Published on September 15, 2014 by Mary Wimberley  

Samford University alumnus and Emmy Award winner Tony Hale will return to his alma mater for several homecoming-related events Saturday, Nov. 1.

The 1992 Samford journalism and mass communication graduate will be the guest of honor at a VIP reception at 6 p.m. Hale will later discuss his acting career and his newly published book at a 7:30 p.m. program. Both events are on campus and open to the public. Tickets are on sale now.

“It’s always a blast returning to Samford and seeing old friends,” said Hale. “I’m really looking forward to sharing some of my experiences as well as my new book.  It’s been quite a journey!”

Hale won television’s 2013 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance as Gary Walsh in the HBO comedy, VEEP.  His performance as the personal aide to the vice president of the United States, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, won him a nomination for the same award in 2014.

A 1995 graduate of Regent University’s School of Communication and the Arts, Hale first gained widespread acclaim for his role as Buster Bluth in the Fox comedy series Arrested Development (2003-2006). He is married to Emmy Award-winning make-up artist Martel Thompson, who is originally from Anniston, Ala.  They have a daughter, Loy.

His most recent career news concerns the summer release of his first book, Archibald’s Next Big Thing (Boxing Clever Publishing). The children’s book cleverly and entertainingly tells the story of an unfocused young chicken whose extraordinary adventure teaches him the value of mindfulness.

While at Samford for homecoming, Hale will be inducted into the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Wall of Fame during an 11:15 a.m. ceremony in Bolding Studio. 

His evening schedule shapes up like this:

6 p.m.  VIP Reception in Hazel P. Boren Courtyard for photo session with guests. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served and copies of Archibald’s Next Big Thing will be available for purchase. The $35 ticket also includes general admission to the “Evening with Tony Hale” program that follows the reception.

7:30 p.m.  An Evening with Tony Hale in Brock Recital Hall will feature the actor sharing in a spontaneous interview format. Following the talk, audience members can meet Hale at a book signing. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Tickets for this event only are $15.

For information, contact the Samford Office of Alumni Programs and Annual Giving at sualumni@samford.edu or 205-726-4628.

The complete schedule of events for Homecoming 2014 can be found here.

 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.