'Never forget your roots' Broadcasting alumnus earns Mid-America Emmy award for local food TV show

From the moment Michael Gibson (’17) stepped on campus, he knew Evangel University would be the place to grow in his calling of broadcast television.

“There is not a feeling in the world like when that red light on the camera comes on and you have to perform,” Gibson said.

Gibson’s passion for TV was fostered by his grandfather Dr. Gary Smalley, former family-relationship author, speaker, and TV personality.

“He worked with television personalities from Oprah Winfrey to Larry King and on shows like ‘Fox & Friends’, ‘Extra’ and ‘The Today Show’,” Gibson said. “I decided I wanted to do broadcasting after seeing my grandfather work with John Tesh and Connie Sellecca in the 1990s.”

Gibson created and hosted “Ozarks Big Bite”, a two-minute weekly feature on regional news outlet KY3 in Springfield, Missouri, which aired during his senior year.

The show’s idea came about in a class with Dr. Cameron Pace during Gibson’s senior year. After landing an internship with KY3, he decided to pitch the idea, and everything fell into place.

Gibson came to Evangel during his sophomore year after attending a school in California. He said that he “sought the Lord and wanted His wisdom on where He wants me to be.”

Once he came to Evangel, he knew he had made the right decision.

“I think EU prepared me from A-Z to be able to perform in my field,” he said.

Gibson attributes this to how his professors interacted with him in and out of the classroom.

He said the professors worked to prepare him in the field, and that they never allowed for “half-baked work.”

“At the school where I started out, I was just a number,” he said. “The professors knew me by my number. But, my EU professors would greet me by name. It was a beautiful place to learn and grow and to work with mentors.”

As he continues in his career, Gibson leans heavily on the support of his family.

He says they are the greatest influences on his work, as well as his biggest encouragers.

As Gibson took the stage to accept the 2017 Mid-America Emmy for On-Camera Talent-Performer/Host, his parents were by his side, cheering him on.

“‘Have courage and keep going,’” Gibson said. “That’s their mantra for me.”

Having already achieved what can take others many years of work, Gibson continues looking toward the future, preparing to transition into the world of TV syndication. He and his team are producing a show that will “help people worldwide,” though specifics have not yet been released.

Gibson also had words of encouragement for current EU students and alumni.

“Never forget your roots,” he said. “For me, my roots have been a reminder for me when life gets tough. There have been so many times I’ve felt discouraged, and I go back to my time at EU and the influence that my professors, friends, and mission had on me. Keep those memories close to heart and keep that wisdom close to heart. It helps you go further and gives you that push that you need.”