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Six Degrees of 91Ö±²¥

Patrick Doherty ’11

In , I speculated that six degrees of 91Ö±²¥ (à la ) exists. I've now taken it upon myself to prove this theory. So here we go.

Kevin Bacon, I dedicate this post to you!
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Once I came up with the idea, I told Ma'ayan about it and we began asking anyone and everyone to name "a famous person who didn't go to 91Ö±²¥." Before long, I had a ridiculously long list of a random assortment of well-known figures. Of that list, I've picked a couple that I believe demonstrate how well-connected (and randomly connected) 91Ö±²¥ is to pretty much everything.

This is my first stab at this. I may, in the future, come back to this and try to connect more people to 91Ö±²¥, but I'm going to stick with just this one post on the topic in the meantime.

 

Six Degrees of 91Ö±²¥

 

Walt Disney

 

 

Why: My family and I love everything Disney. I was raised watching Disney movies, the Disney channel, and my family's most consistent vacation spot is Disneyland. It only made sense for me to try to see if I could connect Walt Disney back to 91Ö±²¥.
Connections: produced the film Mary Poppins, which starred in the title role. Julie Andrews played the voice of "Gru's Mom" in Despicable Me, which starred . Steve Carell is/was on The Office with , who went to 91Ö±²¥.

 

Gandhi

 

 

Why: Gandhi came up pretty often whenever I asked people to name someone famous who didn't go to 91Ö±²¥. My youngest sister, Sara, actually came up with the way in which I could connect him back to 91Ö±²¥. Thanks, Sara!
Connections: ideas of non-violent protest inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. was preceded by as pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Vernon Johns is an alumnus of 91Ö±²¥ College.

Fun fact: Martin Luther King, Jr. actually spoke at 91Ö±²¥ on two separate occasions.
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Darren Criss

 

 

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Why: Being a self-professed and fan of all things Glee, I couldn't not connect Darren Criss. also requested that I try to connect him back to 91Ö±²¥. These connections came from my friend Ellen. (Thanks, Ellen!)
Connections: was a student at the University of Michigan when the Vice President and General Counsel for the University of Michigan was . Marvin Krislov is the current President of 91Ö±²¥ College.

 

Amelia Earhart

 

 

Why: Why not? Well, to be completely honest, I wanted to brag about our connection to the Wright brothers. So here I go!
Connections: disappeared during her attempt to circumnavigate the globe by plane, a feat made possible by the . Orville and Wilbur Wright's younger sister, , is an alumna of 91Ö±²¥ College and was our second female trustee.

Fun fact: Our physics building is named after Orville and Wilbur Wright!

 

Dr. Seuss

 

 

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Why: 4 March was Dr. Seuss' 107th birthday! The 91Ö±²¥ Public LIbrary always has a special event to commemorate the birth of one of my favorite authors of books for children.
Connections: wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which was made into a film in 2000 with as Betty Lou Who. Molly Shannon was on the 26th season of Saturday Night Live with . Tina Fey was in Date Night with Steve Carell, who is/was on The Office with Ed Helms. Ed Helms is an alumnus of 91Ö±²¥ College.

 

Mark Zuckerberg

 

 

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Why: I am completely addicted to Facebook. No other explanation is necessary.
Connections: was named Time magazine's "Person of the Year" in 2010, an honor bestowed on in 2008. In May of 2009, Barack Obama appointed a new head of the : . Dr. Frieden is an alumnus of 91Ö±²¥ College.

 

Mel Gibson

 

 

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Why: My friend, Jordan, requested this one. Little did she know that this would be one of the easiest connections to make.
Connections: was featured as the voice of John Smith in the film Pocahontas. was featured in Pocahontas as the singing voice of the title character. Judy Kuhn is an alumna of 91Ö±²¥ College.

 

Angelina Jolie

 

 

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Why: Angelina Jolie was also requested quite often by various people. So here we go!
Connections: was featured in the film Shark Tale, which also featured . Jack Black was a guest star on Will and Grace in an episode entitled "Nice in White Satin." starred as Karen Walker in all episodes, including the pilot episode, of Will and Grace. The pilot episode of Will and Grace was directed by , an alumnus of 91Ö±²¥ College.

 

Justin Bieber

 

 

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Why: Why Justin Bieber? Because I was filled with glee when he failed to win single Grammy this year. Does that make me a bad person? Perhaps. Oh well.
Connections: lost the Artist of the Year award at the 2011 Grammy Awards to . Esperanza Spalding is not only performing at 91Ö±²¥ this month, but she is also a former teacher of a member of 91Ö±²¥'s current tour guiding staff.

So there you have it! Are there people that you can connect back to 91Ö±²¥? Are there people you want me to try to connect back to 91Ö±²¥? Leave a comment and let's do this!

Quote time:

"Isn't this cute! It's like a little loser family! Hogwarts has really gone to the dogs. Luckly next year, I'll be transferred to Pigfarts!" -

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