[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 86 (Thursday, May 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF MR. FRANK GORNICK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2017

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Mr. Frank Gornick for 
twenty three years of dedicated service as Chancellor of the West Hills 
Community College District.
  A Chicago native, Mr. Gornick moved to Coalinga, California to play 
football for West Hills Community College. He earned an Associates 
Degree at West Hills College, Coalinga in 1966 and went on to study at 
California State University, Sacramento, where he met his wife, Gloria 
and the couple married on June I, 1968. Shortly after, he received his 
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971 and later pursued higher education at 
SI. Louis University, graduating with a Doctorate of Philosophy in 
1979.
  In 1971, Frank began his career in education at Howard County 
Community College in Columbia, Maryland, where he taught Psychology and 
Human Development courses. From 1972 to 1975, Frank held the position 
of Director of Financial Aid and Placement at Richland College in 
Dallas, Texas. In 1975, he began his nine year career at Belleville 
Area College in Illinois, where he served as Provost of the Granite 
City Center. Frank left his position as Provost in 1984 and returned to 
California, where he dedicated nine years to Bakersfield College as 
Dean of Student Services.
  Mr. Frank Gornick was welcomed back to West Hills Community College 
District in 1994 as Superintendent and President. During this time, Mr. 
Gornick provided oversight to the process for West Hills College 
Lemoore, which at the time was one of California's newest community 
colleges. Frank is responsible for a successful federal bond which 
generated $38 million in local property taxes and state dollars for the 
renovation and construction of the Coalinga and Lemoore campuses. In 
2001, he was promoted to Chancellor and has held the position for the 
past sixteen years.
  During his tenure at West Hills College District, Mr. Gornick led 
many efforts resulting in renovation and construction of the campus. In 
2004, Frank was recognized for his outstanding efforts and awarded the 
California Community Colleges Chancellor's Diversity Award for 
Education.
  As Chancellor, Mr. Gornick has developed a transition for multi-
college system, centralizing services to the colleges and eliminating 
duplication, and has made a significant investment in developing a 
philanthropic vision for the West Hills Community College Foundation.
  Outside of work, Frank enjoys spending time with his wife, Gloria, 
his three children, Frank, Victoria, and Christina, and his 
granddaughter, Isabella. In his retirement, Frank is looking forward to 
many road trips with his family.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join us in commending Mr. Frank Gornick on the eve 
of his retirement for his service to the people of the Central Valley 
and wishing him well as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.

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