Software leader, honorary doctorate awardee: 'Dare to pursue'
Marilyn Bohl believes in the power of teamwork.
It carried her through her years as a high school athlete in Iowa and as a leader on the ground floor of computer software development.
It motivates her today as she supports students at Cal State Long Beach — on and off the field.
“You need a team for anything, and that's true in software development, just like it's true in baseball.”
Bohl was a pioneer in computing, succeeding in a male-dominated industry when few women had entered the field. Her first job in computing was as a software developer at Collins Radio in 1964. She was recruited to join IBM in the Bay Area (later known as Silicon Valley) in 1969.
From early database design at IBM to senior executive leadership at Ingres and Dynasty, she advanced to positions of leadership in development and impacted the national and international marketplace, helping business leaders to understand the potential of the technology.
Her career also includes 35 years of writing college textbooks and supporting materials on various aspects of computing that were adopted by universities, colleges and technical schools worldwide. Some texts were translated into German, Portuguese and Chinese.
Beyond her influence in technology and computing, she is one of the university’s most impactful advocates. But the news that she is receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Hung Family College of Engineering at Commencement next week still came as a humbling surprise, she said.
“I think it is a great honor,” she said, recalling the phone call she received from then-President Andrew Jones. “I didn't know that many people knew about my life. I'm pleased to think that some of my history is known, recognized and appreciated.”
Education is the key
As someone who grew up in a family of humble means, Bohl calls herself living proof of the doors that education can open.
“I have two creeds: One is that education opens the door to opportunity and teamwork makes the dream work. And if I'm asked to talk somewhere, I find an opportunity to get those two points in.”
Bohl and her twin sister, longtime Beach supporter Arline Walter, were high school co-valedictorians. They both went on to Luther College, where they received teaching certificates in elementary education and taught at elementary schools for three years.
Arline continued to the University of Iowa in Iowa City, while Marilyn went to the University of Northern Iowa, where she received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
Marilyn began working as a software developer at Collins Radio in 1964, and in 1968, joined IBM where she was often the only woman on a team or in a room.
Growing up in Marble Rock, Iowa (population 600), Bohl could not have imagined a future career that would place her in meeting rooms with tech icons like Larry Ellison and Steve Ballmer and eventually pave the way for today’s data-driven applications and, ultimately, cloud computing.
Her transformative gifts to what became Bohl Diamond at Blair Field, the home of Long Beach State baseball, were instrumental in upgrades to elevate the ballpark to a premier Division I facility. She is a Carillon Society member, a former Long Beach State Foundation board member and was inducted in the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 2025.
Supporting the next generation is just what you do, she said.
“I'm just giving back and giving other people the opportunity,” she said.
Looking back on her career, and lifetime of faith and service, she said she wishes she could encourage others to support The Beach. No matter the amount, it all makes a difference.
And to Beach students who are pursuing their education: “You must be curious. You must keep your eyes open and if you see something that's interesting, dare to pursue it. Dare to pursue it.”
The Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) is one of the honorary degrees conferred by the California State University system and awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to education, public service or the arts. At CSULB, such degrees are conferred at Commencement by the college granting the honor.
