Rich Ross, president of Disney Channels worldwide and 1983 Penn alumnus, will visit Annenberg School of Communication, Room 110 at 4:30 today to guide students to and discuss future prospects in the entertainment industry.
Ross has been coming back to Penn for the last 15 years to share his knowledge with students.
Over the course of his career, Ross built the Disney Channel Original Movies franchise, which recently produced international smash-hit High School Musical and High School Musical 2. He also directed the development of Disney Channel shows like Hannah Montana, That's So Raven and Lizzie McGuire, among others.
According to Kelly Cleary, senior associate director of Career Services, the student response to today's event has been overwhelmingly positive.
"There are so many Penn students who are interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry," she wrote in an e-mail. "Rich is someone who has been in their shoes and proved that with hard work, dedication and a passion for the industry, you can become one of the leaders."
Last year, about 100 students attended his talk, Cleary wrote. She added that Rich's story is inspiring, and students can identify with him - those who attend his talks always walk away with concrete advice for being successful in the entertainment industry.
"It's always a great experience," College senior Bing Chen wrote in an e-mail. "He's incredibly candid and honest, which is a rarity for people of his level and achievement. He has real stories, will tell you what he loves and loathes, but is able to temper it with a very astute perspective on the industry."
Bing said this year will be his fourth hearing Ross speak.
Wharton sophomore Linda Wang wrote in an e-mail that she will attend Rich's talk for the first time today and is looking forward to it.
She added that Disney is a great company to work with, and she associates it with wonderful childhood memories.
"Rich is a dynamic and entertaining speaker who is committed to giving back to the Penn community," Cleary wrote. "We are very fortunate that he continues to make time in his extremely busy schedule to help Penn students pursue their dreams."
*This article was changed at 11:24 a.m. on Feb. 11 to say that Rich Ross is speaking at Annenberg School of Communication, Room 110
