EDITORIAL

If you haven’t taken much notice of the Orange Coast College Faculty

of the Year award before, don’t feel too badly. Few others have either.

This year it’s a different story, however, for among the nominees is

political science professor Ken Hearlson, who certainly is now the most

famous OCC teacher given last fall’s controversy that swirled around him

after Muslim students in one of his classes accused him of verbally

attacking them.

Hearlson, who was removed from the classroom during an investigation

into the accusations, was cleared of the charges and is back teaching.

And now he is in the running to be named the school’s best teacher.

It would seem like quite a reversal, except for one thing: Hearlson

was nominated for the award to keep alive his story, which he and

supporters say raised questions about academic freedom.

We have in the past questioned that assumption. We even more

vehemently believe that this award is not the forum to carry out that

discussion.

The award should be one that honors those who excel in the classroom

-- a difficult, often thankless job. Being able to reach students and get

them excited about learning is a gift deserving of award and recognition.

Grandstanding about other issues is not.

The following teachers, their own peers say, are able to inspire their

students: William B. Barber, associate professor of culinary arts;

Barbara B. Bullard, professor of speech; Gregory D. Clark,

instructor/advisor, Student Leadership Programs; Lance Gilbertson,

professor of biology; Valerie J. Hayward, professor of mathematics; Gena

A. Hollander, instructor in anthropology and sociology; Rose Anne Kings,

instructor in architecture; Karen G. A. Mortillaro, professor of fine

arts; Raymond Obstfeld, assistant professor of English; Susana N.

Salessi, professor of Spanish and Italian; and Jay Zimmermann, professor

of English and education.

Hearlson, by many accounts, also inspires a love of learning. If he

wins this award, we trust it will be for that reason, and no others.

The final election of the award is next week. Stay tuned.