Inaugurated in 1948, the Thomas Gibson Hobbs Memorial Award is given each year “for meritorious service” to those “who through the years, by outstanding Christian service and constructive contributions to human welfare, in spirit have revealed and in achievements notably exemplified those noble qualities that bring credit to alma mater and praise from fellow alumni.” The late Thomas Gibson Hobbs, a member of the first graduating Class of 1904, was a peer among his fellow alumni in devotion, loyalty, and service. He exemplified in full measure the purposes, the ideals, and the principles for which our alma mater stands.
In 1915, Hobbs was elected to membership on the Board of Trustees at Lynchburg. In 1918, he was elected President of the Board of Trustees and held this office for over twenty-four years, until he died in 1942. The school was deep in his affection, and he gave himself to its interests with abandon. No call upon him by the school was too trivial, too great, nor too demanding. He gave unreservedly of his time, his abilities, and his professional services to promoting the interests of his alma mater.
Hobbs had four great loves and interests that consumed his time and energies — his home, his church, his alma mater, and his community. To each of these, he played an exemplary Christian role. He was held in affectionate esteem and eminent respect by all who knew him as a friend and Christian gentleman. It is fitting and proper, therefore, that the recognition to be given to alumni selected for their services to humanity should be known as the Thomas Gibson Hobbs Memorial Award.
Nomination Deadline
Nominations for all alumni awards will close on Oct. 1, 2024.
Nomination Criteria
Eligibility Requirements
- A recipient must be a Lynchburg graduate or have attended Lynchburg for at least two years, and graduated from an accredited University at least ten (10) years before his/her selection.
- The Hobbs Award Selection Committee shall be free to consider recommending posthumous awards in rare cases.
- Current Alumni Board, alumni faculty and staff members are eligible to receive the award.
Criteria for Selection
- Each recipient of the Thomas Gibson Hobbs Memorial Award must display, as did Mr. T. Gibson Hobbs 1904, an exemplary record of service in each of these areas: church (interpreted in as broad an ecumenical manner as deemed appropriate), community, and alma mater. Outstanding service in one or two of the three areas is not sufficient.
- The Hobbs Award Selection Committee and the Alumni Board of Directors need to be ever cognizant of the fact that the T. Gibson Hobbs Award is the highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus or alumna of the University, and constantly strive to present the Hobbs Award only to individuals who are thoroughly qualified and deserving of this high honor.
- Nominations: Accepted from Lynchburg alumni only. If you have a nominee to suggest and are not an alumnus of Lynchburg, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations.
- Other: This honor may be posthumously bestowed.
Questions?
Contact Tom Burrowes, senior director of alumni and external engagement, at 434.544.8431 or burrowes@lynchburg.edu
