Actor Matthew Fox to Speak at CC Class Day

Seniors React to Announcement With Confusion, Dissatisfaction
By: Josh Hirschland

Posted: 3/7/07

Columbia College Dean Austin Quigley announced on Monday that actor Matthew Fox, CC '89, will speak at this May's Class Day, sparking outrage among many seniors who expressed disappointment in the choice.

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 Class Days.

All Class Day speakers must be affiliated with Columbia College in some way, meaning that alumni, faculty, or family of students are all eligible to speak. David Chait, CC senior class president, 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."

Chait said that while the selection committee went into this year's selection process with an "open mind," it was collectively "happy" that this year's speaker is not likely to spark divisions within the class. Some students protested McCain's speech last year by passing out 100 umbrellas and 800 buttons that read, "McCain does not speak for me."

But the committee may have traded contention for confusion and dissatisfaction. 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 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."

Not all were displeased with the announcement.

"It's awesome, really awesome. Better than McCain," Anna Politzer, CC '07, said.

Chait added that he is working to make the criticism "constructive" by relaying complaints about the choice-and specifically about the rule stating that only members of the "Columbia College family" can be invited to speak-to administrators.

During his time at 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 in which 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.

The 15-person selection committee, comprised of members of the senior class council, evaluated a number of candidates before settling on Fox, according to Chait. "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, the day before University-wide commencement.

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