What's With All Of The Celebrities On Campus?

By Alyssa Marchal on April 27, 2015

Image Via enzabargains.com
Ketachem, Enza. “I Was Invited to A Press Junket in LA.” Enza’s Bargains. 1 July 2014.

In the past two weeks, U of I has had its fair share of celebrities. As if Jenna Marbles and Jason Segel in the same day wasn’t enough, their exciting visits were followed this week with Vice President Joe Biden, Jessica Szohr and a free concert on the quad by Timeflies and B.O.B.

This place must be really, really special. And, like I mentioned earlier, that’s just these past two weeks.

Though I am a huge fan of Jenna Marbles’ YouTube blogs, I did not make it to see her. However, I feel no shame in admitting I was on a manhunt for Jason Segel. “How I Met Your Mother” is my all-time favorite TV show.

YikYak unfortunately didn’t prove as helpful in spotting Segel as I would have liked it to. I didn’t get my selfie with him, but don’t worry, my story has a happy ending. I will get my selfie one day.

As this previous week rolled around, I began to hear word of Vice President, Joe Biden coming to campus. Though I at first assumed it was for political reasons, I soon learned it had nothing to do with that at all. Biden was so impressed with our support of the “It’s On Us” campaign that he felt he needed to come to Champaign-Urbana to congratulate and motivate us all even more.

In case you have not heard of it, the goal of “It’s On Us” is ultimately to end sexual assault. The Vice President himself has done a lot to protect and support victims of sexual assault, so he is very fond of the campaign. In learning about this, I decided to join over a thousand other “It’s On Us” supporters in hearing him speak, and I must say it was a truly great experience.

It started out with speeches from victims, two acapella groups and an exciting performance by the Marching Illini. Finally, Joe Biden made his way to the podium. And, to my surprise, he was accompanied by an actress from yet another one of my favorite television shows. Jessica Szohr, who plays Vanessa on “Gossip Girl,” was thirty feet away from me and so was the Vice President of the United States. I was so star struck.

Aside from their fame, they gave some wonderful and motivating speeches. We were congratulated, but still challenged to spread the word to end sexual assault even more. It made me feel we could really make a difference.

This all happened because the University of Illinois is the number one supporter of such a great cause. So, this school is in fact, really, really special.

After this, hearing about a free B.O.B. and Timeflies concert on the quad was just a bonus, but a very entertaining one at that. I was not able to attend due to prior obligations, but I did pass the quad while it was going on, and I came down with a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out). B.O.B. sounded amazing in person, and several of my friends looked like they were having a great time in their Snapchat stories.

This semester may be coming to an end, but we have had so many exciting opportunities thrown at us in these last weeks that students could really make the most of it.

P.S. If you would like to join in on the “It’s On Us” campaign and take the pledge to speak out against rape culture and sexual assault, go here.

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