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Actor Matthew Fox, CC ‘89, will speak at this May’s Columbia College Class Day, Columbia College Dean Austin Quigley announced today. Fox, who plays Dr. Jack Shephard on ABC’s Lost and formerly played Charlie Salinger on Party of Five, follows in the footsteps of Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., Robert Kraft, CC ‘63 and owner of the New England Patriots, and playwright Tony Kushner, CC ‘78, who have spoken at the last three Columbia College Class Days. All Class Day speakers must be in some way affiliated with the Columbia College community, meaning that alumni, faculty, or family of students are all eligible to speak. Senior class president David Chait said that Fox was selected for his achievements as an actor, his commitment to Columbia, and his ability to represent the diverse group of students who graduate from Columbia. “He’ll be able to give a speech that isn’t just about me, me Matthew Fox, but also about the Columbia experience,” Chait said in an interview before the announcement. “I’ve heard wonderful things about him and it appears to be a perfect match.” Last year’s speech by McCain set off protests, as students passed out 100 umbrellas and 800 buttons which read “McCain does not speak for me.” While Chait said that the selection committee went into this year’s selection process with an “open mind,” in retrospect, they were collectively “happy” that this year’s speaker is not likely to spark similar division within the class. But the committee may have traded contention for confusion and anger. One senior leaving the announcement said, “This sucks,” while another one said, “They obviously couldn’t find anybody. He had to be 29th on the list.” Immediately after Quigley made the announcement, many could be heard muttering about the identity of the alumnus, a confusion that only partially subsided after Quigley played a slideshow of Fox’s photos over the a rendition of The Final Countdown. “I’ve never heard of this guy. The years before got a Pulitzer Prize-winner and a potential presidential candidate,” Julia Kite, CC ‘07, said. “I suppose that after what happened last year, they wanted someone less controversial.” “It’s awesome, really awesome. Better than McCain,” Anna Politzer, CC ‘07, said. During his time at the Columbia, Fox, who holds a B.A. in economics, was a wide receiver on the Lions’ varsity football team. During his senior year, he played in the game where Columbia broke the University’s record-setting 44-game losing streak. According to Chait, he was also a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. “Football taught me a lot about life,” Fox was quoted as saying in an official University press release. “Playing at Columbia University, I felt I was part of the solution. Learning to get up and move on even in the face of adversity. My experiences at Columbia have taught me to believe in myself when other people don’t and persevere no matter the challenge” According to Chait, the 15-person selection committee comprised of members of the senior class council evaluated a number of candidates before settling on Fox. “We went through a list of pretty much every living alumnus who has done anything in their life ? from politicians to writers to people who have been successful in business,” he said. Before he made the announcement, Quigley waxed nostalgic about the assembled seniors who are set to graduate in 72 days. “It doesn’t get much better than being a member of the Columbia College class of 2007,” Quigley said. “There aren’t many groups with your set of talents and abilities. … For all of us, it’s just been great to have you around here.” This year’s speech will be held on Tuesday, May 15, a day before University-wide commencement. Source: columbiaspectator.com |
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