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Dr. Sam Gibson Memorial Herbarium: A Living Legacy
27 Mar
Summary
- Herbarium rededicated to honor late professor Sam Gibson.
- It holds around 3,000 plant specimens, some over 100 years old.
- Plans underway to digitize the collection for global access.
Missouri Southern State University's herbarium has been rededicated as the Dr. Sam Gibson Memorial Herbarium, honoring the late Professor Sam Gibson. Gibson, a biologist who passed away in 2011, was instrumental in the herbarium's development during his 28 years at the university.
The herbarium, founded by Leland Gier in 1968 and curated by Gibson for two decades, now houses approximately 3,000 plant specimens. These specimens primarily represent the Four-State region, with others acquired through specimen exchanges.
Some of the oldest plants in the collection date back to the late 1800s, providing over a century of botanical history. The collection's scientific quality has been consistently maintained by dedicated curators, ensuring its value for research.
Biology faculty are currently preparing to digitize the entire collection. This initiative, expected to begin in the fall, will make the plant specimens accessible online to researchers globally, eliminating the need for physical visits or sample mailings.
