Professor Emeritus Thomas O'Neill will be inducted, with nine others, in to the Inaugral Ventura County Educator's Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 6.
His nominator, Gary Johnson, Dean Emeritus, wrote: "Tom O'Neill was Boston born, Irish Catholic and graduated from Notre Dame. He worshipped and reveled in the prowess of "fighting Irish' football. He was the ultimate leprechaun and looked the part in an oversized persona.
In many ways, Tom was Ventura College's most significant faculty member and had there been such a position he would have been, without doubt "Dean of the Faculty."
Tom taught a demanding and ever changing microbiology course throughout his career and as a result was a vital adjunct to the Nursing Program where micro was the most important prerequisite course for Program entry. Through this course Tom took great pride in helping set the standard of excellence the Nursing Program is renowned for. As first faculty member elected to the Ventura College Foundation, Tom generously endowed a major nursing scholarship fund ($100,000.00).
Tom regularly eschewed administration opportunities for what he believed was "the higher calling of teaching." Tom's leadership influence, educational values, and engaging charm contributed powerfully to the culture and traditions that have become Ventura College. Tom O'Neill was the "everyman" and in many ways the heart and soul of what has been the best about Ventura College."
Tom served in the U.S. Navy, Pacific Theater, in World War II, and was a Purple Heart recipient. He was the longest serving faculty member, with us from 1955-2000. While maintaining his academic career he also worked as a part-time research microbiologist for the Navy Department in Port Hueneme. In his research life, he discovered oil consuming bacteria which is usable in oil spill clean-up and as a means for preserving submerged wood materials.
He was the founding Academic Senate President, and served two terms. He chaired all Ventura College accreditation teams during his tenure.
He served annually on high school and community college visiting accreditation teams for Western Association of Schools and Colleges. He was also the Biological Sciences Department Chair from the mid-1970's to mid-1990's.
Tom was a strong supporter of the Ventura College Foundation, sponsoring scholarships and participating in fundraisers for the Ventura College Nursing program and for the biological sciences. He was, posthumous, theGrand Marshall of the Ventura St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2006 which featured the theme "Hats Off to Education."