Bio

Associate Professor of Sociology; Social Sciences Division, Office SS109, (850) 769-1551, Ext. 4817

rpenton@gulfcoast.edu

Professor Penton has been an employee of Gulf Coast State College since 1989, first as Counselor in Student Support Services, and Adjunct Professor. He has been a tenured professor since January 1993. He currently teaches Principles of Sociology, Social Problems and Marriage and Family Life. In 1994 he was honored with the Outstanding Professor of the Year award in his first year of eligibility. He was promoted to the academic rank of Associate Professor in 1996.

He recently completed co-Authoring his sixth edition sociology textbook entitled Everyday Sociology (2009). Professor Penton also developed and co-authored the Workbook/Study guide to accompany the main text for its three editions.

In addition to teaching, he manages the Sociology and Social Work Programs of Social Sciences, and advises those majors. His initial effort was instrumental in bringing the Bachelor's and subsequent Master's of Social Work Programs to Florida State University's Panama City Campus.

He holds two Associate Degrees from Los Angeles Community College and the University of Maryland. He was awarded his Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Maryland in 1975 and Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Management and Sociology from Pepperdine University in 1981. He completed 52 semester hours of Doctoral course work in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. His current status is AbD. His major area of concentration for the doctorate was Multicultural Diversity.

He is a retired Air Force Captain, having spent the first half of his career as an enlisted member prior to selection to attend Officers Training School. He completed his career commanding a Maintenance squadron of 650 military and civilian personnel at Tyndall AFB in 1988. Briefly owning and operating a family restaurant prior to coming to Gulf Coast State College in April 1989.

Ron Penton is also a Relationships Coach through his N2U Relationship Ministries and conducts workshops and seminars for young and old couples on building successful, intimate and lasting relationships. He is a very active member of Messiah Lutheran Church (ELCA) where he serves as Vice-president of the Church Council, is a Worship Service Team Leader and sings in the Choir.

He is very happily married to Susan Brown Penton. They have six grown children between here and Boston, and five grandchildren between here and Phoenix that they love to spoil. “Isn’t that what Grandparents are supposed to do?”

Favorite Music: Jazz.

Favorite Artists: Paul Hardcastle, Marion Meadows, Kem, Down to the Bone, Euge Groove, Paul Taylor, Peter White, Jeff Loerber, Ronnie Laws, Herbie Hancock, Pieces of a Dream.

Favorite Authors: Stephen Covey, Zig Ziglar, John Grisham.

Favorite Movie: A Time to Kill and The Firm.

Favorite Sport's): Golf, Bowling

Famous People I've met: Alexander Haig, President Bill Clinton, Zig Ziglar, Mark Gorman, Ed Kilbourne, Lawton Chiles, Dr. William H. Cosby, “Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou to name a few..

Favorite Philosophy#2: " It is not what happens to you that matters, but how you handle what happens that makes all the difference in the world." (Covey)

Favorite Philosophy#3: "It is your attitude, not your aptitude that will determine your altitude" (Ziglar)