HALL OF FAME
2000
Verna K. Gibson is nationally known for her outstanding career and leadership in the retail fashion clothing industry. She joined The Limited Stores as a merchandising trainee in 1971 and worked her way up the corporate ladder to become President and CEO of The Limited Stores, then added Limited Too and Cacique Lingerie. 

Gibson led the company through an impressive expansion from eight stores to over 770 nationally. Currently, Gibson consults in the fashion retail industry and is a member of the Board of Directors for several retail clothing companies, including Chico's FAS, Mother's Work, and Today's Man. She is president of Outlook Consulting and assists clients in launching new businesses and business expansion. Additionally, she was a six-year member of the U.S. Reserve Board.

Gibson has received several awards, including the AMA Marketer of the Year Award in 1990, and in 1986 was the recipient of the Marshall University Distinguished Alumnus Award. 

She is a member of the John Marshall Society and a former member of the Society of Yeager Scholars at MU. She has provided significant financial support by establishing the Verna K. and James E. Gibson endowment for Yeager Scholars and provided major financial support for the Higher Education for Learning Problems (H.E.L.P.) Program building fund. She and her husband, James, faithfully attend Marshall athletic and alumni events and other university functions and are major contributors to Marshall athletics.