Distinguished Speaker Series

The Binghamton University Distinguished Speaker Series Welcomes Rainn Wilson - April 3

Binghamton University Distinguished Speaker Series is pleased to announce "A conversation with Rainn Wilson" coming April 3 to the Anderson Center. Paid for with funds from the Campus Life Fee. Co-sponsored by the Student Association Programming Board.
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Rainn Wilson is an Emmy-nominated and SAG award-winning actor best known for playing the inimitable “Dwight Schrute” for nine seasons on NBC’s The Office. He recently wrapped Lessons in Chemistry with Brie Larson for Apple TV+ and the unscripted travel series Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, which aired on Peacock in May of 2023.

Rainn Wilson

He stars in Jerry & Marge Go Large, with Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening; Utopia for Amazon; Roger Michell's Blackbird, opposite Kate Winslet; The Meg alongside Jason Statham; Star Trek: Discovery; Hesher, opposite Natalie Portman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt; James Gunn’s Super, with Kevin Bacon and Elliot Page; Cooties opposite Elijah Wood; Juno; Galaxy Quest; and Almost Famous.

He has an MFA from NYU’s Graduate Acting Program at the Tisch School of the Arts and spent 10 years doing theatre in NYC before moving to LA. He was on Broadway in The Tempest with Patrick Stewart, and the Tony nominated London Assurance. Rainn performed the critically acclaimed one-person monologue Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) at The Geffen; and was the lead role in the political farce The Doppelganger at Steppenwolf Theater.

Rainn founded the digital media company, Soul Pancake (3.5 mil subscribers on YouTube). He is the author of The Bassoon King and the NYT bestselling SoulPancake: Chew on Life’s Big Questions. His newest book — another NYT best-seller — Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution, was released in April 2023


Goals of the Speaker Committee:

  • To bring together a committee of faculty, staff and students who will choose speakers and special events for campus utilizing funds from the Campus Life Fee.
  • To discern if there is a theme that can be chosen to highlight the importance of any speakers and special events brought to campus.
  • To determine if there will be one special event for the academic year or a small series of events.
  • To provide events that are free or low cost to students while inviting community, alumni and others to participate as allowable.

Mission Statement for the Series: 

The Binghamton University Distinguished Speaker Series is a cross-disciplinary series which features cutting-edge speakers and special events designed to inform, engage and inspire our University community. 

This series brings prominent speakers to campus for thought-provoking conversations around an annual theme. Chosen by a panel of students, faculty and staff themes will reflect the University Values.

Values of the Series:

Unity

We are an inclusive community made of people from diverse backgrounds who come together to learn, discover and serve. We have developed a common bond - the Binghamton bond - that will be ours for a lifetime.

Identity

We are an academically selective community that shares ideas across departments, disciplines and borders. We encourage faculty, students and staff to ask unexpected questions, foster open dialogue and develop innovative solutions to important problems.

Excellence

In all endeavors we choose, we will compete with the best universities; transforming lives and impacting our world. We pursue our goals with determination and strive for intellectual and personal growth.