The Bellarmine Activities Council recently welcomed who The New York Times named "The World's Most Famous Indian Actor," Kal Penn. A rising actor in Hollywood, Penn made his debut in Harold and Kumar, House and 24. Aside from the Hollywood scene, Penn also has a passion for politics. He served as the Associate Director at the White House Office of Public Engagement from 2009 to 2011.
Through his various works in Hollywood and politics, Penn set a tone for students around the country, speaking at schools to encourage them to "Do Something."
Penn took a break from Hollywood to be involved with politics full-time. During his years at The Office of Public Engagement, Penn served as a liaison with Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, helping engage them in a variety of social initiatives. He had friends who were in Iraq and Afghanistan, which was one of his reasons for joining the Obama administration. He wanted to not only help our soldiers, but help our current economic situation, specifically student debts and healthcare.
Penn returned to television this fall with a new role on the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Penn has starred in various independent films and blockbusters, including two Harold and Kumar movies and Superman Returns. The New York Times called his lead role in Mira Nair's The Namesake a "crackling, star-making performance." He was also named one of People's Top 50 Bachelors.
He has also taught two courses at the University of Pennsylvania on Asian-Americans in pop culture and on the history of teen movies. He currently travels around the country speaking to universities about his transition from the big screen to the political world, focusing on the importance of getting involved and following dreams.
Penn made his appearance on Bellarmine's big screen in Frazier Hall on Oct. 17th to over 700 Bellarmine students and community members. BAC chose Penn to come to Bellarmine after a lengthy discussion, where they utilized responses from a survey conducted at the Late Knight Breakfast in April 2011. In the effort to listen to students opinions, BAC decided that any speaker brought to campus should have a strong message as well as a name recognition for students. In the surveys, students indicated that they would like for BAC to bring "people they had heard of."
Penn's message to the Bellarmine community focused on his motivations to take a break from acting, move to DC, and spend a few years to service in the public sector. He gained recognition from the Obama administration as he led "get-out-the-vote" campaigns on college campuses nationwide through more creative measures and use of technology. His message demonstrated his belief that we are all a part of this community and it's up to each and every person to contribute to authentic social change.
Penn told stories of his experiences of life working in the White House and his accomplishments working for the Obama Administration. He was very entertaining to the Bellarmine audience while speaking about serious issues. He was generous enough to answer student questions after his speech. Students asked his advice on education, accomplishing dreams, and of course Harold and Kumar.
Sophomore student, Megan Oskins saw Pen's speech and said, "I was very excited when I heard that BAC was bringing someone new and different to Bellarmine. I think a lot of students were able to relate to his message."
Aside from just speaking in Frazier Hall, Penn met with student groups during his visit on campus such as The Concord, Bellarmine Radio, the Student Government Association, the Bellarmine Activities Council, and other faculty members.
When looking at various possible speakers and artists, BAC felt that the timing was right to bring Penn to campus. They thought students would react positively to the fact that he is just coming off of his tenure with the Obama administration and that he has appeared in movies and shows Bellarmine students likely watch.
Student Activities Coordinator, Elizabeth Cassady said, "BAC thought Kal's speech would transition well with the current university ‘Do Something' theme and relate it to student lives by sharing his experiences."
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