Scranton loves “The Office.”
Hundreds of students and residents endured long lines and rainy weather in November 2021 to have their copy of Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office signed by the book’s author and cast member Brian Baumgartner.
Prior to the book signing on the DeNaples Center patio, which was open to students and the public, Baumgartner met exclusively with University students for a Q and A session in the Moskovitz Theater.
At the student Q&A, Joseph Marina, S.J., University president, presented Baumgartner with an Honorary Certificate of Scrantology from the University, in recognition of “his extensive knowledge of all things Scranton acquired through his thorough research for the book.”
“Is it Ph.D.? Am I a doctor?” joked Baumgartner, who played Kevin Malone on “The Office,” when Father Marina presented the certificate to him in front of more than 250 students who attended the Q & A.
“The Office,” which originally aired on NBC from 2005 to 2013, was among the most popular shows on Netflix and can now be seen on Peacock. Baumgartner was among the cast members who visited the University for “The Office” Convention in 2007 and The Wrap Party in 2013. He was also on campus in 2020 for the taping of his popular podcast on the history of “The Office,” which was the precursor to his book.