The Independent Collegian

Issue date: 3/19/07 Section: News

Media Credit: MCT Campus Nathan Kepner, a Penn State freshman, performs a card trick for students during Late Night activities at the HUB-Robeson Center at University Park, Pa.

(MCT) - The rubber bands on Nathan Kepner's wrist look innocuous - he's a Penn State student, so maybe they're there to organize his papers or fiddle with during a long lecture.

But after a while, Kepner has them stretched between his fingers. As you watch, two rubber bands cross through each other, defying the laws of science - ironic for a student who plans to become a chemistry teacher.

For now, however, the 19-year-old Schreyer Honors College freshman is better known as a nationally recognized magician. In 2005, he won the Lance Burton Teen Stage Champion award at the world magic seminar in Las Vegas - considered the most prestigious competition for junior magicians. He's won a Society of American Magicians' Genii Award for up-and-coming performers twice.

"I started when I was 5 years old. I got a magic set from Pizza Hut," Kepner said.

Unlike other children, Kepner didn't lose interest in magic.

Watching "The World's Greatest Magic" television series was a favorite pastime.

By the time he was 10, he wanted to have real doves to go with his growing repertoire.

His parents said he could get the birds if he still felt that way when he finished middle school.

"The day middle school was over, I was in the pet shop," Kepner said.

Those two doves have since grown to six.

Because they aren't welcomed in university dormitories, they usually stay with Kepner's parents near Harrisburg. Recently, they've taken up temporary residence in a biology lab on campus so Kepner can use them in a performance.

Mixing magic with school work is not new to Kepner. While in high school, Kepner, a member of the high school marching band, made the drum major disappear during a football game halftime performance.

He said he sees a strong connection between his magic and teaching, particularly the importance of understanding how people think.

Kepner performed his first show when he was 10 at a bowling alley for a 5-year-old's birthday party. He said he is largely self-taught from books and videos and is always trying to improve his act.

Continued...

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