Gene Pearson: Celebrating 50 Remarkable Years

Dr. Pearson joins Pacific as an assistant professor in the Department of Geology and Geography.

Dr. Pearson, now an associate professor, serves as assistant dean for the College of the Pacific.

Now a full professor, Dr. Pearson serves as chair of Department of Geology and Geography.

Dr. Pearson becomes the faculty advisor for the Mortar Board senior honor society, a role he continues to serve in today.

Dr. Pearson receives the Faye and Alex G. Spanos Distinguished Teaching Award, which recognizes College of the Pacific faculty who go beyond teaching by advising, directing research, supervising laboratories and mentoring students and new faculty members.

Dr. Pearson is honored with the Distinguished Faculty Award, Pacific’s highest faculty award. Recipients are nominated by their colleagues and are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in teaching, research, creative endeavors and service to the university.

A member since 1971, Dr. Pearson is elected as a Fellow of the Geological Society of America for his more than 30 years of teaching and service to the Pacific community and his leadership and participation in the Far Western Section of the National Association of Geoscience teachers.

The National Association of Geoscience Teachers honors Dr. Pearson with the Robert Christman Distinguished Service Award. A member since 1972, Dr. Pearson has served in many ways, including Far Western Section (FWS) President and Past President, national and FWS Secretary Treasurer, Historian and more.

Dr. Pearson receives the Pacific Alumni Association’s Faculty Mentor Award. Nominations are made by alumni and other members of the Pacific community for this award, which is presented to faculty members who have mentored students and encouraged alumni to mentor students by providing educational internships and career opportunities.

“When it comes to caring about students — deeply caring about them — he is the real deal. What motivates him is giving of his time and energy to help others. He always listens to what you have to say. He is so respectful of others. I have worked alongside Gene for 30 years and I have enjoyed every minute. When I arrived here as a young whippersnapper, he immediately made me feel completely at home.” 

— Professor Lydia Fox, Director of Environmental Studies and Director of Undergraduate Research, University of the Pacific
 

“I remember, as if it were yesterday, Gene standing at the head of my paleontology class; the first class I had with Gene. On that day I knew something was different. It was in his eyes, his warmth, smile, and empathy, all while talking about a brachiopod. Something told me that that it was not about the brachiopod, but it was about something larger. I did not know then what it meant. It took me 45 years since to get it; greatness — he cared.”

— Ross Overby ’79, Alumnus

“He is as wise as he is kind, and that is in great measure. I still think about him gratefully while sieving and classifying soil at work. He prepared me well. I loved my time in the geology department at Pacific. It was in Dr. Pearson’s capstone class that I learned, and was encouraged to use, the tools Pacific offers to transition from student to employee. I have him to thank for having a job before I even graduated. Congrats Dr. Pearson and thank you!”

— Paula Phelps ’18, Alumna
 

“It was early in the semester during Dr. Pearson's intro class that I realized I wanted to study geology. I don't remember exactly what he was talking about, but I do remember that I had to get up and go outside for a small panic/happy cry about my new discovery. He always made geology seem worth doing and I'm so thankful for that. Even though I was a tour guide for four years, I actually learned the most (well, geology- and topography-related) facts about Stockton from Dr. Pearson.”

— Katie Ortega ’18, Alumna and PhD student in geology at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 

“My favorite memory of Dr. Pearson is how excited he would be in geomorphology discussing sag ponds and scarps, but especially how his feet would patter when he was discussing something that seemed to be really interesting to the course. I know we all found his light and enthusiasm the highlight of our days.”
 
— Kimberlina Gomez ’15, Alumna

“We recognize Gene for thoughtful, sound guidance during a period of growth and change. His long perspective has served as a keel for the organization. His calm manner and ability to slice through to a solution has paved the way for many important decisions. His joyful personality and sense of humor have made this work fun.”

— National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), upon presenting Gene with the Robert Christman Distinguished Service Award

“Congratulations Gene on 50 years of teaching!! Thank you for bringing all of that expertise to NAGT as a section officer, the treasurer, the historian and as an ongoing source of wisdom and balance. I want to also thank you for bringing your sense of humor, your passion for students, and your love of the field trip to NAGT while I was serving as Executive Director.”

— Cathryn A. Manduca, Director, Science Education Resource Center

"Gene is a tireless advocate for Pacific students and pours his heart into every class that he teaches. I’ve had the privilege of hearing anecdotes from so many of our current and former students, and they all tell a similar story of a professor who not only cares deeply about the success of every single student, whether they are a geology major or not, but also inspires in them a love for and curiosity about the world in a way that is accessible to anyone…and his field trips are inspirational!"
 
— Professor Laura Rademacher, Department of Geological & Environmental Sciences, University of the Pacific