“God hates a chicken”

Professor’s Advice Still Resonates as Donor Gives Back to UNL, UNK

Terry and Deb Gibbs are Burnett Society members who have established a planned gift to provide scholarship support for nontraditional students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and to support a discretionary fund for the electrical engineering department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Terry, a UNL graduate, led the aviation department at UNK and served at the university for 29 years. Deb attended nursing school at Nebraska Methodist College and served as a neonatal ICU nurse at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital and Phoenix Children’s.

What was the first job you ever had?

Deb and I, Terry, both grew up on our respective parents’ ranch/farm. We worked there from an early age; doing chores, taking care of the cattle and crops, and putting up hay were just what we did, and we never really thought about it. I believe this experience was one of the key elements that led to the professional success we have enjoyed. That fundamental work ethic permeated throughout our life and is a major part of who we are.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

For me, it was a small comment that wasn’t intended to be anything other than a humorous statement by Allen Edison, Ph.D., one of the electrical engineering professors and who was also my academic adviser. While staring at the monitor in the computer center, I was trying to find an error in a program I had written. As I was deciding if I should resubmit it yet again, Dr. Edison walked behind me and looked at the screen. He patted my shoulder and said “God hates a chicken” as he walked out. That was it, no pleasantries or other words of wisdom. Such a simple statement, but it resonated with me: Be bold, go do it! To this day, “God hates a chicken” is one of my go-to pieces of advice.

What is your favorite question to be asked?

Having taught at UNK for 29 years, anytime someone asked if I could help them understand a concept or some process, it was a great day. Individuals digging deeper than absolutely necessary was a thrill.

Who has influenced your life most positively?

The list for me is long, but at the top must be my wife, Deb. In high school, I was unfocused and had little academic interest. She provided the spark, and for that I am forever grateful. There are many others, including Dr. Edison mentioned above, but my wife easily takes the top spot.

Why do you plan to leave a gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation in your estate?

Our lives were enriched, and we grew tremendously as a result of our respective college experiences. Deb’s nursing training at Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha and my engineering work at UNL set us on paths that we could not have imagined. She worked for over 40 years as a neonatal ICU nurse while I worked in the defense and aviation industries before ultimately landing at UNK to lead their aviation degree program. These were transformational experiences, and we hope our support for our respective schools will help other students to achieve what they have never dared to dream.

Who has influenced your life for good?

In my case, I owe Dr. Edison a huge debt of gratitude, as he saw something in a thoroughly average student and decided to take me under his wing. We worked together on two research projects, and he ultimately asked me to help teach the lab component of the electromagnetic fields and waves course. “Teaching” this course, which had a high percentage of Iranian and Chinese students, helped set the stage for working with people from all over the world for the majority of my career. I hate to use the word again; however, these experiences were truly transformational. I had never even dreamed of conducting research and teaching as a child; it just wasn’t anywhere on my radar. His gentle guidance made all the difference.