2008 SCSPE Engineer of the Year

2007 Engineer of the Year, Larry Copeland and 2008 Engineer of the Year Joe Gibbons

SCSPE bestows its greatest honor to one Engineer each year.  This Engineer has to have been active in the society, the community, and the engineering profession.  Dr. Joe Gibbons has gone above and beyond the call of duty in every one of these categories; doing everything he can to excel his profession and his community.

Dr. Gibbons has come along way from his large share cropper family.  He showed that he would take no less than perfect at an early age graduating as valedictorian of Turberville High School.  He then went to the University of South Carolina were he earned his Bachelors of Chemical Engineering.  After getting his Bachelors he continued his education at the University of Pittsburg where he worked hard to get both a Masters and a PhD. in chemical Engineering.

Dr. Gibbons began his working career as an engineer for Westinghouse, but after a few years in the industry he came home to South Carolina and joined the faculty at the University of South Carolina.  He made such a quick impact at USC that he was promoted to Professor before the age of 40.  Dr. Gibbons served the University for 44 years before he retired in 2006.

If teaching the next generation was not enough, Dr. Gibbons has also served his community.  He has been PTA president, served on the community park council, and represented the United Way.   He has served his church as department superintendent for the College and Career classes, choir member, Sunday School Superintendent and as a deacon.

Dr. Gibbons is married, Neva Floyd, and has two daughters as well as 6 Grandchildren.

Dr. Gibbons has devoted his entire life to the engineering, education, and the profession that is why he is the 2008 SCSPE Engineer of the Year.