Dean's Letter
Letter from the Dean
Dear Class of 2024,
“Ideas live forever. Humans not so much.”
- Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, in Barbie (2023)
These fictitious lines were written by filmmaking partners Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach for their record-breaking film of last year—Barbie. The character of Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman), the Polish/Jewish creator of the Barbie doll, utters them after Barbie (Margot Robbie) wonders aloud, “I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do now?”
Inside Barbieland, Greta Gerwig found a way to conquer patriarchy with humor and without high heels. In real life, Barbie’s inventor, Handler, pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion and was forced to resign from Mattel, her successful toy company, that boomed after Barbie and Ken. (There is a joke in Barbie about tax evasion.)
No matter what you think about Barbie and Ken or their fallible creator, critical ideas, compelling screenplays and your hard-earned college degrees should indeed live forever. The School of Communication wishes you hearty congratulations for finishing up in style.
We look forward to imagining big ideas with you and your loved ones in May.
Elizabeth Coffmann, PhD
Letter from the Dean
Dear Class of 2024,
“Ideas live forever. Humans not so much.”
- Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, in Barbie (2023)
These fictitious lines were written by filmmaking partners Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach for their record-breaking film of last year—Barbie. The character of Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman), the Polish/Jewish creator of the Barbie doll, utters them after Barbie (Margot Robbie) wonders aloud, “I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do now?”
Inside Barbieland, Greta Gerwig found a way to conquer patriarchy with humor and without high heels. In real life, Barbie’s inventor, Handler, pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion and was forced to resign from Mattel, her successful toy company, that boomed after Barbie and Ken. (There is a joke in Barbie about tax evasion.)
No matter what you think about Barbie and Ken or their fallible creator, critical ideas, compelling screenplays and your hard-earned college degrees should indeed live forever. The School of Communication wishes you hearty congratulations for finishing up in style.
We look forward to imagining big ideas with you and your loved ones in May.
Elizabeth Coffmann, PhD