Greg Gibson Fulfills Goal, Graduates from College

Greg Gibson, the celebrated home plate umpire from MLB YouTube videos of 2013, graduated from Eastern Kentucky University on Friday, achieving a 30-year goal of attaining a college degree, in the program of Risk Management and Insurance.

EKU turned the spotlight on Gibson's accomplishment in March, pointing out that the 23-year MLB umpire is a first-generation college student, the first in his family to pursue and complete a degree.

Gibson's original plans for college at the Ashland Community and Technical College were put on hold in 1991 when he left academia to attend the Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires, working his way through the minor leagues and into the bigs, where he has officiated nine Division Series, five League Championship Series, and the 2011 World Series; he previously attended the University of Kentucky and Shawnee State University.

The following congratulatory tweet was posted by EKU President Dr. Michael Benson:

Hey @Buster_ESPN

He did it! Congrats to @MLB umpire Greg Gibson on staying persistent and earning his degree from @EKU tonight.

I was honored to present him with his dilploma and even happier to call him an #EKU Colonel @eku_cbt #EKUGrad pic.twitter.com/Hr7cKSiy2X

— Michael Benson (@EKUPrez) May 11, 2019