Farrell, 65, is a former OCC dean who served as vice chancellor of business affairs for the Coast Community College District for a dozen years until his retirement nearly three years ago.  He comes out of retirement to take over the OCC presidency.  The longtime Huntington Beach resident became Orange Coast College’s interim president last July.

        Farrell has been an instructor and administrator with the Coast District for 31 years.  He replaces Margaret A. Gratton, who retired last July after serving six years as Orange Coast College’s chief executive officer.  Gratton concluded her career after logging 32 years as a community college educator and leader.

        “I’m very excited with the prospect of serving as Orange Coast College’s president,” Farrell said.  “We face difficult economic times and many serious challenges ahead, but my philosophy is one that emphasizes a team approach to solving problems.  As an old football coach, I recognize the value of working together in pursuit of a common goal.

        “I love Orange Coast College.  It’s a campus that has always moved ahead and, though we face difficulties, we’ll come out of this current financial malaise just fine.  Since taking over as interim president last July, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time on OCC’s campus.  I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and work hard for the next two years.”

        After reviewing the candidates for the presidency of Orange Coast College, the search committee recommended to the chancellor and the Coast District Board of Trustees that Farrell be offered the position through June 30, 2005.

        “The search committee unanimously agreed that having a president who is knowledgeable about the college, the district and the state budget processes will be critical over the next two years as the college grapples with this disastrous economic situation,” said Dr. John D. Renley, Coast District vice chancellor of human resources.  “Farrell will not have to face a steep learning curve on these issues, and can instead draw upon his extensive background to make difficult budget decisions and to develop the new facilities and academic master plans that will determine the future of the Orange Coast College.”

         The committee also agreed that it would be very difficult for a new president to be successful during a time when the college is facing massive budget cuts to courses and programs.  Renley said a new search committee will be established in approximately 18 months to begin the process of replacing Farrell after June of 2005.

         A community college product himself, Farrell attended Compton College and was a Compton football player.  He went on to play three years of football at California State University at Long Beach, and earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees there.  He did additional post-graduate work at Long Beach, Chapman University and Cal State Fullerton.

           After serving as a high school history and geography teacher, and football and wrestling coach, Farrell joined the Golden West College faculty in 1969.  In addition to teaching in the physical education department, he was an assistant football, baseball and track and field coach.  He was Golden West’s head wrestling coach for one season.

         Farrell was the GWC athletic director for two years, from 1980-82, and served as associate director of business services from 1982-84.  He was director of business services from 1984-86.  Farrell moved to Orange Coast College’s campus in 1986 as dean of administrative services.  He was responsible for the coordination of all fiscal affairs on the OCC campus.

           Farrell became the Coast District’s vice chancellor of business affairs in 1988.  He was responsible for budget development and management, and for facilities planning.  He also served six months as acting vice chancellor of human resources.

         Following his retirement in 2000, Farrell served as an administrative consultant with Long Beach City College and with the Ventura County Community College District, and as OCC’s interim president.

           Farrell becomes the eighth president in Orange Coast College’s 55-year history.  The college’s presidential roster includes: Dr. Basil H.  Peterson (1947-64), Dr. Norman E. Watson (1964), Dr. Robert B. Moore (1964-82), Dr. Bernard J. Luskin (1982-84), Dr. Donald R. Bronsard (1985-89), David A. Grant (1989-95), Margaret A. Gratton (1996 2002) and Gene J. Farrell (2003). 

           He and his wife, Dorothy, have three grown children and six grandchildren.  Farrell enjoys travel, history and golf.

         The Coast Community College District is the seventh largest community college district in the nation in credit enrollment, serving 55,000 students each semester.  The district is comprised of Coastline Community College headquartered in Fountain Valley, Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, and KOCE-TV, the district’s public broadcasting station.

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