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TV star Matthew Fox went to his alma mater today to give the Class Day speech at Columbia College. Fox, class of 1989, was a controversial speaker choice amongst the Columbia community, given that other Columbia University schools had, er, Nobel Laureate and former Treasury Secretary types speaking. Just Jared has a partial transcript of his remarks:
“You may have an idea where you want to be in 20 years and some of you will get there. But if you do, I guarantee you won’t have let yourself take chances. Eighteen years ago sitting in these seats, as hung over as I was, I remember a sense of accomplishment & a sense of fear. In defining the future for yourselves, the safest choice may not be the best choice...Uh, snooze? We probably owe Bwog a when-they-are-old-enough-to-drink beer for predicting this. But we bet lots of graduates were secretly thrilled. If only Fox wasn't wearing the stupid robe - we'd probably like his speech better if he were wearing a wet t-shirt and convincing us that Juliet isn't all bad. We're going to watch Conan O'Brien's Stuyvesant speech now....Live for your own passion, not the aspirations or expectations others have for you. Trade fear for trust. Allow yourself to find that area either of your excellence or your excitement that motivates you to apply the same focus and energy that got you through Columbia. Whatever that area is, there is value in it simply because it is the area of your passion."
You can watch video of Columbia's Class Day event, with special guest appearance from Matthew Fox here (he first appears around 29:34, just walking in...). And if you really want to talk about inspiring, this NY Sun article about local graduates is incredible: There's a 49-year-old Korean immigrant who grew up in Japan, was homeless, and is now graduating magna cum laude from CUNY's Baccalaureate program; a Rwandan refugee graduating from NYU (she went there with a full scholarship from the Jerry Seinfeld Family Scholarship Foundation); and an 84-year-old four-time cancer survivor who is graduating from Queens College.
Update: We've finally slogged through the video (damn you, Real Player) and Matthew is pretty charming. The crowd loves him (we couldn't hear any boos) and he seemed very bashful. Fox acknowledged how previous Class Day speakers were titans of industry (Robert Kraft), a senator (John McCain), and a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright (Tony Kushner). He said, "Yes, I can understand some of your skepticism. I understand the sentiment of your classmate Julia Kite. Is Julia out there today? I tend not to fall prey to the narcissistic exercise of reading your own reviews, but I did come across what she said to the Spectator, and I quote, 'I've never heard of this guy.'... Hi, Julia, I'm Matthew Fox!" Fox's speech starts around the 40 minute mark.
Photograph via Just Jared
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I'M INTERESTED! Oh wait. . .
columbia's speakers have always been FOR SHIT. GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE.
I saw his speech and actually enjoyed it. I think he handled the controversy of him being the chosen speaker with class. He didn't drone on like some speakers I've heard before.
Who's Matthew Fox? I have absolutely no idea who he is or what show he's on.
You know, instead of always using terms like "rock star" and "TV star," you could always choose non-subjective descriptors like "musician" or "actor."
yeah he wasn't good but at least he was better than Jodie Foster rapping eminem's "Lose Yourself"- still cringing from that one.
Who's Matthew Fox? I have absolutely no idea who he is or what show he's on.
"I just came in here to tell you how much better than you I am because I don't sully myself with popular television. I shall now return to my indie movie DVDs"
Never heard of him before this moment...
never heard of him either...
lucky kids. he's so dreamy.
Screw him. Who's the hot chick over his left shoulder?
Who's the hot chick over his left shoulder?
The out of focus chick with her eyes closed?
I never watched "Lost" until it aired the catch-up-with-everything informercial--actually I didn't watch it for more than two episodes after that either--but Fox sounds like a pretty entertaining guy. Unless you're a a total status freak obsessed with getting the most prestigious speaker at your graduation ever, trust me, a good looking and humorous tv actor beats close to everyone. If Harvard could book Conan O'Brien to deliver its commencement address every single year until he died, trust me, they would, and he's a big pale red-headed dorky dude (Sorry Conan).
fantastic,
I only wish my college had chosen a speaker who would not be there but for the fact that he is attractive. Way to go Columbia!
anon, I believe the fact that he is an alumnus may have had something to do with his selection.
Not saying he should have been selected, per se, but I don't think his being attractive was the only factor.
let me explain further.. if he was not attractive, he would not be have that role in "Lost." (let's be realistic here, can we) He is there because he is a "famous actor." Therefore, if the guy was not attractive, chances point strongly to the fact that he wouldn't be there.
also anonymass, when someone says "but for" the fact, it means "without that fact." It does not mean that that is the sole factor.
matukonyc, first you say you have no idea who he is, then you suggest being less specific with descriptions? I'm confused.