2008 Woodie Awards
Rollins Alumnus, Former Sandspur Editor, Thomas DiBacco, Ph.D.
Jean Bernard Chery
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: Holt News
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During his four years here, he was a very active student. He was involved in so many student organizations to the point he can't remember them all this day. Among the few he remembers are sports editor and editor-in-chief of The Sandspur, the chapel choir, many honor societies, and of course, the theater where he was president of the Rollins Players and most importantly the place where he met his beloved wife, Mallie Z. Rowe, Ph.D.
Unsurprisingly, the two met on stage at Annie Russell Theatre where Rowe was Sister Angelica in Puccini's one-act opera by the same name, and DiBacco was Caesar in George Bernard Shaw's "Androcles & The Lion," a one-act presentation playing at the same time. DiBacco was a senior, and Rowe was a freshman. They met in February, 1959, and got married in August. They then went to Washington where they lived for nearly 40 years. Rowe's education was interrupted by the birth of her two children, but when they reached high school, she went on to complete her Ph.D.
Respectively, DiBacco earned his Master's degree and Ph.D. in 1962 and 1965 at the American University in Washington, D. C., where he afterward taught from 1965 to 1999. He specializes in American history. He is currently enjoying the title of Professor Emeritus. DiBacco was named Rollins Distinguished Alumnus in 1983, and he was asked to teach a class at Rollins this year, which he considers to be an honor.
He was also named Best Professor in 1971 by the senior class of The American University.
In 2000, his high school text book, "History of the United States (1992 to 1997)," which he co-authored with Mason and Appy, was selected among the three distinguished texts by American Textbook Council. DiBacco never conceals his Rollins background, "To me and my wife, Rollins is home. Whenever I have the opportunity in my writings and speeches to tout myRollins experience and degree, I do it."
During his years in Washington, he regularly appeared on radio and TV programs, including "Good Morning America," "NBC Nightly News," CNBC, and "The Today Show". DiBacco authored four books. Publishers Weekly refers to his latest, "Made in the USA," as "provocative and informative and no student of U.S. history should miss it."