The son of Clyde Ira Selby and Sarah E. McIntyre Selby , he went to West Virginia University in the town of his birth , getting him a Bachelor of Science and a Master 's degree in theater , and after that , a Ph. D. from Southern Illinois University . Selby was born in Morgantown , West Virginia , the son of Sarah E. McIntyre Selby and Clyde Ira Selby , a carpenter . He attended West Virginia University in his hometown , earning Bachelor of Science and Master 's degrees in theater , followed by a Ph. D. from Southern Illinois University .