Edmondson-Gibbs Scholarship

The Edmondson-Gibbs Scholarship has been established by David (‘69) and Sandra (’69) Gibbs to provide scholarship assistance to Western Colorado University students studying in the Nursing Education Program.

The scholarship is named after David Gibbs’ uncle, William D. Edmondson, a Distinguished Emeritus Professor of History at Western State college of Colorado. Dr. Edmondson was a faculty member at Western State College from 1960 to 1985. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was able to begin his academic career by utilizing the GI Bill. He received his B.A. at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL; received his M.A> at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee; and received his PhD at the Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, CA. his teaching career included stops at the Northwestern military Academy, the University of Redlands, and Whittier College.

Dr. Edmondson was a brilliant teacher and lecturer. He inspired the careers of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students and he instilled the love of learning in all who knew him. Dr. Edmondson retired in Montrose, CO and San Diego, CA and passed away in San Diego in 2008.

Captain David and Sandra Gibbs met at Western Colorado; were married in December ‘69 and David began a 28-year career in the U.S. Navy. Sandra began her teaching career in Alameda, CA teaching high school on Guam. David’s math major led to the Navy selecting him for graduate school at Duke University where he received his MBA. After the Navy, David was a program manager for Lockheed Martin in Moorestown,, NJ and San Diego, CA. This scholarship was inspired by the efforts of their daughter, Kelly, who found her nursing calling after the passing of her grandfather, CDR John D. Gibbs, USN, in 2008.

The nursing profession is a major, critical element of any health care system and the Gibbs’s hope this scholarship will help future students who are dreaming of becoming a nurse to achieve this noble calling.

Eligibility:
Applicants for this scholarship:
- Must be enrolled full-time at Western Colorado University
- Must be enrolled in the Western Nursing Education Program (includes CNA and BSN)