Ford, Thornton, circa 1965-1997

File — Drawer: M.008 Biographical Files

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

40 black and white photos (some duplicates) of TCC President Dr. Thornton Ford, including portraits, events such as commencement, awards ceremonies, and groundbreakings; news releases and a copy of a speech relating to his installation as president; nine copies of an honorary Associate of Arts and Sciences degree awarded to Ford upon his departure from TCC; multiple versions of his CV; an honorary degree nomination form completed by TCC President Ray Needham in 1992; news clippings, correspondence, and other documents relating to Ford's death and memorial services in 1997.

Dates

circa 1965-1997

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on these materials.

Biographical note

Thornton Morrow (Tom) Ford was born in Seattle, Washington on Octover 10, 1925. He graduated from Roosevelt High in 1943 and went on to the US Naval Reserve. Upon finishing at the Naval Reserve in 1946, Ford enrolled at the Western Washington College of Education in 1949, where he obtained his B.A, followed shortly thereafter by his M.Ed. from the same institution in 1953. Finally, Doctor Ford obtained his Ed.D. from Washington State University in 1965. An avid lifelong learner, Doctor Ford also studied at the University of Washington from 1957-1958, and took classes at Columbia in 1978. Doctor Ford's professional life was also very active. He taught school at Sunnyside and Aberdeen Washington, and worked as an elementary and Junior High teacher in Ketchikan, Alaska. During this time in Alaska, Thornton Ford also served as the director of Ketchikan Community College before accepting his role as the director of Extended Education with the Tacoma Public Schools, and Planning Officer for the Tacoma Community College from 1961-64. In 1961, Doctor Ford was offered the Presidency of Tacoma Community College, a role he filled until 1974, when he left TCC to serve the Bremerton school district as the Superintendent. Married to Rose Mary, he had six children. Doctor Thornton Ford passed away at the age of 72 on Friday, January 17, 1997.