Dr. Dale Gibson, president of Seward County Community Junior College from 1969 to 1974, died Saturday, Aug. 9, following a brief illness. He was 81. During Gibson’s years at SCCJC, he oversaw the building of the first campus. In a yearbook letter to the first graduating class, Gibson had this to say, “Those of you that were willing to gamble on the future of a newly created institution with no traditions nor previous prestige, have made a landmark with the successful completion this first year of operation and a milestone in the building of a new institution that is destined to play a special role in the development of a greater Southwest Kansas.” Other yearbook comments say that “to Dr. Gibson a student is the most important person to enter his office.” Gibson was part of the early days of the college, starting as dean of students under President Dr. James Miller, then following him as president from 1969 to 1974. According to Paul Boles, a then member of the board of trustees, “Dale was excellent as president.” Boles said Dr. Gibson was well liked and faculty enjoyed working with him. From SCCJC Gibson moved on to Oklahoma City Community College from 1974 to 1982, then on to East Central College in Union, Mo., from 1990 to his retirement in 1999. Gibson was a community college graduate and later earned a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Tulsa. He started his education career as a teacher and coach at Leavenworth High School. Gibson also held journalism and English teaching positions as well as director of guidance counseling in schools in Oklahoma and Kansas. He also worked in Amman, Jordan, where he helped reorganize the community college system as a UN education consultant. He is survived by his wife, Sally Gibson of Washington, Mo.; three sons, Scott Gibson and wife Linda of Mustang, Okla.; Mark Gibson and wife Kelly of McKinney, Texas, and Lynn Gibson of Irving, Texas; two daughters, Paige Rivard and husband Matt of Omaha, Neb., and Sondra May and husband Mitch of Aurora, Colo., and 12 grandchildren. A memorial was Saturday, Aug. 16, at Peace Lutheran Church in Washington, Mo.