Syracuse Sun

Syracuse native Tom Kenny, known for voicing the character "SpongeBob SquarePants," is scheduled to visit Syracuse University on Tuesday, February 11. During his visit, Kenny will discuss building a creative career and share insights from his journey in the film, animation, and music industries.

Kenny will engage with students involved in the Intelligence++ program and the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education (InclusiveU) in an informal discussion about how neurodiversity can be a creative advantage. He will also address the wider campus community, sharing experiences from his upbringing in Syracuse and his path to connecting with fellow creatives.

An award-winning voice actor, Kenny has contributed to HBO's "Mr. Show with Bob and David" and voiced characters in animated series such as "Rocko's Modern Life," "The Powerpuff Girls," and "CatDog." He aims to inspire students by discussing skills needed for an entrepreneurial journey and finding one's own creative voice.

The day's schedule includes:

- 9:30-10:45 a.m.: A visit with Intelligence++ Class and InclusiveU students at Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, Bird Library. Media interested in attending should contact media@syr.edu.

- 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: An informal discussion and Q&A open to the campus community and media on "Creative Entrepreneurial Journey," featuring Tom Kenny. The session will be moderated by Oscar Arce, founder of Master Talent Agency, and Paul Kozlowski, writer, actor, artist, comedian, and founder of FAKE Gallery in Hollywood and AKE Gallery in Cortland, New York. This event will take place at Martin J. Whitman School of Management Grand Flaum Hall.

The visit is sponsored by Syracuse University Libraries, the Intelligence++ Program, the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education (InclusiveU), and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.