Tibbitts, Clark, 1903-....

Gerontologist, lecturer in social research, and director of the Institute for Human Adjustment at the University of Michigan.

From the description of Clark Tibbitts papers, 1936-1985. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34421379

Clark Tibbitts (1903-1985) a moving force in the establishment of the discipline of gerontology, began his career at the University of Michigan, and retained contact with it long after he left to work with the federal government. He earned a B.S. degree at the Lewis Institute in 1924, and pursued postgraduate work at the University of Chicago. Tibbitts first joined the University of Michigan faculty in the Department of Sociology, teaching courses in social statistics.

In 1935, Tibbitts became a regional director of the United States Health Survey, but returned to the University in 1938 for a joint appointment as director of the newly-established Institute for Human Adjustment (IHA) and lecturer in sociology. In 1948, Tibbitts planned the first public conference on aging, held at the University of Michigan. Soon after, Tibbitts left the University to work with the first of a series of federal committees which sought to coordinate governmental and national activities in the area of gerontology. It was in his capacity as chairman of the Committee on Aging that Tibbitts directed the first National Conference on Aging in 1950, sponsored by the Federal Security Agency. The committee gained departmental status with Tibbitts as deputy director of the Office of Aging, 1960-1966. He subsequently served as director of training for the Administration of Aging, 1966-1974, director of the National Clearinghouse on Aging, 1974-1976, and as special assistant to the Commissioner on Aging (1976-19? ).

In addition to these administrative positions, Tibbitts remained active as a professional sociologist. He continued to teach, and published several articles and textbooks on gerontology. His professional affiliations included the American Sociological Society, American Statistical Association, Gerontological Society, Inc., Michigan Sociological Society, and the Society for Social Research. In 1957, Tibbitts was awarded an honorary Sc. D. degree from the Institutum Divi Thomae.

From the guide to the Clark Tibbitts papers, 1926-1985, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)