Jerry Jorgenson

Gerald Jorgenson, a 1959 graduate of Lincoln High School, was known as an exceptional leader who excelled in everything he did both academically and athletically.  He was a member of the football team for two years, hockey team for three years, and the baseball team for four years.  He captained the hockey and baseball teams his senior year. During his senior year the Prowlers went to the state tournament in hockey and baseball, winning the consolation trophy in hockey. Jorgenson scored 31 goals that year, which ranks fifth on the all-time Prowler scoring records. Gerry was also a member of the student council, Chorus, Thespians and National Honor Society, served as a class officer, acted in the one-act play and senior class play, and was on the staff of the school newspaper and the yearbook. Jerry was confident about and keen to use his talents to serve his friends, family, church and community.

In 1959, “Jorgie”, as friends knew him, entered Harvard College. He graduated in 1963 with a BA Degree with honors in US History.  At Harvard Jerry was a standout athlete in hockey and lettered for three years, playing on the first line his senior year.  During his hockey career at Harvard the Crimson won the Ivy League Championship all three years and the ECAC Championship his senior year.  In his senior year at Harvard, Jerry was awarded the “Donald Angier Trophy” as the most improved player on the team.   After graduation, Jerry remained at Harvard and in 1964 earned his MAT Degree in History. His desire to teach in an urban school led him to San Diego, California where he taught from 1964-1967, helping to start and chairing an English as a Second Language Program.  

In 1967 Jerry went to Columbia University in New York to pursue a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, concentrating on urban schooling and working with emotionally distrubed children and youth.  He earned his Doctorate in Education from Columbia in 1971.  Jerry taught at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, concentrating his research on problems endemic in urban schools.  In 1975 he began teaching at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio where he remained until his retirement in 2004.  During his career in education, Jorgenson taught undergraduate and graduate courses in many aspects of teaching and learning, and worked extensively with residential treatment centers for emotionally distrubed youth. He had significant administrative responsibilities, at various times times chairing the department, directing the programs for learning disabled and gifted students , and coordinating the program to prepare school administrators. He also served on many of John Carroll University’s committees as well as task forces aimed at improving the educational experience, authored numerous publications and made many peer-reviewed presentations. 

Jerry and his first wife raised two sons.  After retiring Jerry moved to Minneapolis where he married Mary Alsop and these days the two of them keep busy by visiting grandchildren, playing golf, traveling, reading, bird watching and volunteering at the Plymouth Congregational Church.   Jerry’s personal hobbies include watercolor painting, the Spanish language, research and writing.  The Prowler Hall of Fame will be enhanced by the addition of Gerald Jorgenson, who is still a leader among leaders.