When Syracuse University officials announced award-winning screenwriter and producer Aaron Sorkin would be the 2012 commencement speaker, many in the SU community reacted with enthusiasm. Since graduating from SU in 1983, Sorkin has written a handful of shows and films, including ‘A Few Good Men,’ ‘The West Wing,’ ‘The Social Network’ and most recently, a new HBO series called ‘The Newsroom.’ The Daily Orange asked Sorkin to share some thoughts about his work and SU.
The Daily Orange: Students are extremely excited to hear you speak. What excites you about coming back to SU?
Aaron Sorkin: I really enjoy speaking to students, especially SU students, and it’s an incredible honor being asked to deliver the commencement address.
List the top three things you miss about SU.
AS: I can’t wait to go to Varsity Pizza – I just hope they haven’t changed their recipe since I graduated. I miss the sight of Crouse College, but mostly, I miss the students and the whole university environment.
What’s your favorite screenplay that you’ve written? Any you would change?
AS: Looking at my movies feels a little like looking at my high school yearbook picture. My first play and my first movie was ‘A Few Good Men.’ I was a kid when I wrote them and I think I could do better this time.
What is something you learned at SU that has influenced you throughout your career?
AS: I can draw a straight line from so many things I do in my work that I learned from my professors at Syracuse. I learned what I wanted to do, and I learned how to do it.
If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
AS: I’d like to go back in time and meet myself when I was 18. I’d say, ‘This is the opportunity of a lifetime – try not being stupid for four years. Also, ask out Lisa McCord.’
mainthia@syr.edu