A finished rubix cube sits on his desk. “I am pretty slow at finishing the puzzle,” says Dr. James Jung, chemistry professor at Campbell University, “It takes me at least five minutes to complete it.”His record may not compare with the world record holder Toby Mao’s time of 10.48 seconds, but it’s an impressive feat nonetheless.Jung has taught at Campbell for 45 years and has no plans to retire yet. He joined the Campbell faculty as a chemistry professor in 1962. He became chair of the department just one year later, rising to chairman of the Division of Mathematics and Science in less than a decade. His accomplishments as a graduate student were no less outstanding. The recipient of three prestigious fellowships, Jung also garnered numerous honors. He clearly could have written his own ticket at almost any college or university in the country, yet he chose to remain at Campbell to build his career.”I never really thought about why I stayed at Campbell so long until I was asked to give a speech about it,” said Jung. “Words spoken by my daughter gave me the answer. She said that what I did touched lives and this made me think of which students I had helped.”One student stood out in his mind- a young woman who was struggling through school. He took her under his wing and she became valedictorian of her class.When looking back at their father’s career, each of Jung’s five children echoed similar reasons why their father has remained at Campbell.”At Campbell, he is able to put his heart and soul into teaching,” said Dayna Jung Scarborough, one of Jung’s daughters. “At a larger university, the teaching is often done by teacher’s assistants, and the role of professor becomes one of publishing, grant writing and patent filing. I think he is grateful for the intimate setting Campbell has provided for forming relationships with his students.”Another one of Jung’s daughters, Krystal Alligood said, “I believe that my father has continued to teach for so many years because he truly loves teaching and interacting with students. I also think that, initially, my father stayed at Campbell because the University and the Buies Creek community provided a wonderful environment in which to raise his children. But ‘staying at Campbell’ has really meant ‘growing with Campbell,’ because, as the University has grown, it has provided opportunities for him to grow along with it. In recent years, he’s gone from chalkboards to PowerPoint presentations.”Jung gave this year’s Founder’s Day speech. Dr. Wallace, the president of Campbell University, introduced him and said all the work done by Jung has been outstanding in every measurable way.”He is a beloved faculty member,” said Wallace. “My daughter had the opportunity to take Organic Chemistry from him and when she comes to visit Campbell, she always wants to see Dr. Jung.”Jung has had the opportunity to teach many students, but that wasn’t always the case. When he first came to Campbell he would hope for at least two dozen students in his Organic classes. Now there is no problem filling up the classes. This semester he has 154 students and the class keeps growing. This is due mostly to the surge in interest in pharmacy.Jung has also had the chance to teach four out of his five children.”I had the privilege of intensive studies in the courses of Organic Chemistry and of Chemical Separations and Analysis under the very capable and inspiring teaching of Dr. James M. Jung, my dad,” said Anita Jung Bunce.Jung always wanted to be a teacher, but never took chemistry in high school or college. One of his duties in the military was to teach the other soldiers small unit tactics and methods of instruction.After he got out of the service he pursued his master’s in Education at University of North Carolina (UNC). At that time UNC had a fellowship for a science teacher, but the position was filled. At the last moment the recipient turned it down and it was offered to Jung. At this point he had to take science courses and this propelled his love for chemistry.Dr. Jung received a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Davidson College and a Master of Education in secondary education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). He also earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from UNC-CH. He is the recipient of the Dupont Science Teacher’s Fellowship, the Petroleum Research Foundation Fellowship and the Tennessee Eastman Fellowship.He is married to the former Patty Ludwig who is the Minister of Music Emeritus for Memorial Baptist Church of Buies Creek. They are the parents of five children, Anita Bunce(`80) and Alisa Jung, of Lexington, N.C.; Dayna Scarborough (`82), who lives near Greensboro, N.C.; David Jung (`87), of Raleigh, N.C.; and Krystal Alligood (`88) of Raleigh. Four of the five children are Campbell graduates.All the children majored in a science. Dayna, David and Krystal all work at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Alisa works as a nurse at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Anita is employed as the Director of Music at Coggins Memorial Baptist Church.”The children have always been interested in science, but Patty and I never pushed them,” said Jung. “They had to make their own decisions.””They never tried to push us in any particular direction,” said Alisa Jung. “It was always whatever we wanted to pursue, and they were very supportive of any decisions we made — and still make. We could turn to them for advice and encouragement in anything we would undertake.”David Jung said, “During family dinner, I used to listen to my dad and older sisters talk about working in the chemistry lab. I was always intrigued by their conversations and the scientific language used to describe what they were doing. I guess I always knew that I was going to be a chemist.”It’s not all academics for Jung. He loves to take in a good game of golf and everyone knows it.”Keith Hills is by far the best course,” said Jung. “It is the best kept secret of the area.”Jung is praised by his coworkers, his students and most importantly his family.”He’s very intelligent, can do anything, and doesn’t do anything half-way,” said Alisa Jung. “He’s loved and appreciated, and he thoroughly enjoys teaching and working with his students. I believe that encourages him to keep teaching. He loves seeing his students succeed in their professions; and, he does seem to keep up with many of his students. They respect him and love him enough that they keep in touch with him, letting him know where they are and what they’re doing. And that’s a testament to the admiration his students have for him, which very likely encourages him to keep on ‘showing up for class’.”
A Campbell University legacy