A teacher for 42 years at West Virginia University, Associate Professor of Communication Studies John Shibley has won the Gabriel Brothers Award.

Shibley conducts several communications courses, such as Appreciation of Motion Pictures, The Effects of Media and Presentational Speaking.

He said that receiving this award was both an honor and a surprise.

“It’s not something that you think about, but it’s gratifying to learn that what you are doing is being acknowledged,” he said.

Shibley said his favorite part of teaching is reaching students and making them grasp the issues that he teaches.
“I want them to be aware of world issues and maybe see things differently than they did when they entered my class,” he added.

He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and his doctorate from The Ohio State University.

Shibley will be presented with this award at the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Award Ceremony and Luncheon in the Mountainlair Ballrooms on Saturday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m.

The Gabriel Brothers Inc. Faculty Award Program was created in 2003 by James and Arthur Gabriel, founding partners of Gabriel Brothers Inc., a Morgantown-based discount clothing business. The Gabriels, both of whom earned WVU degrees, created the prize to encourage, support and reward faculty endeavors, especially teaching, that focus on America and American society and culture.

-WVU-

04/13/11

CONTACT: Rebecca Herod, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
304-293-7405, ext. 5251, Rebecca.Herod@mail.wvu.edu