Feature PSU Hazleton welcomes... James Robert Gibson We have among us a composer whose works have been performed by prestigious orchestras. He is the new music teacher here at Hazleton, Dr. James Robert Gibson. Gibson came to Highacres to get back into civilization, believe it or not! He had previously taught at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, which is quite removed from Washington or NYC and Jon Bonner On October 19th, the women in the dorm were treated to an excellent lec ture on rape-prevention, Curtis Manning You may have seen a little red car with Texas plates in the parking lot, and wondered who in the world could be here in the Hazleton campus from Texas! It is Captain Curtis Manning, the new ROTC instructor who replaced Major Hicks beginning this fall term. Capt. Manning, 30, was born in Colorado Springs, other cultural centers he wished to be closer to. Gibson has also taught at Cornell University (part time while working on his Doctorate.) Gibson is happy with our campus; he thinks the faculty is "well-informed and dedicated", and the students he finds "refreshing, because at Fort Kent, most of them had gone through grade school together, so they had basically the same views on followed by a mini-workshop. On November 9th, the same speaker appeared again in the dorm, this time ac- Colorado and went to Texas Christian University at Fort Worth where he received a BA in International Affairs and an MA in Political Science. He was recently attending Army School (for a routine update on technology) in El Paso for six months, thus the Texas license plates. Manning came to by, Pamela Eppinger most things". Gibson, 34, was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and at tained his Bachelors Degree at the University of Michigan, his Masters at the University of Maryland, and his Doctorate at Cornell. He met his wife Heidi while at Fort Kent. He has a lengthy list of achievements and interests. He is a professional piano player, a conductor in musical theatre and opera, and has had articles on Or nathology (study of birds) in major magazines. Some of his compositions have been performed by the Rochester Philharmonic, the Aeolian Chamber Players, the American Theatre in Berlin, Germany, and on New• England and European television and radio. "I would stop everything else to continue writing," says Gibson. Gibson is also interested in travel. He's been to Europe on five occasions to perform, to Central America, and to the West Indies, and he is looking forward to visiting other places. Gibson teaches Music 5 and companied by several of his students who helped him in an equally good presentation of the Martial Arts that was enjoyed by all. The speaker was Jon Bonner, a new speech professor here at Hazleton, who is simultaneously teaching at the Schuykill campus. Bonner came to Hazleton this fall term to fill a faculty vacancy, and says he really likes the campus, although he hasn't gotten a chance to see it all yet. "I have an office somewhere; I really don't know where anything is yet", said Bonner. He notes that the students here seem cooperative and ambitious, though he has not been able to Highacres as a second choice; he wanted to go to Foreignary Officers School, but when he heard the name Penn State, he was pleased with the Army's second assignment for him. "But when they said Hazleton, I said 'Where the heck is Hazleton?' But now I'm pleased that I'm here. I love the campus; I love this whole area of the nor theastern United States. I get along well with the faculty, too. They have a very good reputation in the community and out at U-Park. They have gone out of their way to make me feel at home. I was shocked at the number of out of-state students; there must be something really good here," said Manning. Manning did become acquainted with Major Hicks, his family, and his way of running the ROTC program, while staying with him this 8, Chorus, and private voice and music lessons for one credit per term. The piano and voice cost an additional $3O or $4O per term, which is still much less than hiring a teacher outside of PSU, and this way you receive credit. He suggests that any students who are considering becoming involved with the Musical, but are hesitant because of limited vocal training, should see him. "You don't have to be musically trained to take lessons", he says. What kind of music does a Doctor in Music enjoy? Sure, he likes classical, as many of us would have guessed. But, he also enjoys 60's rock, Jazz, and Country (Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris are favorites). Gibson's views on how music should be taught are much less varied than his musical preferences. He is (acutely) aware of the rumors that Music 5 was "an .easy A" last year, and that the students enrolled in the course Fall Term had quite a shock! "It's better in the long run if you have to strive above meet many of them yet. Bonner is a talented young man with many interests. He grew up in Coaldale, Penn sylvania, and attended East Stroudsburg and Ship pensburg State to receive a BS and Masters degree in Speech and Communications. He presently resides in Tamaqua with his wife, Jackie and two-year-old daughter, Jaime. Another major facet of Bonner's life is his interest in the martial arts. He is a third degree blackbelt in Goshin- Budo Ju Jitsu, and is the Director and Chief Instructor of the Goshin School of Ju Jitsu in Tamaqua. This school has many awards, distinctions, and trophies past summer for a few days until his Conyngham residence was ready. Man ning presently resides there with his wife and 16-month old daughter, Megan Tyler Manning. He doesn't plan to make any major changes in the program, aside from his personal lesson plans. The freshman course lends itself more to the political science aspect of the service. The Department of Defense, influences of the President and Congress on the military, and clearing up misin formation about the Armed Forces are some of the major topics covered in the ROTC program. "It's important that ROTC be offered in the major universities for the sole purpose of. offering an alternative for students. The Army isn't for everyone; of the approximately 120 Page 5 which you fell you are capable. You'll produce more. Education is the ex change of ideas with a challenge,, not just memorization, or it doesn't mean anything," said Gib son. He thinks this kind of challenge has made PSU a university students can be proud to hail from. Gibson feels that the ideal teacher "maintains high standards and believes in challenge, but can be a warm and available person one can really talk to." This reporter feels that all of these qualities couldn't be per sonified any better in anyone than they are in Dr. James Robert Gibson. NOTE: Be sure to attend the musical in late winter or early spring; it will hopefully be the first in a series of musicals. See him in S-104 if interested. On December 8, 1982, James Robert Gibson will be giving a free piano recital in C-1 at 7 p.m. He will be playing popular classical pieces by Brahrns, Debussy, and Schubert, and will be performing his work "Threshold" for the first time in public. under its yellow, orange, black (etc.) belt from tour nament competition. Bonner has been involved with self-defense and Oriental weaponry for over ten years, and is now a nationally recognized in structor in the National Karate and Ju Jitsu Union, the President of the Tatsu-Do Ju Jitsu Association, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Penn sylvania Society of Black belts. It is clear that Bonner's talents and achievements are diverse and noteworthy. He is truly a credit to our campus and the Collegian wishes him continued success. students enrolled, most of them probably won't con tinue, but they'll be exposed to the real military instead of only the influence of the media. They can form opinions by their own ex perience. For example, the Army was blamed by the media for the Vietnam War, but they actually had no control over what happened because the executive branch commits us to war," said Manning. Manning says the ROTC program in universities is not designed to get people in the Army. "The program is two fold; it is to provide public information and also, for the people who stay in it for 4 years, it can mean corn mission and becoming an officer." The Collegian extends their best wishes to Captain Manning and his family.
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