John Hipple: Musicians' helper and garage sale fanatic

	John Hipple, counseling psychologist, has worked extensively with musicians to help them overcome entertainment-related stresses.

Well traveled, well read and, well, a whole lot more. John Hipple, a counseling psychologist at UNT, has nearly three decades of experience as a counselor. He has been working at the university since 1977, but despite his long tenure, his passion for helping people shows no signs of burning out.

"His main concern is always what is in the best interest of the students and the UNT family," says Judith McConnell, director of Counseling and Testing Services, "He is always seeking the best way to help the students."

Students are the main focus of Hipple's career. He was a high school counselor before coming to UNT, but along the way he also found he could help another group of people.

"I've done a lot of work with performing artists," he says, "musicians in particular. I've worked with many kinds of musicians, including Grammy nominees. I act as a mentor, counselor and consultant to them."

Hipple says it was a natural step from helping students to helping musicians and other performing artists because of the nationally recognized UNT College of Music within walking distance of his office. He helps musicians deal with performance anxiety and stress that can cripple a performer during a recital, audition or performance.

"I think at all levels, performing artists struggle with the ever-present stress of striving for perfection, and I help them work through it," Hipple says.

It's not just people he likes to help. All four of his pets — three cats and one dog — are rescued animals.

In his free time, Hipple is always up for reading a good book or brushing up on trivia, but his favorite thing to do is get out of the house and hit some garage sales.

"I am a garage sale fanatic. My wife and I go every Saturday. During the summer I usually have some time to go on Friday mornings as well. That's when you know you're a fanatic," he says with a laugh, "when you go on Fridays and Saturdays."

Hipple definitely enjoys seeking out treasures, but another alluring aspect of the garage sale scene is the money to be gained by doing some of the selling yourself. Hipple says he uses the money he makes on garage sales when he travels.

"I've done a lot of traveling," he says. "My favorite place is the Far East. I've been to China and spent six weeks in Hong Kong doing some job training there."

As for future travel aspirations, Hipple says, "I'd most want to go back to the Pacific Rim. It's a fascinating place."

BY JAMIE EDINGER kreese@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue:

• Regents to consider 2004 budget
• UNT names provost and vice president for academic affairs
• UNT names Davison interim vice president for development
• TAMS gets $87,000 grant from TI Foundation
• UNT's NAACP chapter earns national recognition
• UNT professor warns of potentially unhealthy eating environment in schools
• Professor talks about USA PATRIOT Act's effect on libraries
• Anti-smoking CD-ROM is cool to Texas middle schoolers
• More pharmacy benefit changes, some already effective

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