You Stay Classy, #USCGrads
Will Ferrell as Commencement Speaker is the Best Thing To Happen to USC’s Class of 2017
By Grace Carballo ‘17
Between you and me, I’ve had a pretty rough day. This morning my laptop refused to turn on and since then, I’ve been rather bitter. (Please learn from my mistakes and back up your computers!) Also, s/o to the Laptop Loaner Program for enabling me to write this post.
There’s one person who is getting me through these dark and stress-filled times. No, not my mom. Although she’s a constant source of comfort. It’s John William “Will” Ferrell.
With Springfest shut down before the headliners and the USC administration forcing Lil Bill’s Bike Shop to move off campus, many USC students, myself included, have been feeling disappointed and frustrated as of late. (Sign the petition to show how much Lil Bill and his shop mean to this campus)!
There’s one person who won’t let us down, one person who will always be our ‘Buddy,’ one person willing to be our Anchor(man) when our metaphorical ship veers off course.
and that person is Will Ferrell : USC’s 2017 commencement speaker!
My only regret at USC is not graduating in 1990 alongside him. Will and I could have been acquaintances and maybe even friends if fate smiled upon me. Maybe I would have lent him a blue book before a midterm if he forgot one and he would have thanked me profusely.
The guy is talented, obviously. In fact, he’s probably added a good 4-5 years to my life (since laughter is the best medicine). But he’s more than that.
As you probably know Will Ferrell is a USC alum, and one of the most talented and beloved members of the Trojan Family. But there’s a lot you may not know about Will’s early days. And unless you were one of his lucky peers who got to learn alongside him at our beloved university, you may be curious to know a bit more.
So, without further ado, here are some facts you should know about Will Ferrell to get pumped for his Commencement Address, which just might be the highlight of my undergraduate career.
17 Fast Facts about USC’s 2017 Commencement Speaker, Will Ferrell
1) In high school, Will Ferrell won the “Best Personality” senior superlative. If senior superlatives were a thing at USC, I’m sure he would have won here, as well. He seems very pleasant to be around.
2) Will Ferrell joined USC’s Delta Tau Delta fraternity. You can check out his composite photo at DTD’s parties!
3) According to online bios of Will Ferrell which may or may not be credible (can’t trust everything you read these days), he and some of his fraternity brothers would streak on campus. Fake news? Or amazing 90s throwback?
4) At USC, Will would also dress up in a custodian’s uniform and drop by friends’ lectures. I would probably pee my pants if Will Ferrell casually interrupted a class to mop the floor and clean the dry erase boards.
5) He graduated with his BA in Sports Management from USC Annenberg School of Communication in 1990.
6) Will’s first job out of USC was as a hotel valet. This fact is particularly comforting to me as my post-grad plans are currently “watching the newest season of Game of Thrones”.
7) At this valet job, he tried to drive under a low-lying and knocked the baggage rack off of the van he was driving. Even the BEST fall down sometimes.
8) Shortly after, Will worked as a teller at Wells Fargo, but made a few mistakes and came up short his first few days. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again!
9) But fortunately (for Will and for society), he auditioned for the LA comedy group, The Groundlings, got a spot, and started working on the improv skills the world would soon grow to know and to love.
10) Will Ferrell was a key cast member of Saturday Night Live for seven glorious seasons and will forever be remembered for his impressions of President George W. Bush.
11) This isn’t Will’s first commencement speech/rodeo- he delivered the commencement address at Harvard University in 2003.
12) Will Ferrell is USC’s pride and joy, not only because he is chock full of comedic gold (and cardinal?) but also because he gives back! He participated in “Swim With Mike” to raise money for the Physically Challenged Athletes Fund. The 37th Annual Swim With Mike at the University of Southern was actually last Saturday, April 8.
13) He also hosted the 75th Anniversary Gala for USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.
14) Will Ferrell was a guest drum major in the Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe, the Trojan Marching Band!
15) He also supports Cancer for College, a philanthropy which awards college scholarships to cancer survivors. Will’s on both the Advisory Board and the Executive Board, a philanthropist and a socialite!
16) In 2011, Ferrell won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, a huge honor with past recipients including Carol Burnett and Neil Simon.
17) And last, but certainly NOT least, Will Ferrell founded the award-winning website Funny or Die, with his longtime collaborator Adam McKay. The site averages more than 20 million visitors per month and you probably know a few Trojan pals who have worked one of the coveted internships there.
Clearly, I’m excited about Commencement and I hope you are, too! Maybe one day someone from the Class of 2017 will return for the huge honor of delivering the address.
Just a few more weeks until the big day! You stay classy, #USCGrads!
Fight on forever,
Grace Carballo ‘17
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