Comedian Ben Stiller to speak at senior event

Fans of cult movie characters Derek Zoolander and Gaylord Focker will have their chance to hear from the man behind the laughs when Ben Stiller comes to campus on April 18. The Class of 2005 officers announced Thursday that Stiller will visit the University to speak to a seniors-only audience in a casual setting.

"He has really made a tremendous effort to put this event in place," class president Azalea Kim '05 said in an email to seniors. "We are excited and grateful to have him on campus."

The event, which will take place in Richardson Auditorium, will begin with an interview of Stiller by English professor Benjamin Widiss followed by a question-and-answer session.

Last spring, Class of 2005 officers sought ideas and requests for a Class Day speaker on their website, Kim said in an interview. Stiller ranked highest in the voting, and in September, the class officers and Class Day committee invited him to speak on campus.

Stiller accepted the invitation in October but cancelled in February because of a scheduling conflict with a film he's producing.

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students Thomas Dunne said that such a cancellation was not unexpected. "Obviously with someone whose career is as successful as his there's always the risk of a scheduling conflict," he said.

But Stiller still "wanted to explore other opportunities to come down here and meet with the class," Dunne said.

Some seniors will still be working on their theses on April 18 but Kim said she is "hoping they will be able to budget their time to allow their full participation in this event."

Support nonprofit student journalism. Donate to the ‘Prince’. Donate now »

Kim said she would have preferred to schedule the event later in the month, but Stiller's availability was limited by his current performances in Neil LaBute's Broadway play, "This Is How It Goes."

Though traditionally a forum for a speech by a prominent retiring professor, Class Day speeches have recently become a forum for celebrities and major dignitaries to speak to graduates and their families.

In recent years, seniors have attracted Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld and former Secretary of State James Baker '52 to the University to speak at Class Day.

Kim and Dunne both said they are not yet ready to announce other senior week or Class Day plans. "Just like other events [of this nature], you don't want to get ahead of yourself before you have the facts down straight," Kim said.