GREENCASTLE, IN - DePauw University commencement speaker Kal Penn, with experience at White Castle and the White House on his resume, told the Class of 2014 to stop worrying so much about fame and fortune and being an immediate success. Penn, a film and television actor known for his roles as Kumar in the “Harold and Kumar” movies and Dr. Lawrence Kutner on “House,”
told the Class of 2014 that he spent six years getting “really bitter” in trying to break into Hollywood as an actor. He spent that time getting coffee for people, making copies, running simple errands and being the quintessential gofer — not something he thought worthy of his intellect and college degree. Featured speaker for DePauw University’s 175th commencement Sunday morning, actor and activist Kal Penn addresses 506 members of the Class of 2014 and their families and friends at Holten Memorial Quadrangle. [Order this photo] “Now I look back at those years in terrible apartments, working odd jobs, and I realize I learned a lot,” Penn said, adding that in retrospect, it was not just a big waste of time. Consequently Penn urged the graduating seniors to “remember to be kind and smile and continue to learn,” the Greencastle Banner reported. “Things will sometimes be unfair,” he cautioned, reminding them that fame and status “are not a profession.” Happiness can come from something other than financial stability, he stressed, noting however that such a concept may be difficult for friends and family — particularly parents — to understand. “Be motivated,” urged Penn who served as Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement before returning to acting recently, “but don’t worry unnecessarily. And try to understand the difference between those two things.” He told the graduates to “turn off cable news, the world isn’t falling apart,” and break from their mold.
“Talk with people who disagree with you,” he suggested. “Date someone who doesn’t think like you. Watch only ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ for your news.” “Try not to let your work be an excuse for missing the things that really matter,” he offered, telling the DePauw seniors, “you will be tested.” He also told them not to forget “to do good things.”
“Go to weddings,” Penn said, “even if your grandfather doesn’t understand how your fraternity brother is getting a husband.”
“Talk with people who disagree with you,” he suggested. “Date someone who doesn’t think like you. Watch only ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ for your news.” “Try not to let your work be an excuse for missing the things that really matter,” he offered, telling the DePauw seniors, “you will be tested.” He also told them not to forget “to do good things.”
“Go to weddings,” Penn said, “even if your grandfather doesn’t understand how your fraternity brother is getting a husband.”
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