Identifier
UA 53.46
Dates
1978-2012
Extent
2.42 linear feet [2 record boxes, 1 document case]
Abstract
Dr. William Ray (Bill) Gibbons a microbiologist and biotechnologist whose career has focused on developing renewable fuels and chemicals from biomass to replace petroleum-based products. A graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU) with a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in microbiology and related fields, Gibbons joined SDSU’s faculty in 1987. This collection serves as a resource for understanding the history and development of renewable energy technologies in the United States, particularly in the agricultural sector. It reflects Dr. Gibbons’s contributions to the study of biomass fuels, his advocacy for ethanol as a sustainable energy source, and the broader intersection of scientific research, economic analysis, and policy development in renewable fuel innovation.
Historical Note
William Ray (Bill) Gibbons was born on January 5, 1958, in Winner, South Dakota, and grew up in Brookings, South Dakota. He graduated from Brookings High School in 1976 and attended South Dakota State University (SDSU) from 1980 to 1987. During his time at SDSU, he earned a B.S. in Microbiology and Chemistry in 1980, an M.S. in Microbiology in 1982, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Agronomy in 1987.
In 1987, Gibbons began his academic career as an Assistant Professor in the Biology and Microbiology Department at SDSU. He advanced to Associate Professor in 1991 and to Professor in 1997. His leader-ship roles at SDSU included serving as Associate Director of the Center for Bio-processing Research and Development, Director of the South Dakota Oilseed Initiative, and Interim Director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. His research focused on applied microbiology and biotechnology, with an emphasis on using microbial processes to develop value-added products from biomass and agricultural materials. A central theme of his work was the development of sustainable fuels and chemicals to replace petroleum-based products.
Gibbons’ career has been marked by collaboration with regional universities, federal laboratories, and institutions such as the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, North Dakota State University, the University of Minnesota, and the USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research. His dedication to integrating research with teaching ensured that his students benefited directly from his innovative and impactful projects.
Throughout his career, Gibbons received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, education, and research. He was recognized as the SDSU Microbiology Club Teacher of the Year in 1990 and became a Golden Key Honorary Member in 2003. In 2006, he was part of the team awarded the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Dean’s Team Award for developing a Center for Excellence in Bio-processing. He was named the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Distinguished Researcher of the Year in 2007 and was honored with the Gamma Sigma Delta Researcher of the Year award that same year. Additionally, he received the Pat and Jo Cannon Intellectual Property Commercialization Award in both 2011 and 2012 and was awarded the F.O. Butler Award for Excellence in Research in 2014.
Dr. Gibbons’ career stands as a testament to advancing renewable energy, sustainability, and agricultural innovation. His integration of teaching, research, and collaboration has left a lasting impact on the field of applied microbiology and biotechnology.
Content Notes
This collection centers on Dr. Gibbons’ research into developing fuels and chemicals from biomass as sustainable replacements for petroleum-based products. It includes extensive materials documenting the feasibility, economics, and technology of ethanol production using agricultural feedstocks such as fodder beets, corn, and sweet sorghum. The bulk of the collection comprises article reprints, manuscripts, correspondence, and other materials related to scholarly articles submitted by Dr. Gibbons to academic journals.
The collection also contains draft manuscripts of Dr. Gibbons’ M.S. thesis and Ph.D. dissertation, which delve into the technological and economic aspects of ethanol production and its byproducts. Photographs and slides depict ethanol and fermentation plants, research equipment, and experimental setups, providing visual documentation of research findings and production processes. Aca-demic presentations, posters, and conference materials highlight the dissemination of research at scientific gatherings.
Additionally, the collection includes clippings from newspapers and magazines about ethanol and its production, spanning several decades. These articles reflect public perception and media coverage of renewable energy topics. Draft testimonies, handwritten notes, flowcharts, and tables offer insights into Dr. Gibbons’ advocacy efforts, including support for ethanol tax incentives and policies promoting renewable energy.
Notable topics include small- and farm-scale ethanol production, solid-phase and diffusion fermenta-tion techniques, the use of agricultural waste for mushroom cultivation, and the energy and economic feasibility of renewable fuel development. Mushroom cultivation research in the collection explores innovative applications of agricultural byproducts, while international travel documentation provides a global perspective on ethanol production practices.
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Language
English
Publisher
Follow this link for more information: https://www.sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/university-archives
Rights
Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.
Recommended Citation
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, "William GIbbons Papers" (2025). University Archives. 191.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/finding_aids-university/191
