California State University, Bakersfield
Faust Gorham dedicated his life and career to closing the technology equity gap. Students who do not have access to the digital tools that are now essential in pursuing a college degree face profound hardships and significant impediments. Mr. Gorham led with imagination, a collaborative, audacious spirit and a deep compassion for the California State University community, particularly the students in Kern County. This rural region has been marked by high rates of poverty and a disproportionate share of first-generation college students who often face educational barriers such as inadequate access to laptops, software and other basic technology.
A catalyst for change and innovation in information technology, Mr. Gorham’s initiatives vaulted California State University, Bakersfield into a new era, allowing the university to update and upgrade its IT infrastructure with the latest technologies and cutting-edge practices, which led to an expansion of services. Simultaneously, this investment also improved the security of the university’s computer network.
Mr. Gorham brought energy, inspiration and unflagging dedication to every activity, project and initiative he was involved in and every team he led. He treated everyone with respect and always made it clear that he appreciated their time, skills and talents. He was a valued mentor for newly hired employees in the IT department, as well as for young men of color in CSU Bakersfield’s EXCEL Scholars program.
Mr. Gorham was a leader in the digital revolution across the CSU. He helped close the digital divide systemwide, ensuring that the benefits of technology were available to students at all campuses. His numerous contributions to the CSU include serving as chair of the Advisory Committee for Enterprise Systems and the chief information officer liaison for the Network Technology Alliance and Common Network Initiative Wireless proposal process, as well as participating in the CSU’s systemwide Cloud Steering Group.
In their heartfelt nomination of Mr. Gorham for this honor, the chief information officers of the 23 campuses of the CSU and his colleagues in the Office of the Chancellor recounted his regular outreach to new chief information officers, offering them support and friendship. His colleagues described him as “a person of integrity, kindness and brilliance who believed that access to a university education was a right, not a privilege.”
In recognition of his dedication in propelling the CSU into the digital future and his success as an authentic leader throughout his career, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, Bakersfield are proud to confer upon Faust Gorham the posthumous honorary degree of Doctor of Science.