Jared Newton

Experience acquired as a teaching assistant (TA) at King College continues to reward Vanderbilt University student Jared Newton.  After graduating from King with degrees in both mathematics and physics, he was accepted into a master’s program in medical physics at the university, located in Nashville, Tenn.  Newton is specifically interested in pursuing a career dealing with cancer therapy using radiation.  While a student at King, he served as a TA in chemistry during his sophomore year and in physics for the remainder of his time at the college. 

“TAs ran tutorials and labs for a course.  I think the tutoring and labs were probably the most important to me.  They say you don’t really know something until you can teach it.”

Newton believes that these responsibilities at King helped guide him toward his current educational path, not only in gaining much-needed experience, but also when applying to graduate schools. 

“The TA positions looked great on applications, which I’m sure helped me get into Vanderbilt.”

Newton also participated in an internship while at King College.  As part of this internship, he traveled to the Air Force Academy in Colorado to study variable stars under the guidance of physics professor Ray Bloomer. 

“It was a great summer and resulted in a published paper.  The next summer, I had a fellowship through the American Association of Physicists in Medicine to do research in medical physics at one of several different schools around the country.  There were only 12 of these positions offered.  I applied, and managed to get it which really speaks for the excellence of my education at King.  I also think the research I did with Dr. Bloomer played a large role in getting the fellowship.”

Still, Newton maintains that the best thing that happened to him while at King College was meeting his wife, Casey (Gunn).  The couple even had the chance to travel to Italy together while still dating and students at the college.

“I advise incoming freshman at King to take advantage of every opportunity to learn.  You never know when it might come in handy.”