Timothy Gibbs oral history interview, 2021 August 16

Description

In this interview Timothy Gibbs describes in great detail his life from high school to attending UNC Charlotte from 1978 to 1983. [All Times Approximate]. His decision to attend the University of North Carolina Charlotte after graduating from West Charlotte High School [00:34]. His family having four generations of college graduates and his parents occupations [3:08]. Early impressions of the University and being a commuter student while interning for the City of Charlotte [5:16]. Changing his major from engineering to geography due to racism within the department and the lack of support for Black students [9:39]. The influence of Dr. Gerald Pyle on his academic career [15:39]. Being employed as an intern with the City of Charlotte Transportation department from high school until he graduated college [18:50]. Attending UNC Chapel Hill for a Masters in Regional Planning and his perspective on differences between the two institutions [21:34]. His feelings towards the growth of the university city area of Charlotte and the city as a while [29:21]. His philosophy on working with communities in the region [31:11]. His perspective of campus life for African American students from 1978-1983 [41:17]. His recollection of issues and events that affected the African American community on campus and students taking a bus to Forsyth County, Georgia to protest [48:00]. Being a public school student in Charlotte when there was mandatory bussing and his thoughts on the court case that ended the practice [52:11 min]. His work with the West Charlotte Alumni Association and the importance of West Charlotte as a historically Black high school [1:03:52]. Advice for incoming students and future alumni of the university [1:18:10].