Moving on

Deirdre Newman

The skipper who has navigated the direction of Orange Coast College

for the past six years will retire in July.

Margaret Gratton, who led the college through a three-year planning

cycle that is just now ending and brought more than 100 professors to the

campus, will replace professional pursuits with personal endeavors.

One of her proudest legacies, she said, is carrying the college

through a generational transition.

“We have had a large number of retirements among the faculty,” Gratton

said. “Being able to replace those faculty members and add new ones

builds the foundation for what the college will be over the next

generation.”

The soft-spoken, graceful leader came to OCC from Mt. Hood Community

College in Oregon, becoming the college’s first female president -- a

statistic she wasn’t aware of when she accepted the job.

“I think that I have been able to serve as a role model for other

faculty and staff interested in leadership roles,” Gratton said.

“Students have told me it’s helpful to see a woman in a leadership role.”

Gratton said she is also proud of the three-year planning cycle, which

met all of its goals.

“Unlike many plans, we looked at it many times and did use it as a

guide and reference. Now, toward the end of the cycle, we have reviewed

it and have achieved almost everything,” Gratton said.

She also was instrumental in bolstering the college’s institutional

research department, which collects all the schools’ data.

Gratton said the administration has also healed from the controversy

last fall involving political science professor Ken Hearlson, who was

accused and then mostly cleared of harassing some Muslim students in his

class following Sept. 11. After the independent investigation, Hearlson

received a letter from Gratton that he considered a reprimand.

One of Gratton’s most treasured memories will be the feeling of

camaraderie among the staff on campus that she said was especially

vibrant after Sept. 11.

“What has helped us through this year is the very respectful and

caring human community,” Gratton said. “Probably the strongest feeling I

take away is the way people care about each other at OCC.”

She will also miss her favorite campus spots that enabled her to

escape the daily grind and enjoy some quiet meditation. One of those is

the horticulture gardens where lilac, lavender, yellow and fuchsia

flowers bloom in a picturesque setting.

“My favorite time on campus is right at sunset,” Gratton said.

“There’s usually a kind of peaceful quality. Strolling around the campus,

you can smell the fragrance of the eucalyptus trees.”

Gratton said she looks forward to resting for a few months, before

embarking on some writing projects and consulting.

“I’d like to write essays about various subject matters,” Gratton

said. “I also enjoy writing poetry. I think there’s a book in me

somewhere. I just don’t know what it’s about.”

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

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