Trillin helps UMKC celebrate 75 years
David Cordill
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: News
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Trillin, who graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City, Mo. in 1953, was the featured guest speaker Friday evening in Pierson Auditorium.
Trillin, famed for his satirical wit and his prominence as a columnist for noted publications such as The Nation and Time magazine, deadpanned and jested through an hour-long speech. He was then joined on stage by UMKC Curator's Professor of Theatre Felicia Londré to answer previously submitted questions from the audience.
Covering an array of topics ranging from politics to poetry, Trillin's anecdotes were exemplified by a particular story involving attending a high school reunion some years ago.
"When I came back," Trillin said before the packed auditorium, "people asked if it was sort of depressing to meet the people who thought they'd be running things and aren't. I said no, what was depressing was meeting the people who are running things because I know these people, and I don't know how they got through Language 101."
Afterward, the proceedings transformed into chat format when Trillin sat down with Londré. A well-known barbecue aficionado, Trillin responded to cuisine queries from the audience before Londré had the opportunity to ask.
"The answer to first question is that I had lunch at LC's," quipped Trillin, who had dined at the Kansas City pulled pork and rib establishment earlier in the day.
Following the program, Londré admitted to being a bit nervous about appearing with Trillin during their segment. She said her fears quickly dissipated once their discussion began.
"He is so naturally funny, I didn't have to do anything," Londré said shortly after the event. "Whatever I said, he was going to come up with something brilliant."
During a pre-show reception at Miller Nichols Library, Trillin was asked if delivering a speech at UMKC held any personal significance for himself because of his local roots.
"It's always nice to come home," Trillin said. "I didn't go [to UMKC] but I was always aware of it, although I'm so old that it was called the University of Kansas City when I was a boy."
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