Brian Gibson, senior associate dean of undergraduates, was named this year’s winner of the Elizabeth Gillis Award for Exemplary Service at Rice University President Reginald DesRoches’ annual event celebrating staff accomplishments April 23 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
The most prestigious prize given to university staff each year, the award is named after the wife of former Rice President Malcolm Gillis. It is presented to staff who demonstrate exemplary commitment and service to the university, just as Elizabeth Gillis did during her years of service. Fittingly, Gillis’ granddaughter Jessica Keithan ’09 presented the honor to Gibson.
Gibson came to Rice in 1996, after completing his doctoral degree at the University of Texas at Austin. He taught courses in exercise physiology and preventative medicine for the department of kinesiology and is a three-time winner of the George R. Brown Awards for teaching. He then transitioned from faculty to staff, where he worked his way up into his current role.
He received the Student Associate Mentor Award in 2009 and the Centennial Star Award in 2012, and he was recognized by the Rice Board of Trustees for dedication and contributions to the university in 2018. He and his wife, Alana Lemay-Gibson, served as resident associates of Sid Richardson College (1996-2004) and Martel College (2004-11) as well as head resident fellows of McMurtry College (2014-21).
During those 30 years, Gibson said his passion for Rice remains the same as the first time he experienced the campus life.
“I’m pretty blessed to have the opportunity to be at Rice,” Gibson said. “I knew it when I got here. I said to my wife immediately that this is a place that’s really special, and I’m going to try and take advantage of every moment. I still feel that way.”
In his 17 nomination letters, Gibson was commended for his indefatigable leadership and care.
“Brian was always available — a steady presence who made my job easier,” one nomination letter detailed. “I remember one Monday morning of O-Week, standing at the front of the college commons delivering my academic address to new students and seeing Brian walk into the back of the room. He stayed for a few minutes, nodding and smiling as I talked, and then left. I found out later that he had been touring all the colleges that morning, checking on the magisters and how they were doing with their academic talks. Now, he didn’t need to do this. He had already met with us as a group and given each of us a slide deck that he had prepared as a baseline to get us started. He stopped by because he’s a caring, thoughtful and responsible professional who goes above and beyond to help others succeed in their work.
“In the years that followed, I came to realize that what I saw that morning was typical Brian. Many do what is required in their jobs, but a select few, like Brian, are true ‘do-ers’ — people who are constantly contributing at a high level, always willing to step in and help get things done.”
Gibson shared his reaction after learning he won this year’s Gillis Award.
“I was completely surprised,” Gibson said. “That’s one of the few times in my entire career of 30 years at Rice where I’ve been completely blown away. I was really humbled by it.”
He also imparted words of wisdom for other employees looking to make a difference in their roles.
“Rice is an amazing place, and there are amazing people from all walks around the university,” he said. “Get out and about. Take advantage of opportunities. Volunteer for things. If someone asks you to serve on a committee with them and if you have the time and you can make it work, do it. The more people you meet, the more you’ll learn from them, and the more enjoyable your job will be. You won’t get stale. This place is just amazing.
“Rice is just the right size to be: big enough to explore and small enough to get to know people well. I always have felt like that’s such a unique trait of a university like this.”