Outstanding Service to Public Education

Orange County Board of Education Recognizes Jack Bedell

June 23, 2010 :: No. 164

Jack Bedell

John W. “Jack” Bedell, emeritus professor of sociology at Cal State Fullerton, recently was awarded the Orange County Board of Education’s Marian Bergeson Award.

Bedell, a board member since 2003, serving terms as the board’s president and vice president, received the award in recognition of his work in “providing outstanding governing board service and community service to promote and enhance public education.”

Recipients are selected by past awardees. The award serves as a tribute to Bergeson, who was a member of the California State Assembly, California State Senate and Orange County Board of Supervisors, as well as serving as the state’s secretary of education.

“I am honored to acknowledge Dr. Bedell for a lifetime of exemplary leadership,” said Bergeson as she presented the award. “He is a knowledgeable, compassionate man of integrity. As a dedicated advocate of public education, Jack is an outstanding candidate for this award. He truly cares, and his work has supported the success of countless students and community members.”

Beyond the Orange County Board of Education, Bedell also served two terms as president of the California County Boards of Education, as well as vice president, plus two terms as president of the Fullerton School District Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Fullerton board for nine years.

Bedell, who announced his retirement from the university after more than 40 years of service, served several terms as chair of the Sociology Department, as well as chair of the departments of Child Development, Electrical Engineering and, most recently, Anthropology.

He also served twice as director of the Faculty Development Center, as well as acting vice president for academic affairs. In addition, Bedell led the university’s Academic Senate for five terms — a record that no other faculty member has achieved.

Bedell was chair of the California State University Academic Senate for three terms and acting associate vice chancellor of academic affairs for the university system.

While taking on these leadership roles, Bedell continued to teach classes that filled up quickly because students recognized him as an outstanding teacher.
In addition to his four decades of campus service, Bedell has served as president and vice president of the Fullerton Civic Light Opera Board of Directors, as well a member of the board of the Orange County Area Agency on Aging.

Previously, the educator was honored with Cal State Fullerton’s Faculty Leadership in Collegial Governance Award in 2007.

He and his wife, Sue, reside in Fullerton, as do their two children and four grandchildren. Bedell’s son, John, is a CSUF police officer and Orange County SWAT team member.

Photo:

Available online at www.fullerton.edu/newsphotos

Media Contact:
Valerie Orleans, Public Affairs, 657-278-4540 or vorleans@fullerton.edu

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