Through the Plexiglass: Matthew Gibbons
By Katie Fehrenbaker
Courtesy of Matthew Gibbons
Tell me about yourself!
Greetings. My name is Matthew Gibbons. In December 2019, I graduated with a Master’s degree from Clarks Summit University in PA. My connection with Cornell goes way back since I have lived my whole life in the Ithaca area. I remember, as a boy, watching the Big Red lose on the grid iron and most recently watching the Big Red women skate to a slot in the NCAA tournament.
Which testing site(s) do you work at?
I work at Willard Strait.
Why did you choose to become a surveillance tester?
When COVID came to the American conscience, I was in the middle of a job search. Needless to say, everything came to a grinding halt. Since I had searched previously for jobs on the Cornell website, I decided to take another look. I chose this job because I wanted to fill space on my resume and I wanted to connect with the Cornell community.
What has your experience working at the testing centers been like so far?
Overall, it has been a pleasant one as a greeter. There were some challenges such as establishing my hours and site location. But this appears to have been resolved as I am currently enjoying a regular full-time schedule at Willard Strait. This has been a rewarding experience for me and I marvel that I am being paid to put a smile on people’s faces.
What do you like to do in your free time? Hobbies? Fun facts? Interests?
I love reading and running and listening to classical music. My reading interests are in the vein of theology and philosophy. I experienced a conversion from despising running to delighting in it about 3 years ago. Since then, I have run three 5Ks, two 10Ks, one half-marathon, and one marathon. I would be lying if I did not admit that COVID has put a cramp in my plans. And in case you are wondering, while I think classical music is one of the greatest genres ever invented, I don’t listen to it while running!
If you could say something to the Cornell community, what would you say?
I want to leave the Cornell community with a message of comfort and challenge. While COVID-19 is new, viruses are not. This will soon pass. Yet, sickness and death are unavoidable realities for us all. So, where do we find our ultimate hope? My prayer is that we would find it in something greater than a negative COVID test.