To the College Community,
With deep sadness, I share with you the death of former President Jon H. Larson yesterday, November 17. Dr. Larson was Ocean County College’s longest-serving President from August 2000 to June 2023. During his tenure, Dr. Larson had a profound impact on Ocean County College, as well as on New Jersey’s community colleges in general. Dr. Larson dedicated himself to education and community service, for which he was honored with many awards. One honor that was particularly important to Dr. Larson was the naming of the “The Jon and Judith Larson Student Center” in 2016. The naming recognized his and his wife Judy’s longstanding dedication to Ocean County College.
Before taking the helm at Ocean County College, Dr. Larson served as President of Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania; Vice President for Administration at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Maryland; and Research Associate at the University of Maryland’s National Center for Post-Secondary Governance and Finance. He also served as a Platoon Leader/Company Commander in the United States Army’s 63rd Armored Battalion – 1st Infantry Division.
Dr. Larson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Government from Norwich University as well as a Master of Arts degree in Government and Politics and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Larson was pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Judith Donovan Larson, in December 2017 and his eldest son, Jon Michael, in December 2019. He is survived by his son, David, and wife, Angie, of Georgia, and his daughter, Christine, of Virginia.
