2A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2005
NEWS
BY ERIN WILEY
editor@kansan.com
KANSAN CORRESPONDENT
Jerel Hilding
Associate professor and director of dance
Jerel Hilding has danced professionally in companies in Kansas and across the United States and is a member of the department of music and dance here at the University of Kansas. Hilding e-mailed The University Daily Kan-
san about his experiences.
What kind of classes do you teach at the University?
I teach ballet technique classes — beginner through advanced — and music classes for dancers — pointe, pas
de deux and dance repertory classes. I also choreograph for the University Dance Company.
What is your history in dance?
I began my dance training in New Orleans when I was 19. My primary teacher in New Orleans was Joseph Giacobbe. I was a charter member of the Delta Festival Ballet, directed by Mr. Giacobbe.
During summers, I studied in New York at the Harkness House for the Ballet Arts, at the Joffrey Ballet School and with various teachers in New York City.
I was invited to join the Joffrey II company when I was 22 and became a member of the Joffrey Ballet when I was 24. I danced with Joffrey for 15 years — 17 if you include Joffry II.
Why did you decide to teach at the University?
Dancers' performing careers parallel that of professional athletes. You must be prepared to make a career transition in your 30s or early 40s.
the small town atmosphere and the proximity to Kansas City. I also have relatives about two and a half hours away in southwest Iowa.
I thought that teaching at KU would allow me to stay in the dance field and provide job security.
Unlike most ballet dancers,
I had graduated with a degree
in music before I went to New
York to join Joffrey II, so the
transition — or you could say
"return" — was not difficult.
What is your biggest accomplishment as a dancer?
I had the opportunity to dance in works by some of the greatest choreographers of the 20th century, including Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine.
I had a family to support,liked
john Cranko, Sir Frederic Ashton, Agnes DeMille, Eugene Loring, Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris, among others.
Among my most notable roles were Petruchio in Cranko's "Taming of the Shrew," the Head Wrangler in DeMille's "Rodeo," Billy in Loring's "Billy the Kid" and principal parts in Robbins' "Opus Jazz" and Gerald Arpinó's "Trinity".
Why would you urge students to attend the University Dance Company's performances later this semester?
Students will be able to sample a wide variety of dances. There will be two ballets, three modern works by KU faculty members, a dance by one of our senior dance majors and a work by this semester's guest artist, Patrick Corbin.
Corbin is a former principal dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. There is sure to be something to enjoy for everyone attending the concert.
What is your favorite KU tradition?
I don't have one favorite. I like them all.
What is your favorite KU tradition?
— Edited by Jonathan Kealing
Official leads disaster relief
POLITICS
Powell to oversee recoverv
BY LARA JAKES JORDAN
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was assigned by the Bush administration on Tuesday to oversee the federal government's disaster recovery efforts on the Gulf Coast.
Powell will be the administration's point man for dealing with Congress, state and local governments, and private businesses on relief efforts. He has worked on economic development and housing issues — two central matters in hurricane rebuilding efforts — as a Texas bank executive, university administrator and chamber of commerce official, officials said.
"Don has the leadership, ideas and optimism that the residents of the Gulf Coast region deserve," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff
Donald Powell, 64, a wealthy contributor to President Bush's presidential campaign, will be in charge of coordinating long-term plans to rebuild the states hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in late summer. The sluggish federal response to Katrina, the first and most damaging of the two, has been widely criticized.
Ron Edmonds/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The top federal official overseeing day-to-day Katrina recovery efforts, Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen, will leave that post by year's end.
Lawmakers from Gulf Coast states had pleaded for a federal official to oversee reconstruction projects — in part to safeguard against improprieties in awarding lucrative government contracts.
But Rep, Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., said state and local governments need more support from Washington to rebuild communities instead of "adding
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who pushed the White House to create the post, said he was pleased the president named "a single, focused federal coordinator for the hurricane recovery effort." Louisiana's other senator, Democrat Mary L. Landrieu, said she welcomed "anything that can reduce the red tape, streamline operations and ensure accountability."
President Bush also created a special White House council to develop and review administration plans to help rebuild the region. Headed by National Economic Council Chairman Al Hubbard, it will be made up of Cabinet secretaries and other administration officials.
President Bush meets with Donald Powell, left, and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, right, Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the Oval Office. Bush appointed Powell, who is chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., to oversee federal disaster recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast.
another layer of bureaucracy." And Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., called Powell's appointment "business as usual" for the administration because the longtime banker "has no disaster recovery experience."
"I find this terribly troubling.
"I find this terribly troubling — especially given the tragic missteps of Michael Brown," said Kennedy. He was referring to the former FEMA director who resigned in Katrina's wake amid questions about his experience to handle disasters.
Administration officials pointed to Powell's three decades in the financial services industry, including work as president and CEO of the First National Bank of Amarillo, Texas; chairman of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce; and chairman of the Texas A&M University System's Board of Regents.
raised at least $100,000 for Bush's presidential campaign, Powell was praised by the bank- ing industry when Bush appointed him to chair the FDIC in August 2001.
Powell traveled in early September to areas in Louisiana and Mississippi struck by Katrina to inspect damage to banking operations and services. Recently, he was considered to be an overseer of the private donation fund for Katrina headed by former presidents Bush and Clinton.
One of the "Pioneers" who
In a message to FDIC employees on Tuesday, Powell said he was honored to lead the rebuilding effort though sad to leave the federal agency.
"I can look back with pride on our many accomplishments in each of our three major priority areas: stability, sound policy and stewardship," he wrote.
Mike Hutmacher/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jacked-up ride
With their wagon on automobile jack stands, Raymond Towner, left, and Jacob Fayette do some repair work on the rear axle Tuesday in Wichita. The two fourth-graders had the day off from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School for All Saints Day.
Tell us your news
Contact Austin Caster,
Jonathan Keeling,
Ajaylah Bansal,
Ty Beaver or Nate Karlin at
864-4810 or
editor@kansan.com.
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