On Nov.14, 2023 Winona State University hosted A Conversation with Nick Offerman in McCown Gym though the Duran Family Speaker Series. The event was originally scheduled for November 12th, but due to high demand, it was rescheduled and moved to a larger venue.

“We had a nice response,” George Micalone, Director of the Student Union & Activities and member of the Lycium committee said. “The room was full.”

Dr. Alan Dunbar, Associate Professor of Voice at WSU interviewed Offerman. He asked many questions, ranging from inquiries about Offerman’s book, acting career, woodworking, and a speed round of Would You Rather.

There was a screen behind Offerman and Dunbar, where their interview was projected on a larger scale, along with images of Offerman in his well-known role as Ron Swanson, information about Offerman’s book, and an AI generated picture of Offerman holding a wooden carving of his own head.

“That’s not me,” Offerman said.

At the beginning of the event, attendees were able to buy a copy of Offerman’s fourth and most recent book, “Where the Deer and the Antelope Play.” After the Q&A was finished, people were able to get their books signed by Offerman and chat with him.

“I liked how he answered the questions earnestly while keeping it light and fun,” Megan Johnson, student at WSU and event attendee said. “It was also really cool to have someone from the Midwest talk about how he uses his roots in his work on tv and in his personal endeavors.”

The event was a smash hit and another success in the book for the Duran Family Speaker Series. Their next event is going to be announced this January.

“The Warrior Entertainment Network is pursuing the [next] speaker with the Lyceum Committee,” Micalone said.

The Duran Family Speaker Series, formerly named the Lyceum Series, has held many popular events for the community, the most popular being Bill Nye. In the early days of the Duran Series, they hosted Maya Angelou.

Students are even able to get involved in making the Duran Series events happen. They can email George Micalone, [email protected] to inquire more about the Lyceum Committee.

To end the event, Offerman offered some words of advice for college students:

“No matter what, as you’re trying to discern your path […] the thing you’ll always remember will not be the material goods or the numbers in your bank account nearly as much as whether or not you were kind to people. And so, I thank you all for being kind to me this evening.”