Gross to talk in person

Jackson Reeves Staff Writer

Terry Gross, Host of National Public Radio’s Peabody Award-winning talk show “Fresh Air,” will finally come to campus Oct. 4 after being unable to deliver the Class of 2007 Commencement Address in person.

Gross will discuss her show, which she has hosted and co-executive produced since 1985, and her journalistic style. She will conclude by answering questions and signing copies of her book of favorite interviews, All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians and Artists.
The Boston Phoenix called Gross “the best cultural interviewer in America, and one of the best all-around interviewers, period.”

The award-winning radio personality was scheduled to deliver the Class of 2007 Commencement address, but could not make it due to a personal matter. She instead recorded her address, which then played as if it were coming from an old radio set.

“Just having her voice be there made sense because she’s a radio personality; she is a voice,” said Assistant to the President John Feroe, who helped select Gross for the 2007 address. Though it was unfortunate that Gross could not be present, “people listened with the same kind of rapt attention that they listen to any other commencement addresses,” he said.

Gross is renowned for obtaining otherwise well-guarded information from her interviewees. “What puts someone on guard isn’t necessarily the fear of being ‘found out.’ It sometimes is just the fear of being misunderstood,” she said on NPR’s Web site.

Gross arranged to visit Vassar this fall as a continuation and completion of her commencement address.

“I would think that [students] would be curious to actually see in person the voice that they heard at commencement,” said Feroe.

Gross’s lecture will be held on Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. on the second floor of the Students’ Building.