Cosby visit an Honors hoax

Subtle hints at a guest appearance from Temple alum Bill Cosby went out in an e-mail on the evening of March 31.

Sent only to students enrolled in the Honors Program, the e-mail told students to stop by the Honors Lounge in the Tuttleman Learning Center around 4 p.m. The e-mail read, in part, “A notable Temple alum, our guest has a special fondness for quirky sweaters and may or may not enjoy a certain wiggly and jiggly, brightly colored dessert item.”

Soon after 4 p.m. Tuesday, however, it became clear that Cosby was not coming, primarily because one student noticed a mannequin in the corner with a picture of Cosby’s face taped to it.

Students already in the lounge were initially skeptical about the e-mail. Though the message made it clear that the “V.I.P. will not be hanging around for too long,” many students who received the e-mail decided to take their chances and check anyway.

“It would have been an interesting thing to see an actual celebrity who graduated from Temple here” said Raymond Kuehner, a freshman biology major.

Trabs Gould, a sophomore political science and journalism major, reacted with excitement to the e-mail and said he assumed it wasn’t a joke.

“He is a Temple alum after all,” Gould said.

The ringleader of the prank made her appearance shortly after the designated meeting time. Amanda Garcia, a sophomore involved in the Honors Program, said she conspired with a fellow student and sent out the e-mail.

“I thought it would be a funny April Fool’s joke” Garcia said.

Though Cosby wasn’t coming, Garcia did prepare two dishes of green Jell-O for the inquiring students who did take the time to come out.

The Honors Program frequently does hold events open to the entire university community that actually occur. They recently held a “Teacher Talk and Tea Time” which was an opportunity for students to get acquainted with their new professors. They also participate in community service events and will be hosting the upcoming Honors Ball.

Chelsea Helion, junior psychology major, issued an ultimatum to the Honors Progam and the university.

“I refuse to graduate until I meet ‘the Cos,’” she said.
Greg Adomaitis can be reached at greg.adomaitis@temple.edu.