The first of these rankings reflects the productivity of a department's graduate students based on the “average number of PhD's granted annually in the last 3 years.” The second ranking measures faculty productivity adjusting for the number of faculty in the department. As such it “identifies several departments that in recent years have had especially productive faculty . . . [and] may be characterized as departments whose achievements exceed their reputations.” The department is developing the Institute for Democracy, Development and Conflict Resolution with a grant from the US Department of Education. On these web sites you will find many wonderful opportunities for study in our department and learn more about the exciting research our faculty are involved in. Please contact any of us if you have any questions.

Latest Department Bulletin


Eagle Spotlight: Focusing on Our Alums

Robert Earley, BA, Political Science, 1983

Robert EarleyRobert Earley attended the University of North Texas and graduated with a BA in political science in 1983.  After graduation, he went to Washington D.C. to serve on the staff of United States Congressman Tom Vandergriff. Earley then moved back to South Texas to seek a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. When Earley announced his candidacy he was only 23 years old, making him the youngest candidate in the state seeking an office in the Texas Legislature that year.  Earley was elected to serve in the Texas House of Representatives in May of 1984. While serving in the Texas House of Representatives for ten years, Earley was a chairman of the Energy committee.

After leaving the legislature in 1995, Earley accepted a teaching position at Texas A&M University where he taught for three years. After leaving Texas A&M University, Robert was President and CEO of a Public Affairs firm as well as the political analyst for KXAN television, the Austin NBC affiliate. He also taught at St. Edward’s University in Austin for 12 years. Robert was named as a Senior Vice President for JPS Health Network, which includes John Peter Smith Hospital, in October of 2005. He oversaw the departments of Government Affairs, Strategic Planning, Volunteer Services, Public Relations, Health Promotion, Guest Services and Language Services. In May 2008, Earley was appointed Interim President and CEO for JPS Health Network. On Feb. 4, 2009 he was appointed as the President and CEO by the Tarrant County Hospital District Board of Managers.

Earley is married, and he and his wife Tricia, a veterinarian, have an 8-year old daughter.

Previous Honorees


Search the Department of Political Science:

Experts Database
Search experts database for specific name, department, affiliation, or area of expertise:

 


Department of Political Science
1155 Union Circle #305340
Denton, TX 76203-5017

Chair
Dr. John Todd
todd@unt.edu

Political Science UNTranet

University of North Texas | CAS | AA/EOE/AA | Disclaimer | Privacy Statement