R.C. Hibbeler graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana with a BS in Civil Engineering (major in Structures) and an MS in Nuclear Engineering. He obtained his PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Northwestern University.

Hibbeler’s professional experience includes postdoctoral work in reactor safety and analysis at Argonne National Laboratory, and structural and stress analysis work at Chicago Bridge and Iron, as well as Sargent and Lundy in Chicago.  He has practiced engineering in Ohio, New York, and Louisiana.

Hibbeler currently teaches both civil and mechanical engineering courses at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. In the past he has taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana, Youngstown State University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Union College.