Flash Gibsons Retirement Reception

Posted by cpilkinton Published: May 23, 2014

After 43 years of service to the Department of Biology and Eastern Washington University, Flash Gibson, PhD, will be retiring at the end of spring quarter 2014.

Gibson earned his undergraduate degree from Eastern in 1966, followed by his masters and doctorate degrees in zoology from Oregon State University in 1969 and 1971.

Gibson began teaching at EWU in 1971, and was promoted to full professor in 1985. He has taught a diversity of courses including invertebrate and vertebrate zoology, ecology, entomology, anatomy and physiology, environmental science and general biology.

He has advised hundreds of biology students and has been the major professor for several graduate students.

Gibson has worn several administrative hats during his years at Eastern. He served as chair of the Department of Biology from 1989 to 1993 and again from 2001 through 2009. He provided leadership to the university as vice provost for Undergraduate Affairs from 1993 to 2000.

Gibsons formative research at Oregon State University focused on the behavior of one of the regions most elegant shorebirds, the American Avocet. Given that these birds feed on aquatic invertebrates, it is not surprising that Gibsons research interests later expanded to include the ecology of freshwater invertebrates of the region.

He has contributed his expertise on the natural history of our region through service to the Inland Northwest Land Trust and the Spokane County Conservation District. Gibsons contributions to the Department of Biology, Eastern Washington University and the Spokane region have been invaluable.

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Flash Gibsons Retirement Reception