Rankins-Robertson hopes the event will demonstrate to students who are members of marginalized communities that UCF is a welcoming space for them to share their stories. “We wholeheartedly believe there is nothing more powerful than a writer sharing their writing process, their culture and their journey.” I think that’s such a powerful thing for writing students,” Rankins-Robertson said. “Out of all the different roles he’s played, he’s choosing to come to UCF as a writer. Sherry Rankins-Robertson, the department’s chair, and Deborah Weaver, director of the University Writing Center, believe that Penn’s story embodies many of the department’s values. The free event is co-sponsored by the Department of Writing and Rhetoric, which emphasizes writing across professions and cultures as well as civic writing for social justice. Our cultural backgrounds and experiences should not be reduced or muted, but rather, celebrated and respected.” “Kal Penn’s journey reminds us that we all deserve to take up space – no matter who we are or where we come from. “As a student at UCF, a recognized Hispanic Serving Institution with an immensely diverse student population, this is an incredible opportunity to hear from someone who has broken barriers in the creative sphere,” Goiricelaya said. She believes hearing his success story will empower students like her. As the daughter of immigrants, she relates to the struggles Penn endured on his career path. He then took to politics to pave the way for others as an advocate for Asian Americans, the arts and young people across the nation.įor Emily Goiricelaya, a student writing consultant for the University Writing Center, Penn’s story hits home. However, he continued to pursue his dream and achieve tremendous success as an actor. Penn recalls in his memoir that as a college student, his decision to study theatre alienated him from other Indians in the community and he faced constant racial typecasting in early acting roles. Penn will read from his bestselling memoir You Can’t Be Serious, in which he humorously examines his life, from growing up as the son of Indian immigrants to his experiences working in Hollywood and with the Obama administration. Or maybe they know him as a political activist and former associate director for the White House Office of Public Engagement.īut after Penn’s visit to UCF, many students will leave knowing him as something else: a writer.Īn Evening with Kal Penn will be held in the Student Union’s Cape Florida Ballroom on Monday, Sept. Students may know Kalpen Modi, professionally known as Kal Penn, for his film and TV roles on House, Designated Survivor and the Harold and Kumar franchise.
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