Garth McGibbon

By Joanna Tedder

Garth McGibbon, a native of Toronto, Canada, has been teaching chemistry atLiberty since 1977.He says he enjoys the challenge ofexplaining thedifficultconcepts of chemistryintermshis studentswill understand.

In class,"We make everything from flavorings right through to explosives,"he explained. However,he said thatcautionmustbeusedand anunderstandingofchemicalreactionsisessentialbeforemixingchemicals. "Some chemicalsareverytemperamental—justlikepeople," he said.

McGibbon's interestin chemistry began atabout age 12when hewanted to pickup longdistance televisionsignalsby suspending an antenna from ahydrogen balloonabove his house.

While atschool in Colorado,he met his wife, Rosemary,who alsoloveschemistryandisaformer professoratLiberty. They havebeen marriedfor 25yearsand have two sons

Aside from teaching chemistry, McGibbon enjoys in restoring old cars,gardening and keeping bees He alsofindspleasurein buildingthings, including his home inLynchburg.