Makers of The History of The Office Visited Campus
University of Scranton students were among those interviewed in January by NBC’s The Office cast member Brain Baumgartner (Kevin) for a History of The Office podcast airing on Spotify. From left, Conor Nealon, Adrianna Smith, Claire Sunday, Baumgartner, Eliza Phenneger and Abril Lopez.In January, NBC’s The Office cast member Brain Baumgartner (Kevin) stopped by The University of Scranton campus to speak to students, staff and alumni about the show’s connection to Scranton for a podcast airing on Spotify. The History of The Office, hosted by Baumgartner, chronicles the show from its origins to its continued popularity today on streaming services like Netflix.
In addition to interviews the show’s creators, cast members, writers and fans, Baumgartner interviewed organizers of The Office Convention and The Office Wrap Party, which took place on the University’s campus and other locations in the city. Scranton alumnus Tim Holmes ’88, along with area resident Michele Dempsey, were interviewed in the University’s Weinberg Memorial Library for the podcast. Scranton alumni Emily Holmes G’14 and Colin Holmes ’13 also participated.
Scranton staff members who helped to organized The Office Convention and The Office Wrap Party on campus also spoke to Baumgartner during the visit, including Randy Shemanski, associate director of athletics; Frani Mancuso ’93, executive director of conferences and event services; Stan Zygmunt ’84, G’95, director of news and media relations; Shannon Murphy Fennie ’99, assistant dean of students; and Michael Ritterbeck ’09, director of the Center for Student Engagement, who was a University student volunteer for the Office Convention.
Scranton students who were fans of The Office were also interviewed, including Virginia Farrell, Scranton; Abril Lopez, Scranton; Makenzie Mason, Doylestown; Conor Nealon, Duryea; Eliza Phenneger, Center Valley; Adrianna Smith, Covington Township; Claire Sunday, South Abington Township; and Lily Warhaftig, New York, New York.
The Office cast member Brian Baumgartner, looks at a front-page Times-Tribune image from 2007 of then University of Scranton student Michael Ritterbeck ’09 (middle), director of the Center for Student Engagement, who was a University student volunteer for the Office Convention. He was among those participating in a January 2020 visit to Scranton by Baumgartner for taping interviews for The History of The Office podcast on Spotify. Far right is Shannon Murphy Fennie ’99, assistant dean of students, who was among those helping to organize University student volunteers for The Office Convention and The Office Wrap Party.
