In April, S. Elizabeth Gibson ’76, Burton Craige Professor of Law, received one of the highest honors that can be given to a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—the Thomas Jefferson Award.
Established in 1961 by the Robert Earll McConnell Foundation, the award is presented annually to “that member of the academic community who through personal influence and performance of duty in teaching, writing, and scholarship has best exemplified the ideals and objectives of Thomas Jefferson.”
Capping off a 33-year career at Carolina Law, Gibson, who retires this year, joins an illustrious list of law school faculty to be honored for their teaching including Maurice Van Hecke (1962), Henry Brandis (1964), William B. Aycock '48 (1967), J. Dickson Phillips '48 (1977), Daniel H. Pollitt (1982), Charles Daye (2004) and Gene Nichol (2013).
“As a former student of Elizabeth’s and as the dean of the law school, I can honestly say that her service to her students, Carolina Law and the University is unmatched,” says Dean Martin H. Brinkley ‘92. “I’m delighted Elizabeth was recognized for her contributions. There is no other educator more deserving of this award.”
In addition to receiving the Thomas Jefferson Award, Gibson also received the Frederick B. McCall Award for Teaching Excellence at the UNC School of Law commencement ceremony on May 7.
The award is named for Frederick B. McCall, who served on the Carolina Law faculty for more than 40 years. He was an outstanding scholar of property and estates law, a tireless contributor to the North Carolina General Statutes Commission, and a celebrated teacher. Upon his retirement in 1967, students established the McCall Award to be selected annually by members of the third-year class.
Gibson also was recognized at commencement with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. This is one of the most prestigious awards conferred by the governor of North Carolina. It is awarded to persons for exemplary service to the state of North Carolina and their communities that is above and beyond the call of duty which has made a significant impact and strengthened North Carolina.
-May 13, 2016