Jack Alan Scott (born August 24, 1933) is an American educator and former Democratic politician. Currently, a scholar in residence at Claremont University, Scott earlier served as president at two California community colleges, member of the California State Assembly and California State Senate and Chancellor of the California Community Colleges System.
Jack Scott
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|---|---|
| Member of the California Senate from the 21st district | |
| In office 2000–2008 | |
| Preceded by | Adam Schiff |
| Succeeded by | Carol Liu |
| 9th President of Pasadena City College | |
| In office 1987–1995 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Casey |
| Succeeded by | James Kossler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 24, 1933 |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Abilene Christian University, Yale Divinity School, Claremont Graduate University |
| Profession | Politician, Teacher |
| |
Scott was born in Sweetwater, Texas. He received a Bachelor's degree from Abilene Christian University, a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, and a Ph.D. degree in American history from Claremont Graduate University. Scott joined the faculty at Pepperdine University, after moving to California in 1962. [1]
In 1973 Scott became Dean of Instruction at Orange Coast College. Five years later he became president of Cypress College, serving from 1978 to 1987. Scott became president of Pasadena City College in 1987 and served there until 1995. He is the first President Emeritus of that school. Scott was elected to two terms in the California State Assembly, 44th District, in 1996 and 1998. He was elected to two terms the California State Senate, 21st District, in 2000 and 2004. He chaired the Senate Committee on Education and was a member of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education.
While serving in the state Senate, Scott introduced legislation that would ban Mylar balloons in response to the Burbank Water & Power complaining about hundreds of power outages caused by these kinds of balloons.[2] This had led to protests, led by KFI hosts John and Ken.[3] The Senate eventually passed an amended version of the bill that would raise the penalty for selling a balloon without a proper weight attached and require the balloon to have a warning about the risks of the balloon coming in contact with power lines.[4][5]
On May 8, 2008, Scott was selected to be the 14th Chancellor of the California Community Colleges System, the largest system of higher education in the world. Serving over two million students on 112 college campuses, the statewide system is divided into 72 community college districts, overseen by locally elected Boards of Trustees. [6] Retiring from that position in late summer 2012, Scott became a scholar in residence at Claremont University on September 17, 2012. [7]
Scott is very active in gun control. He began his gun control efforts after his son Adam was fatally shot. His son Adam, an attorney who had recently graduated from USC Law School, was at a party with friends and one of his friends had a shotgun, which he did not know was loaded. His friend discharged the shotgun, hitting Adam and killing him. [8]
Scott and his wife, Lacreta, have five children, eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.