Commission from 1951–1952, and the Board of Regents of the University of California from 1955 until 1960. In 1958 Storke wrote California Editor, a lengthy memoir rich in local Santa Barbara history. The John Birch Society attacked the Eisenhower administration and U.S. Chief Justice Earl Warren as being communists in 1961. Storke responded with a caustic series of editorials in the News-Press which won him popular acclaim as well as a number of prizes. These included the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism, for Editorial Writing in 1962, the Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award, and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Colby College. Storke's death was caused by a stroke in 1971 at age 94, having had 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Contributions Storke used his political clout to help obtain the present UCSB campus, over 900 coastal acres (3.6 km2) and a former military installation, from the US Government under the college land grant program. Part of Storke's lasting legacy is Storke Tower, a 190-foot structure in the center of the UCSB campus, being the tallest tower in the county as well as the only five-octave chromatic bell system. Beneath Storke Tower is the Storke Communication Plaza, which houses the offices of the campus Daily Nexus newspaper and the studios of community radio station KCSB-FM. See also History of Santa Barbara, California Notes References Baker, Gayle. Santa Barbara. Harbor Town Histories, Santa Barbara. 2003. Tompkins, Walker A. Santa Barbara History Makers. McNally & Loftin, Santa Barbara. 1983. Storke, Thomas M. California Editor. Westernlore, Los Angeles. 1958. External links Guide to the Thomas More Storke Papers at The Bancroft Library 1876 births 1971 deaths California postmasters Citrus farmers Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award recipients Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing winners People from Santa Barbara, California University of California regents Democratic Party United States senators from California California Democrats Journalists from California Burials at Santa Barbara Cemetery