MCC President Phil Sisson Interviews Kal Penn for Fall Fundraiser

At Middlesex Community College’s Fall 2022 Celebrity Forum, Kal Penn – actor, author and former Principal Associate Editor in the White House Office of Public Engagement – charmed audience members at Cary Hall in Lexington. Hosted by the Middlesex Community College Foundation, Penn sat down with Middlesex President Phil Sisson on December 14 to raise funds for student scholarships.

“This event is a critical source of support for our mission of providing affordable access to a high-quality education for our diverse community of learners,” President Sisson said in his welcome address. “We cannot build a successful open access institution without the help of generous donors and community partners, and we greatly appreciate those committed sponsors in the audience who have supported us by sponsoring the forum for so many years.”

“Education transforms lives, and it is through the generosity of our donors and community partners that the MCC Foundation is able to assist so many Middlesex students in pursuing their dreams,” said Judy Burke, MCC’s Executive Director of Advancement. “This year’s Celebrity Forum presented us with the opportunity to thank our sponsors for their continued commitment and support, as well as to share an evening of laughter, learning and conversation with the multi-talented Kal Penn!”

Connor Triehy is a Middlesex Psychology student from Gloucester. In Fall 2022, Triehy received the MCC Foundation’s Ely Kumler Scholarship, created for students with an interest in history and research in honor of MCC alum Ely Kumler.

“Attending the Celebrity Forum – especially as a representative of an MCC Foundation award beneficiary – was an honor,” Triehy said. “It is important for the MCC Foundation’s community partners to see how their support impacts the lives of students in such a positive way. Kal Penn was a fantastic speaker, and I enjoyed the whole experience immensely.”

Speaking on his acting and political careers, childhood, and educational experiences, Penn referenced his work under the Obama administration, as well as stories from his book “You Can’t Be Serious” released on November 2, 2021 from Simon and Schuster/Gallery Books.

Penn is known for his starring roles in “Designated Survivor,” “House,” “The Namesake,” the “Harold & Kumar” franchise, and the patriotic immigration sitcom “Sunnyside.” From 2009 to 2011, Penn served as the Obama/Biden administration’s President’s Liaison to Young Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the Arts community. He was a national co-chair for the Obama/Biden re-election campaign in 2012 and was a term member at the Council on Foreign Relations.

“We were thrilled to welcome Kal Penn and host another successful event in the name of student scholarships,” said Sherri McCormack, MCC’s Dean of Advancement. “In addition to raising much needed funds, Celebrity Forum allows the college, students, alumni and our community partners to come together and learn more about the impact MCC has on people’s lives.”