Mesa Musings:

He ranks as one of the finest teachers ever to ply his trade in Orange County — or the universe, for that matter!

Scholarly, dynamic and witty — as well as a showman and adrenaline junkie — he’s given far more large lecture hall presentations than, say, the legendary Kingsfield (John Houseman in the 1973 film, “The Paper Chase”) or just about any other college professor you could name.

A lecture hall warhorse, he’s Tom Garrison, OCC’s marine science professor who’s putting the finishing touches on his 40th year at the college. The school’s Academic Senate recently named the 65-year-old Newport Beach resident its first Distinguished Professor.

No one is better suited for his or her profession than “Dr. Tom,” and he harbors no intentions of retiring.

“I’m not ready to go,” Garrison says candidly. “Students continue to express interest in my classes, and I still can’t wait to get behind the podium. I have 450 students in my oceanography class this spring, and I love the energy it generates.”

Why would he retire? This is an exhilarating period in his life. He’s now teaching the grandchildren of the first OCC students he taught in 1969.

A former U.S. Navy officer, and son of an admiral, Tom taught nuclear physics at the Naval Station, San Diego. During his four decades at OCC, 60,000 students have enrolled in his lecture hall classes. He runs into many of them during his travels.

In 1997, Tom was named the college’s Faculty Member of the Year. He served for many years as chairman of the marine science department, the largest community college marine science program in the nation, and was co-chairman of the college’s Honors Program.

In recent years, in addition to fulfilling his duties at OCC, Tom has been a guest lecturer at universities in China, Hong Kong and New Zealand. He’s also an authority on the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington.

A Renaissance man and eclectic, Garrison is more than just an expert on things that live in and near the ocean. A classical music critic early in his career, he’s a fan of Mozart and Bach.

Garrison teaches large lecture hall marine science classes as well as marine science labs. He’s the author of the critically acclaimed textbook, “Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science,” which is used at colleges and universities across the land. Now in its sixth edition, it’s been the nation’s No. 1 marine science textbook for a decade.

Garrison worked as a writer and science advisor for the 30-part Emmy Award-winning PBS television series “Oceanus,” produced in the late 1970s. He was a writer and editor when that series was updated as “Endless Voyage” five years ago.

This summer he’ll be lecturing in Hong Kong and Tasmania, and will conduct research in Oslo. He’ll return to OCC for his 41st year in the fall.

“What makes Tom truly exceptional is his love of teaching and learning,” says OCC librarian Carl Morgan. “He instills in students a sense of curiosity and confidence to ask questions and seek unpredictable answers. He teaches marine science, but his students learn to appreciate all of life, including the influence of music and art on human fulfillment.”

A professor’s most important mission, Garrison says, is to constantly bathe students in encouragement.

“I frequently find myself looking at a student and evaluating his or her future prospects,” Garrison says. “Often I say to myself, ‘This person is going to be someone special.’ Most frequently, as the teacher, you know that fact before the student does. It’s imperative that teachers inspire students and make them aware of their potential.”

For Tom Garrison, life at OCC is good.

“These 40 years have been amazing,” he reflects with a smile. “I still have trouble believing that I get paid for doing this!”

JIM CARNETT lives in Costa Mesa. His column runs Wednesdays.