Scranton Gives Royal Welcome to Brian Baumgartner
Hundreds of students attended a Q and A with Brian Baumgartner, who played Kevin Malone on “The Office” and is the author of the newly published book “Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office.” Hundreds more attended a book signing with Baumgartner, which was open to the public following the student Q and A.Scranton loves “The Office.”
Hundreds of students and residents endured long lines and rainy weather to have their copy of the newly published “Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office” signed by the book’s author and cast member Brian Baumgartner.
Prior to the book signing on the DeNaples Center patio, which was open to students and the general public, Baumgartner met exclusively with University of Scranton students for a Q and A session in the Moskovitz Theater.
At the student Q and A, University of Scranton President, Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., presented Baumgartner with an Honorary Certificate of Scrantology from the University, in recognition of “his extensive knowledge of all things Scranton acquired through his thorough research for the book.”
“Is it Ph.D.? Am I a doctor?” joked Baumgartner, who played Kevin Malone on The Office, when Father Marina presented the certificate to him in front of more than 250 students who attended the Q and A.
Prior to the Nov. 18 Q and A, Baumgartner met for interviews with University student Kelly Nee ’23, managing editor of the University’s student newspaper The Aquinas, and Frank Wilkes Lesnefsky ’17, a graduate of The University of Scranton who is now a reporter with the Scranton Times-Tribune.
The Student Q and A with Brian Baumgartner was moderated by Stephanie Adamec, director of the University’s Center for Health, Education and Wellness.
The Office, which originally aired on NBC from 2005 to 2013, was among the most popular shows on Netflix and can now be seen on Peacock. Baumgartner was among the cast members who visited the University for The Office Convention in 2007 and The Wrap Party in 2013. He was also on campus in 2020 for the taping of his popular podcast on the history of The Office, which was the precursor to his book.
Called “The definitive history of The Office” by E! News, “Welcome to Dunder Mifflin,” co-authored with Ben Silverman, the executive producer of The Office, is based on hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews with the actors, creators, writers, producers, directors, network executives and crew members of The Office, who share their favorite stories of the making of what became the most-watched series in the world. The book includes 100 behind-the-scenes photographs and a foreword written by the U.S. show’s creator Greg Daniels.
The book includes memories from Steve Carell, John Krasinkski, Jenna Fischer, Ricky Gervais, Rainn Wilson, Angela Kinsey, Craig Robinson, Brian Baumgartner, Phyllis Smith, Kate Flannery, Ed Helms, Oscar Nunez, Amy Ryan, Ellie Kemper, Creed Bratton, Paul Lieberstein and Mike Schur, among others.
“Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office” is published by Custom House. The book is available in the University’s bookstore.
