  The total cross sections for the $^{152}$Gd(p,$\gamma$)$^{153}$Tb and
$^{152}$Gd(p,n)$^{152}$Tb reactions have been measured by the activation method
at effective center-of-mass energies \mbox{$3.47 \leq
E_\mathrm{c.m.}^\mathrm{eff}\leq 7.94$ MeV} and \mbox{$4.96 \leq
E_\mathrm{c.m.}^\mathrm{eff} \leq 7.94$ MeV}, respectively. The targets were
prepared by evaporation of 30.6\% isotopically enriched $^{152}$Gd oxide on
aluminum backing foils, and bombarded with proton beams provided by a cyclotron
accelerator. The cross sections were deduced from the observed $\gamma$-ray
activity, which was detected off-line by a HPGe detector in a low background
environment. The results are presented and compared with predictions of
statistical model calculations. This comparison supports a modified optical
proton+$^{152}$Gd potential suggested earlier.
