2010-2011 Donor Honor Roll

Dr. Gordon Morris Bakken

He’s been making history – and generous gifts – for decades.

A teacher, author and mentor, Dr. Gordon Morris Bakken has been a history professor at Cal State Fullerton since 1969. Over the years, he has taught thousands of students and written 23 books, some with intriguing titles, such as, “Women Who Kill Men: California Courts, Gender and the Press,” published in 2009. His “Mining Law of 1872” (2008) sold out in May 2011 and will be in paperback in January 2012.

Gordon earned his B.S., M.S., Ph.D. and J.D. degrees in history from the University of Wisconsin. An outstanding scholar and writer, Gordon received more than $50,000 in grants to underwrite his research projects, and was honored with the Western History Association’s Award of Merit and honorary life membership in 2009.

Giving to Cal State Fullerton since the early ’80s, Gordon has supported many university scholarships and programs. But his heart, not surprisingly, is in history. Specifically, the History Alumni Association, which supports scholarships. “Many of our students need financial help to continue their education,” said Gordon. “They simply can’t continue without it.”

Gordon is also a donor and advocate of the Center for Oral and Public History, which has recorded and transcribed thousands of historical recorded interviews and related transcripts, photographs and other materials from Orange County citizens. “State funding has been declining for years,” Gordon said. “We must have the support of our alumni and friends for the oral history program – and for the entire university for that matter – to grow and to achieve national recognition.”

For information about giving to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, please contact Theresa Davis at 657-278-7642 or thdavis@fullerton.edu.