Orange Coast College

TOM GARRISON "FIRST-EVER" DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Tom Garrison, Ph.D.

Marine sciences professor Tom Garrison, Ph.D., has been named Orange Coast College’s first-ever “Distinguished Professor” by the OCC Academic Senate.

Dr. Garrison, who has taught at OCC for 40 years, was nominated for the honor by Dennis Kelly, chairman of OCC’s Marine Science Department, and Lee Gordon, assistant business professor.

The nomination was supported by recommendation letters from students, faculty members and representatives of the University of Hong Kong Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California and Colorado University.

Dr. Garrison’s teaching awards include “Outstanding U.S. Marine Educator” by the National Marine Technology Society, the Salgo-Norens Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching, and 1997 OCC Faculty Member of the Year. He also received the University of Texas National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) award for outstanding contributions to teaching and learning.

“Oceanography,” written by Dr. Garrison, is among best-selling textbooks in the world. He was also writer and science advisor for the award-winning television series “Oceanus.”

Dr. Garrison “is a champion for our oceans,” Kelly said in his nomination letter. He has influenced students to study oceanography and served as a model to faculty members in the “art” of teaching, he added.

Gordon commended Garrison for co-founding OCC’s Honors Program with OCC Librarian Carl Morgan and directing the program for many years. He praised the marine science professor for “inspiring and leading the college to new levels of accomplishment.”

The business instructor said he sits in on Dr. Garrison’s popular oceanography class in the Robert B. Moore Theatre to learn new methods for teaching large group classes.

“After 40 years of teaching, Tom comes back from his lectures completely thrilled about that day’s topic and his passion to keep improving his game,” wrote Karen Baker, professor of marine science and biology in a recommendationletter. “For me, Tom Garrison is already a ‘Distinguished Professor.’”