|What About Bob?||Mild-mannered
meteorologist Bob Swanson spends most days in his cubicle at the USA
Today headquarters in McLean, VA. Bob works as the assistant weather
editor for both the USA TODAY newspaper, as well as weather content on
to northern Virginia, Bob spent six years wandering the country as a TV
weatherman, most recently at WJHL in Johnson City, TN. During that time
period, Bob developed and honed his weather presentations in over 350
school and library performances. These visits often feature
weather games, several science demonstrations, and, most importantly, his
self-penned weather songs, including "The Weather Wiggle."
education is in my blood," Bob says when asked why he enjoys
bringing his weather lessons into the schools. Perhaps that is because
he has spent so much time in school.
Bob graduated in
1992 with degrees in both Physics and Philosophy from the University of
Scranton in northeast Pennsylvania. He followed that up with several
years of teaching high school science at Bohemia Manor High School in
Chesapeake City, MD. He returned to the classroom in the fall of
1997-this time not as a teacher, but again as a student, entering the
master's program in meteorology at Penn State University. Still in
school, Bob landed his first television job as the weekend
meteorologist at WTAJ in Altoona, PA, which in turn led to full-time
employment at KHBS-KHOG ABC 40/29 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
His experience in
Arkansas gave him a new appreciation and fascination with severe
weather, as well as further education in severe weather forecasting. The
frequency of severe weather outbreaks pointed out the importance of
teaching severe weather safety, and Bob has also included this as part
of his school program.
"I hope that
I can inform and entertain, perhaps even inspire some students by
showing that meteorology, and science in general, can be fun." An
avid fan of bluegrass, old-timey, and alternative country music, Bob
brings his harmonicas, guitar, banjo, and mandolin along for his weather
presentations. "I tell students to pick up an instrument as soon as
they can, as it can provide a lifetime of enjoyment." His musical
abilities have certainly paid off for Bob-he sang his proposal to his
wife, Meredith. They were married in Tupelo, MS on August 17, 2002.
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