Jack Bedell

Jack Bedell, a longtime educator, known for his humor, gained a reputation for taking on leadership roles.

In addition to serving as chair of the faculty advisory body in 1976-77, 1988-89, 1989-90, 2004-05 and 2005-06, Bedell has been:

• Chair of the Anthropology Department (2006-2010)
• Chair of the Sociology Department (1972-78, 2002-05)
• Chair pro tem of the Electrical Engineering Department (spring 1993)
• Coordinator of the Child Development Program (1979-1982)
• Director of the university’s Faculty Development Center (1978-80, 2001-02)
• Chair of the systemwide CSU Academic Senate (1978-80, 1982-84)
• Acting associate vice president for academic affairs (1990-1993)
• Acting vice chancellor of academic affairs for the California State University (1984-86)

His leadership qualities have kept him quite busy over his career and earned him numerous accolades, including the university’s Faculty Leadership in Collegial Governance Award in 2007 (he donated the cash award to the faculty fund that provides for memorials, flowers for colleagues who are ill and assists faculty members in need).

Bedell also has been an active leader in the community. He currently serves as president of the Orange County Board of Education, representing 500,000 constituents, as well as trustee of the 4th District, which covers north Orange County. Last year, he was honored with the Orange County Board of Education’s Marian Bergeson Award, recognizing him for more than seven years of service.

In 2007, he was named president of the California County Boards of Education, a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of county boards at the state and federal levels.

In addition, Bedell has served as an officer on the Fullerton Civic Light Opera Board of Directors, as well as a member of the boards of the Orange County Area Agency on Aging and Women’s Transitional Living Center, and served on Fullerton’s former Human Relations and Youth commissions.