Kal Penn discusses acting, public service

On Tuesday, actor and public servant Kal Penn spoke in Shriver Hall as part of the final installment of the MSE Symposium’s fall speakers series. During the speech, Penn discussed both his political and entertainment careers, describing experiences ranging from his very first acting audition, and the blatant racial stereotyping he encountered, to his first meeting with President Obama.

Penn is known for his roles in the Harold and Kumar movie series, Van Wilder, The Namesake and the medical drama series House M.D. In 2009, he became the associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, an agency dedicated to opening dialogue between the Obama Administration and the American public. He also served as co-chair for President Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.

“[Working for the White House] was never something I knew I was going to do professionally. . .I believe in this particular president and am really happy with the way that he was elected and the things that he has managed to get accomplished so far so I thought, ‘why not?’” Penn said.

In his speech, Penn encouraged students to take risks and told them to never feel as though they need to choose between public service, a professional career and a fun personal life.

“Don’t buy into excuses that other people want you to believe about why you can’t do something or why something is standing in your way, but when you prove them wrong, don’t get cynical. . .I hope you do amazing things, I hope you change the world, I hope you do crazy things,” Penn said.

Following the speech, students were given 15 minutes to ask Penn questions. Students made inquiries about why Penn changed his name from Kalpen Suresh Modi and what he plans to do next in his career.

“My favorite part [of speaking on college campuses] is the Q&A because you really get a sense of what people are most curious about, so that’s always a lot of fun. . .There’s a lot more commonality in this generation than in older folks, and that really comes out,” Penn said.

Many students were surprised that the turnout for Penn’s speech was not as large as those for other MSE events, such as Craig Robinson’s appearance on campus.

“Turnout-wise it was difficult. . .but I think it was great. . .I think the right people made it, and I certainly enjoyed a great speech,” Aidan Christofferson, co-chair of the MSE Symposium, said.

Overall, students appeared engaged by Penn’s speech.

“I thought that he was a very interesting speaker and said a lot of pertinent information for this generation. I thought it was very relevant to his audience. And he was really funny, too,” freshman Molly Hirshik said.

Freshman Shaun Verma agreed.

“He was very funny, very affable,” Verma said.

Penn was originally scheduled to visit campus on Oct. 8, but he rescheduled due to an unforeseen family matter.

“[Rescheduling] was not too difficult. . .Once Kal had provided us with a set of dates that worked for him, we just had to match it up with one of the nights that Shriver Hall was open (of which, by this point in the semester, there aren’t many),” co-chair of the MSE Symposium Aaron Tessler wrote in an email to The News-Letter.

“We chose Kal Penn because...we believe that he represents opportunity and self-actualization. We think it is a powerful message to today’s students, future leaders, that someone who was best known for playing an unmotivated stoner can eventually work in the White House alongside Barack Obama,” Tessler wrote.

During his speech, Penn told a story about his senior year of high school when his guidance counselor told him that it was unrealistic to search for a university that would help prepare him for careers in both show business and civil service. Penn’s career test results were also inconclusive, as his interests were apparently too diverse. He nevertheless attributes much of his success to his performing arts high school and the resources with which it provided him.

“Don’t worry so much,” Penn advised students.