Dr. Gilbert, a native Texan, grew up in the East Texas city of Kilgore
where he excelled as a high school athlete in several
sports. He was awarded an athletic scholarship
to Texas Tech University. Before moving on to Texas
Tech, he was selected MVP as the top lineman in the
1964 Texas High School All-Star Game at TCU's Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.
It was an historic game in Texas High School All-Star
Game annals, setting an all-time attendance record
that still stands today.
Dr.
Gilbert graduated from Texas Tech University with
a Bachelor of Science degree.
At Tech he was named to the Deanšs List and
was selected as one of the university's top students
as a "Tech Salutes" honoree. Dr. Gilbert
served as Community Service chairman of his fraternity,
Phi Delta Theta. He was also named to the consensus
All-SWC team and earned All-American 2nd team honors
while at Texas Tech as a wide receiver in football.
Upon
graduation from U.S. Air Force Officer Training School
as a second lieutenant, Dr. Gilbert successfully completed
Undergraduate Pilot Training at Craig AFB, Alabama
where he earned his pilot's wings. He flew two tours
of duty in Viet Nam while earning the Air Medal. Dr.
Gilbert completed his service commitment as an Aircraft
Commander of a KC-135 Jet Tanker and was honorably
discharged with the rank of Captain.
Dr.
Gilbert's career in education includes six years of
public school teaching and 25-plus years of community
college teaching and administration. He earned a Master
of Education degree from Tarleton State University
and was selected as the Dean of the Pampa Center for
Clarendon College. Dr. Gilbert was the instructional
leader for the Pampa Center campus for nine years
where he was responsible for all academic, vocational-technical
and continuing education programs. He was responsible
for all campus operations including scheduling, registration,
and admission services. He also found time to teach
American History classes for six years.
Dr.
Gilbert was then selected as Dean of the Ellis County
Center for Navarro College where he served for ten
years. He earned his Doctorate in Higher Education
Administration from Texas Tech University while beginning
his instructional administration duties at Navarro
College. Dr. Gilbert was in charge of all instructional
programs and operations of the Ellis County Center
in Waxahachie, Texas. He taught orientation classes within the Psychology Department for ten years at Navarro College.
"I
have always enjoyed the challenges of supervising
all the various instructional activities and all college
operations of an off-campus center in a community
college setting," he says. "However, my
first love in community college administration has
always been in the academic instructional area. Therefore,
I am excited to be working directly as an academic
instructional leader with my duties as Dean of Arts
and Sciences at NCTC. I have been very fortunate to
have experienced the many facets of community college
administration. I have been blessed to be at places
where we had tremendous growth in student enrollments
under my leadership. We have even a greater growth
potential at NCTC. I am privileged to be part of an
outstanding faculty, staff and administration at NCTC."
Dr.
Gilbert has been a member of professional organizations
including the Texas Community College Teachers Association;
TACTE and the Texas Community College Instructional
Administrators.
Larry and his wife Kathy, a Registered Dietician with a nationally recognized publishing company, are parents to four children and two grandchildren, Grace and Grant. Dr. Gilbert is an avid golfer and enjoys music and drama productions including Dallas
Summer Musicals, the Dallas Opera, and our NCTC Jazz Band
and the NCTC College Singers.
