ALUM INVESTS AS A
THANK YOU

William and Debra Gohlke
GCC Alumnus (William)

William Gohlke earned his Associate in Arts degree at Glendale Community College (GCC) in the 1960s. While at GCC, inspired by his accounting teacher, Mr. Spivey, he ran for and was elected student body treasurer.

The 60’s were an interesting and turbulent time to be in college with the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, and the music revolution. One of Mr. Gohlke’s goals as treasurer was to budget funds for current event speakers and a popular rock band to stimulate student body cards sales, which the school depended on for sports and the arts. It was a special time to be part of student government. “Dean Smith was a father figure to all of us serving in student government.”

For his work with student government he received an award from the college as one of “Ten Outstanding Students” graduating in 1966. “That award and my A.A. degree helped me a great deal when I was looking for my first job after graduating from California State University, Northridge,” he said.

Mr. Gohlke felt that he owed a great deal to GCC and his professors for helping him mature and find himself before transferring to a four-year college. “My time at GCC was challenging and Dr. Horton, the philosophy professor, was one of the best instructors I ever had,” said Mr. Gohlke.

“Some of us need some time to find ourselves after leaving high school and GCC was that place for me.”

Mr. Gohlke decided to give back to GCC and started donating to Glendale College Foundation in the 70s to support students who were like him.

“I hope my gift to GCF will allow students who have been negatively affected by this pandemic to continue their education. Additionally, I hope that the Ole W. Gohlke Endowment for Speakers in the mathematics and science disciplines will encourage students to consider these areas as majors when transferring to a four-year university,” he said. “When you see the look of gratitude from the people who benefit from your donation it hits you hard in the heart.”

“Gift giving is a personal choice and certainly depends on where you are financially and socially in your life.

A lot of young people go directly from high school to a four-year college because they have the funds and guidance on how to get there. Others, not so much and they need help to get themselves together to achieve their goals. GCC provides that help and funding those students is important and rewarding.”

“When you see the look of gratitude from the people who benefit from your donation it hits you hard in the heart.”

By making this generous endowed gift to the Glendale College Foundation, Mr. Gohlke not only establishes a legacy of his passion for education, but he plants the seeds for future philanthropists by inspiring generations of students – alumni donors. Establishing a legacy through a will or trust is a great way to ensure that future students have the opportunity to give back.