July 7, 2016
MARSHALL, Texas (7/7/16) – East Texas Baptist University celebrated the success of Marshall ISD Superintendent Jerry Gibson, an ETBU alumnus, and his wife Tammy, with a welcome reception at the Anderson-Cargill Building of ETBU’s Marshall Grand.
“Hosting this reception speaks to the partnership we have with MISD,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. “We have made great strides in the last year enhancing our partnership with the school district. As fellow educators, we both have the responsibility and a compelling mandate to work together to improve the educational opportunities for all of Marshall.”
The reception held on July 7 from 2-4pm honored Dr. Gibson who was officially named Marshall ISD’s 23rd superintendent in mid-June.
“I’m usually not great at these type of events because I feel like it’s not about me, it is about 5500 students,” Dr. Gibson said in his remarks at the reception. “I am just somebody who gets up every morning and tries to work hard. My outlook has always been if you can’t do anything else, outwork everybody. It is a challenge when you get to rebuild something, and I can promise you that I am here for you to serve the city and the schools.”
According to MISD Board Trustee Mrs. Charles Wilson, he has already focused the ISD’s overall vision in the last two months with his ability to think outside the box and foster relationships with diverse groups within the community.
“He is already casting a vision to achieve remarkable things over time. His entire attitude brings a fresh approach to leadership within the district,” Marshall Education Foundation President Keith Hill said. “Hiring Dr. Gibson is just another step we are taking toward excellence in our district. The school systems of Marshall, the high school, universities, colleges and trade school, are a critical link to improving the economic system in the community. Dr. Gibson knows this connection and plans to work toward making things better.”
ETBU shares this same vision for Marshall. Dr. Blackburn stated that Marshall’s educational entities should continue “to forge relationships and enhance partnerships in education, business and industry to create a better Marshall.”
Tammy Gibson will join ETBU on Monday as a staff assistant at ETBU’s Great Commission Center.
”We are delighted that he and Tammy have come to Marshall,” President Blackburn said. “They are going to be actively engaged residents of the city—contributing community members. I see them as people who share our love for Marshall. Jerry and I both have big hearts for Marshall and want to see the city prosper. Education is key to economic prosperity”
Prior to his current position, Dr. Gibson served as Superintendent at Coldspring-Oakhurst, Executive Director of Secondary Education at Waco ISD, a principal at Whitney and Deweyville High Schools, and also as an assistant principal, a coach, an athletic director and a teacher throughout his career.
“We are excited about his experience and vision because he has dealt with similar issues that face Marshall ISD in other districts,” Marshall ISD board trustee Chase Palmer said. “I believe that he will help close the achievement gap and enrich our students’ lives.”
Dr. Gibson earned his Bachelor of Science from ETBU in 1993, his Master of Education at Lamar University in 2002, and his Doctorate of Education in Professional Leadership from University of Houston in 2015.
“Marshall Independent School District is a great challenge,” Dr. Gibson said. “But, I see so many great things that are happening in the school district. The new schools that are going up are exciting and a game changer for our school district. I also see and have met a lot of young professionals with young children. They’re coming back here and saying give us the best education that we can get for our children. I will accept that challenge. Things don’t happen overnight. You will get everything I have, every single day. Just know that this is a process. It doesn’t just happen in a day, a week or a month. Anything that is great has to have a strong foundation, and we are reworking our foundation.”