A lead voice actor from the Disney movie “Big Hero 6” will speak at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Friday night.
The Asian American Student Union is hosting Ryan Potter, who voiced main character Hiro Hamada in the animated movie, as the keynote speaker at their 23rd Annual Asian American Student Assembly at 6:30 p.m., said Kaitlyn Rewis, a co-executive director for AASA.
“Having someone that is able to play their own culture and represent it well is a big thing for us,” the 21-year-old UF biochemistry and architecture senior said, adding that Potter resonated with the event’s theme, Fuel the Flame.
The free event was funded by Student Government and cost $17,500, she said. Potter is being paid $7,000 to speak.
Rewis said she expects more than 1,000 students to attend.
“We’re one of the only assemblies that can fill up the Phillips Center,” she said.
Howie Johnson, 21, said he attends AASU’s assembly event every year.
The UF applied physiology and kinesiology senior said the event is a way to introduce freshmen to campus involvement.
“It’s an integral part in really setting the tone for these freshmen, showing them that this is a fun organization to be a part of,” he said.
Johnson said he was looking forward to seeing the freshmen at the assembly.
“I’m excited for the new year to start and having new faces come in to the organization,” he said.
Correction:
Tuesday’s paper incorrectly stated the total cost of the upcoming Asian American Student Assembly event.
The Asian American Student Union was granted $122,485 for this academic school year. The total cost of its upcoming event is $17,500.
