On March 19th, the Arts and Humanities Students’ Council brought Kal Penn to speak at Western. Kal Penn – of Harold and Kumar fame – continues a tradition of great Arts speakers including Maya Angleou, Frank Warren and Margret Atwood. While many may know him for his unparalleled passion for sliders, it is clear once you meet him that this passion extends into the real world as well, but for media platforms and social change. He came to speak to Western students about both his acting career and his time in politics, as he recently took a two-year sabbatical to work under President Obama in the White House.
As a member of Arts Council, I got to volunteer at the event as an usher, which was pretty cool. We also got to participate in a meet and greet with Kal Penn after the show and take some awesome pictures. Council looked quite snazzy in our matching council sweaters! Kal Penn himself was really inspirational and even funnier than I expected. He stands as a testament to the fact that your degree really can take you anywhere if you have enough passion and drive [he has a degree in sociology and film]. Of course, he also confirmed that Neil Patrick Harris and Olivia Wilde are just as amazing in real life as they seem on TV! Above all, he encouraged us all to follow our dreams, no matter what they may be, and no matter how long you need to eat beans out of the can until you make it.
Thanks so much,
Zoe Woods