Phil Hunter Granted Professor Emeritus Status
Tacoma Community College Physics and Chemistry Professor Phil Hunter’s nomination for Professor Emeritus Status was approved by the college Board of Trustees at the June 11 Board Meeting. Hunter is retiring this year after more than 30 years of teaching at the college.
Hired to teach Chemistry at TCC in 1991, Hunter later switched to teaching Physics. In addition to teaching thousands of students through decades of classroom instruction, he has provided significant leadership to the Science, Engineering and Math division, and to the college as a whole through his curriculum and transfer work. From his nomination:
“Professor Hunter’s nearly decade-long leadership as Chair of the Curriculum Committee remains one of his most transformative contributions to the college. His tenure was characterized by exceptional foresight, meticulous organization, and a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success. In addition to his official responsibilities as Chair, Professor Hunter served as the college’s de facto Curriculum Coordinator, carrying out the full scope of that work well before the staff position was formally established. During this time, he provided essential leadership, continuity, and institutional knowledge, ensuring that curriculum processes remained consistent, transparent, and unwaveringly student-centered.”
Hunter is also credited with leading a Transfer Degree Task Force in 2018. The Task Force worked to ensure that TCC’s transfer requirements aligned with statewide requirements, which creates a smoother transfer experience for students.
“Throughout all of this work, Professor Hunter consistently modeled professionalism, inclusiveness, and deep respect for students and colleagues alike. His institutional knowledge and steady, principled leadership have guided TCC through periods of transition and change, and his influence will continue to be felt for many years to come,” the nomination reads.
TCC thanks Professor Hunter for his decades of service, and wishes him a happy retirement.