The ability of the campus to generate additional funds through alumni donations, corporate underwriting, and external grants will be crucial to maintaining the quality of the classroom experience, he said. A Fellow of the National Heart Institute, Thibodeau holds a doctorate in animal science physiology from SDSU, as well as a master's degrees in zoology and pharmacology. His bachelor's degree is in biology and chemistry from Creighton University. One of Thibodeau's most enduring extracurricular accomplishments as chancellor is his effort as a highly successful textbook author on human anatomy and physiology. While many of Thibodeau's colleagues write texts, his choice of subject matter is unusual.
Many administrators write about management, leadership or financial techniques.
Few are published in their area of academic expertise. It is considered the national standard in introductory courses for undergraduate students of human anatomy and physiology. He is married to Emogene McCarville Thibodeau and together they have a son, Douglas, and a daughter, Beth.