 |
Jeremy Hines '05
 |
Jeremy Hines '05
Drummer and student entrepreneur |
Who put the pep in the Louisburg pep band? An 18-year-old freshman,
that's who.
Jeremy Hines hails from Greensboro, NC, where he was active in high
school music programs. He first heard of Louisburg while checking
out another school. He liked what he heard, made a visit with his
parents, and enrolled in fall of 2003. Jeremy immediately
appreciated the Louisburg experience. "I like small classes, and
Louisburg is small," he says. "Here you're not a number. You get
personal attention. Every teacher, all the deans - even the
president - know your name."
But as the semester progressed, he found something that bothered
him.
"When basketball season rolled around, my friends and I would sit
courtside talking to the players, trying to build spirit," Jeremy
says. "But we wanted to do more. We wondered why there wasn't a pep
band. I used to play trumpet in high school but decided I couldn't
carry it around campus. So I bought some drumsticks and started
playing in my room. I started to practice - just in case."
What happened next is etched strongly in the mind of Louisburg's
Dean of Students. "I just spent $250 on drumsticks," says Dean Mike
Lloyd. "Why? An 18-year-old freshman came up to me last fall and
said, 'Why don't we have a pep band?' I said, 'Why don't you
organize one?' He said, 'Are you serious?' I said, 'Yes, I sure
don't know how to start one. Why don't you?' And he did."
How do you start a pep band? Jeremy had to figure it out. He made
contacts, found a company in Texas for the drumsticks, went to the
local high school and asked if they had any spare drums Louisburg
could use. And they did. Now Louisburg has two snares, three tenors,
four bases, and one quad. Since they got the drums, a small group
has been practicing in Jeremy's room and in the college
multi-purpose room. They hope to be ready to play at Homecoming in
March 2004. Why not sooner? "I want to be right when we go out
there," says Jeremy. He also has plans to play at Admissions Open
Houses and to recruit more players for the future, even after he
moves on.
Jeremy is majoring in psychology and plans to go to North Carolina
Central University after graduation, to major in psychology with a
minor in music. But he doesn't plan to leave Louisburg College
behind. He hopes to come back after graduation to start a full band.
He's determined to see this project through to prosperity.
Jeremy's recommendation for prospective students? "As long as you do
your studies, you will have time to have fun. Talk to your teachers,
get to know your administrators, find activities, and stay
busy."
He's living proof that if you want something at Louisburg College,
go for it. You'll have the support you need to make your dreams come
true.
|
|
|
|
|
