Former Western public relations director dies

Dee Gibson Jr., 79, a former Western public relations director, died in his Bowling Green home Tuesday at 8:10 p.m.

The Cleveland, Tenn., native was a Western graduate and charter member of the Sports Hall of Fame.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, 621 E. 12th Street. Donations to the church’s building fund may be sent to the church as an expression of sympathy.

Gibson was a 15-year employee at Reynolds Metal, a World War II Army veteran, director of the Boys and Girls Clubs and deacon at the First Baptist Church.

Survivors include: his wife, Betty Jo Cook; son, Gregory D. Gibson of Hendersonville, Tenn.; daughter, Dru Habermel of Crestwood; uncle, James Gibson of Cleveland, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.

– Shawntaye Hopkins

SGA sponsors Dialogue Day

Western’s movers and shakers will be hanging out in the Java City cafe on Tuesday.

Student Government Association’s student affairs committee is sponsoring Dialogue Day on April 15 from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Dialogue Day was designed so students could interact with administrators and deans at Western on a more personal basis.

“Students are gonna be able to approach them and meet them,” said Katie Dawson, a member of SGA and co-chair of the student affairs committee. “The whole concept was to make it a personal setting.”

Those invited to attend include University Senate Chairman Doug Smith; Howard Bailey, Dean of Student Life; and Provost Barbara Burch. A representative from dining services will also attend.

Smith said he will attend to discuss issues that effect both faculty and students, such as the recent burn-out of campus emergency lights.

John Bradley, SGA executive vice president and SGA president-elect, will also attend.

Dawson said SGA hopes Dialogue Day will allow students to be more comfortable going to administrators and deans with their concerns.

Dialogue Day is not similar to the SGA forums held this year, Dawson said. It will be a very informal setting for discussion.

“The administration has been fantastic about cooperating,” Dawson said. “They’re happy to have the opportunity to interact with students one on one.”

Refreshments will also be available.

-Adriane Hardin