While studying at UNL, John “Jack” M. Campbell Jr. took classes from many professors, but one teacher stood out as being different than the rest.

Now, decades later, the Lincoln native is honoring the man he describes as a mentor by establishing the Carroll R. McKibbin Scholarship Fund. His gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation, matched by the GE Foundation, created a $30,000 permanent endowment that will provide scholarships for years to come to students majoring in history or political science at UNL’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Campbell said the gift provides the opportunity to publicly recognize his former professor, adviser and friend, Carroll McKibbin.

“He spiced his lectures and teaching with practical events that occurred in his own life and made it possible for us to see beyond the text and the lecture format,” said Campbell, who graduated in 1972 and then earned a master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh.

The two remain in contact despite living on opposite coasts. McKibbin, who lives in southern California, recently retired from teaching at California Polytechnic State University. Campbell lives in Connecticut and is the director of environmental programs for GE Capital, but the two exchange phone calls or visits throughout the year.

McKibbin taught at UNL from 1965 to 1974. Campbell is a trustee of the University of Nebraska Foundation.