Donor establishes scholarship honoring ‘true champion of CSUB’

A new scholarship has been created in the honor of a beloved California State University, Bakersfield staff member that will support students studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

CSUB has received $25,000 from an anonymous donor to establish the Faust R. Gorham Memorial Scholarship Fund. The endowment will fund one $1,000 scholarship a year to a first-generation STEM major starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

Gorham worked nearly nine years at CSUB, most recently as the associate vice president and chief information officer for Information Technology Services (ITS), before his death from cancer last October at the age of 52.

"Faust was a dear friend for decades. He supported me and helped me to become a better person through his compassion and zest for life," the donor said. "His loss last year left a void in all of our lives. I was inspired by his endless generosity to endow this scholarship in his memory. I am honored to be able to set up this scholarship to ensure his legacy for education lives on."

CSUB has also received over $5,000 in donations to provide scholarships to students for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years. Two scholarships of $1,500 each are available this year and two scholarships of $1,000 each will be available next year.

Applications for this year's scholarships are now open on Scholarship Universe.

"We're just so happy and so proud the scholarship is in his honor," said Gorham's wife, Karina Rios. "Just to know that his legacy is going to continue and that he's going to be able to help students for many years makes me so proud. That just keeps him alive. I feel so blessed and so thankful."

Gorham was a Central Valley native who grew up in Porterville. He developed a passion for technology at a young age, which would guide his future career.

Gorham was a first-generation college student who earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Davis and his master's in information systems from CSU Fullerton. He worked in the California university system for his whole career, having previously worked at UC Davis and UC Merced before coming to CSUB.

He was well-known at CSUB for his kind leadership and his deep concern for students' well-being.

"My husband was a true champion of CSUB," Rios said. "He loved his job. He truly cared about all the students, about making an impact on every person he came in contact with. He had that gift to make every person feel they had all the possibilities as long as they wanted to make it happen. Everyone I've talked to tell me that he always made them feel important and valued."

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