If you walk into Irvine Auditorium on March 18, you might think you are at Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center instead. Really.
That’s because Seth Meyers — Saturday Night Live cast member and head writer — will be taking the stage at Irvine Auditorium that night as the Social Planning and Events Connaissance Committee spring speaker. Even though Meyers will not be performing stand up, we think he’ll still make us laugh. And it’s refreshing that SPEC chose someone who primarily entertains for a living.
The last few Connaissance speakers have come from the world of politics. Former Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes spoke in the fall, and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Deptuty Chief of Staff to George W. Bush Karl Rove have also been recent choices. Penn also attracts a lot of political figures outside of SPEC — most recently with U. S. Ambassador to China and Penn alumnus John Huntsman, Jr. as the graduation pick. The last time a comedian was the choice was over two years ago, with Whoopi Goldberg speaking. It’s about time for some variety and the return of an entertainment-industry pick.
Penn students like to both work hard and play hard, and the latter should be highlighted in large events as well as the former. While we certainly aren’t against politicians coming to campus, politicial speakers don’t appeal to everyone. We’re glad SPEC chose to reach out to a different (and perhaps broader) section of the student body this time.
Besides, if you really miss politics, you can always ask Meyers to do his John Kerry impersonation.
