Dr. Sid Gautam: A Professor, Leader, and Transformative Difference-Maker

If you take a moment to reflect on the Fayetteville community since the 1960s, it is difficult to find someone with more impact than the late Dr. Sudhaker “Sid” Gautam.

A native of India, Gautam made his way to Fayetteville to begin a career as an economics professor at then Methodist College in 1968. Five years later, Gautam founded the school’s Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) to assist entrepreneurs in converting their dreams into realities. Under his leadership, the CFE hosted high-profile symposiums and intimate seminars for professionals and students alike – focusing on topics that impact local businesses such as the stock market, forecasting, energy conservation, and major corporations.

In addition to his work at Methodist University, Gautam served on the board of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, founded the organization now known as the Cape Fear River Assembly, and he organized the annual event that has turned into the International Folk Festival in Fayetteville.

When Gautam retired from Methodist University in 2012, he reflected fondly on his time at MU while keeping an eye on the future:

“I still remember 44 years ago when I came to this town with only one suitcase, and Methodist College looked like a corn field. We have really come a long way. It’s such a lovely, wonderful institution. I can’t thank MU enough to give me the opportunity to really plan, promote, and execute everything. I’ll always remember the students, too. How many people are lucky in this world to have that opportunity? The best days of Methodist University are still ahead.”

Gautam’s impact continues throughout Methodist University to this day as more than 70 students have graduated with either a major or  minor in Entrepreneurship from MU in the last decade. Through his loyalty and service to MU, he was able to leave an undeniable legacy.

For Gautam’s daughter, Pat Sharma, his unique talent of connecting with each and every person was the ultimate difference maker for MU and the greater Fayetteville community.

“It’s like what Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ That’s what it was like for him,” she said. “He just loved being around people and he had this quality that allowed him to talk to teenagers and 80-year-olds at the same time. When I hear from his past students, they would always say that he made them feel good about themselves.”

Gautam’s life is an example of how much someone can accomplish if they are willing to share their talents.

“He was a big believer of people needing to be involved in their community, no matter what you can contribute, big or small,” Sharma said. “He certainly exhibited that in his life through everything he was involved in, and it was important to him.”