While most students may only dream of meeting their favorite celebrity, Boston University’s Howard Thurman Center is giving select students the chance to sit down, have lunch and chat with big names, according to HTC officials.
Launching this fall, “Good Talk” will allow a select number of students to engage in “intimate conversations” with a notable figure in a particular field, said Raul Fernandez, HTC’s assistant director.
“The program is for students to connect one-on-one with people in their field that they would be excited to meet,” Fernandez said. “A few top students would be able to choose professionals who meet their interests. This is the complete opposite of a big lecture.”
Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore said the conversations will be shared through the Internet to open up discussion.
“What I like about these kinds of things is that they engage students in conversation,” Elmore said.
The HTC website describes “Good Talk” as an experience where students sit across from a high-profile icon who “inspires” them and discusses their paths to success.
With the concept of “Good Talk” becoming a reality, students said they are eager for this program to begin. Already, many students have said they plan to submit applications, which were released on Tuesday.
“Now that I know about it, I’d definitely apply once applications are released,” said Tori Gilbeau, a sophomore in the College of Communication.
Applications will be promoted on Twitter under @GoodTalkBU and they will be released through email, Fernandez said.
“Once applications are released, it’s going down,” said Victoria Wilson, a sophomore in the School of Management.
Eleven public figures have already signed up and more have agreed to participate, Fernandez said. Peter Stringer, the director of interactive media for the Boston Celtics and other BU alumni have been especially helpful in participating in the program.
“We are hearing back every week, and no one has said no to speaking with students,” Fernandez said. “We are asking them for an hour of their time, and to have this talk at their office.”
“Good Talk” includes not only guests from the Boston area, but also professionals from Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and London.
“This creates better networks throughout Boston and industries,” said Shashay Tadesse, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Although the lists of guests signed up for “Good Talk” continue to expand, some students said they have specific celebrities in mind.
“I would want to meet Maria Menounos, an entertainment news anchor, because of all people, she did pageants like me,” said Alexandra Desir, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore. “We have a common ground, and the best networking opportunities happen when we have a common ground.”
To meet these high-profile guests, BU students must go through a three-round interview process, Fernandez said. It is for anyone who has a great deal of interest in a certain career path. While that is how the system will work at first, change and expansion is always a possibility.
“It would be amazing to get a mentor out of this to give you that ambition,” Wilson said.
Fernandez said Howard Thurman Center is anticipating the idea to grow in the near future.
“We hope to do it again in the future when rosters grow,” he said. “I can’t wait to see this program blossom.”
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