An evening with Leslie David Baker

03/02/2021 

Who’s happier than the resident grouch on “The Office,” Stanley Hudson, on Pretzel Day?

Perhaps SUNY Cortland students who get to do a virtual question-and-answer session with Leslie David Baker, the actor best-known for playing Hudson, as part of Wellness Day festivities at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 8.

Baker will answer the burning questions that students have about his life and career. According to a survey by SUNY Cortland’s Student Activities Board (SAB), Baker was one of the most desired guests by current students.

During the Webex event, students will be able to use the chat function to communicate with each other. Questions for Baker will only be accepted in advance. The Student Activities Board asks that students not directly message Baker during the event.

Students may register for this event through Cortland Connect. Questions for Baker may be submitted through direct messages to SAB’s Instagram page, @cortlandsab, or by emailing SAB.

“We wanted to give the Wellness Day something fun to start off with,” said Sophia Hall, SAB’s comedy and lecture chair.

As with other SUNY campuses this year, it is not possible for the university to offer a spring break for students in order to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus.

SUNY Cortland instead is holding a campus-wide Wellness Day on Tuesday, March 9, with no scheduled classes or assignments due. Students are urged to take the day to relax and have fun but should do so safely and mindful of the university’s COVID-19 protocols for face coverings and avoiding large gatherings.

“We just wanted to give students something exciting to do, especially since there are a lot of students in quarantine and isolation,” said AnnaMaria Jacobson, SAB’s president and the Student Government Association’s director of student activities.

Before becoming a household name through “The Office” in 2005, Baker was a special education teacher. He has appeared in many films and television shows beyond “The Office,” including “Key & Peele,” “Still the King” and “Malcolm in the Middle.”

“I hope this event helps students become interested in running campus events and joining the Student Activities Board,” said Hall.

SAB will hold an “The Office” trivia night on Sunday, March 7 at 8 p.m. Students may RSVP through Cortland Connect.

For more information on Wellness Day events for Tuesday, March 9, view the events calendar on Cortland Connect and follow @cortlandnites on Instagram.

Prepared by Communications Office writing intern Chelsea Grate