Hearlson gets support for OCC teacher of the year

Deirdre Newman

OCC CAMPUS -- The tsunami of publicity that engulfed political science

professor Ken Hearlson after he was accused last year of harassing a

group of Muslim students has mostly subsided now that he is back to his

normal teaching routine.

But now this passionate professor finds himself again in the spotlight

after being named a nominee for the college’s Faculty Member of the Year

award.

The nomination also thrusts the thorny issue of academic freedom back

into the forefront of attention -- which was just what history professor

Susan Smith was planning when she nominated him, Hearlson said.

“Opening up the dialogue on academic freedom and what can be said in

the classroom” was the point of her nomination, he said.

Smith could not be reached for comment.

Hearlson was put on paid administrative leave for three months after

he was charged with harassing the students, pending an investigation that

ultimately exonerated him of the bulk of the charges.

Hearlson said he did not seek the nomination but would be honored to

win.

The full-time faculty will vote on the 12 nominated professors on

March 12 and March 13.

The winner will present a lecture in his or her area of expertise and

be feted at a spring reception. The Faculty Member of the Year also

traditionally delivers a speech at graduation.

This is the 11th year the award will be given. Last year, there were

no nominations.

This year is the largest pool of nominations to date, said Jim

Carnett, college spokesman.

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .