Shippensburg University appointed Vickie Hubbard as director of the Luhrs Performing Arts Center (LPAC) in July, but now that classes are back in session and campus is filled with students, Hubbard cannot wait to share in the magic of entertainment with SU.

Hubbard comes from a long and competent career in the venue industry. She worked many years at Hershey Entertainment and Resorts and has also worked at the Giant Center, Hersheypark Stadium, Hersheypark Arena, Star Pavilion, and with Hershey Bears hockey.

Aside from Hubbard’s previous employment with Hersheypark and Hershey’s surrounding areas, she oversaw the Pullo Center at Penn State York and the Modell-Lyric in Baltimore. Hubbard tried her hand at other careers but could not get away from running venues. 

Hubbard has spent a good chunk of her life working in the venue industry and it is likely that she would not be the same person she is today without it.

“Once it’s in your blood, it pretty much becomes your life,” Hubbard said. 

Hubbard has developed several close ties to Shippensburg University over the years and has always respected the Luhrs Performing Arts Center (LPAC) for what it does.

“It’s quite simply, a beautiful state of the art facility that runs like a well-oiled machine thanks to Leslie [the former Luhrs director], her staff and the wonderful volunteers,” Hubbard said about LPAC.

Even though Hubbard was content with her job at the time, when the opportunity to become director of the LPAC opened, she said she had to chase it. 

Hubbard has experience working with venues, but competition is a challenge that all venues face, including SU’s LPAC. Hubbard plans to diligently work to overcome an overwhelming amount of outside competition. 

“There are so many entertainment choices out there for the consumer dollar so we have to make sure we are staying current and offering folks the best entertainment choices around at a good value,” Hubbard said. “We don’t want you to just come to a show here, we want you to have an entire experience.” 

On-campus entertainment is an important part of student life according to Hubbard. “Students need a variety of outlets for recreational and entertainment activities while living on campus during their college career,” Hubbard said. “I am hoping to book more shows that the students will want to attend.”

Hubbard is interested in investing back into the school and encourages students interested in her industry to come speak with her. “One of the reasons I love working on a campus is to share my love and passion of venue management with others,” Hubbard said.

Share