Milford chronicle., 1961-03-17
University Senior
AZ, Woodrow Scholar
CONTINUED from page one)

continued from page one)
A full generation removed from
the current crop of undergradu-
ates, Gibbs has a background so
diverse and interesting that he
has been invited TO appear to tell
1 his story on the Dave Garroway
television show on Monday NOR
ming.
The fellowship will cover the
first year of graduate study. An
other University of Delaware SEN
ior. Gail Bremen. of Rutherford.
\. j., received honorable mention
in the foundations selections.
Gibb has been wanting to COM
plete his formal education for
nearly 20 years. has been hamper
ed by variety of environmental
and economic reasons, but now is
intent on continuous study through
, his doctorate degree in order to
belatedly embark on a college
teaching career.
He blames his ancestry of
Scotch tillers and artisans who
saw no need for learning as the
first roadblock in the path of his
education. Following high school
in Philadelphia, he turned to the
railroad industry for employment.
Every generation of mothers
family had been connected with
the industry since the 1S30's, and
the virus had infected me-"
Being too young for employment,
he spent the next year at the
Peirce School of Business in Phil
adelphia. since secretarial train
ing at that time offered easy en-
try into transportation. He was
employed in the publicity depart
ment of Pennsylvania Railroad
from 1886 to 1888 when the "Roos-
evelt recession" brought about his
furlough.
Regarding this only a temporary
state he took a job in the ac-
counting department of Canada
Dry Ginger Ale, a firm that en-
couraged him to attend extension
classes of the Wharton School of
the University of Pennsylvania.
cover l was not inclined toward
civer | was not inclined toward
anything as mundane as account
ing, but / stuck doggedly to il.
Gibbs recalls. The chief value
of the course was that the credits
were later accepted by the Uni
versity of Delaware"
|. The war changed everything for
Gibb, who went back to work for
the railroad in 1912 as passenger
and freight agent at Newark. Aid
ed by a number of influences, in
cludiTg the college community at
mosphere. his interest in rail-
roads as a vocation was parallel
ed by an avocational learning.
He was one of the founders of
the National Railway Historical
Society and was its national trea-
surer from 1916 to 1868. As
contributor to its publications. it
was an easy transition to a per-
manent interest in the field of his
tory.
Last and most important. | i
married a school teacher in 1913. /
who Immediately embarked on a
crusade TO convert my interests
to the practicalities of the teach
ing profession. We finally decided /
that when our house and car were /
entirely paid for. would stop gain |
full employment and return TO
school. This day was finally /
reached in September. 1859. To |
further ease the economic prob
lens. l completed Is credit hours
in evening extension work"
There is no doubt in his mind
now of his ultimate goal. He is
concentrating his studies in Uni
ted States history. with the de-
sire to specialize further in trans
portation history. He is complet- |
ing a thesis for degree with dis
tinction on "The Delaware Rail-
road"
He is still active in the National
Railway Historical Society as a |
member of its boards of directors, |
and he holds memberships in the |
Historical Society of Delaware, the |
Marine Historical Association, |
General Electric Railfans Associ- /
alton and the Civil War Round I
Table of Wilmington. He is New !
ark chairman of the Civil War /
Centennial Observance Commit |
tee.