43 questions for the provost
Video miniseries presents lighter side of University's chief academic officer
11:01 a.m., May 8, 2015--For those who have ever wondered what a provost is or who want know more about University of Delaware Provost Domenico Grasso, the answers may be found in an offbeat and quirky new video, “43 Questions for the Provost,” a take on the wildly popular “73 Questions” video series by Vogue. UD’s “43” version takes its name from 1743, the official year to which the University of Delaware traces its roots.
Much in the way the Vogue series attacks celebrities with funny and intimate questions in personal settings, the UD video presents Grasso going through his workday being interrupted with a barrage of questions about his life, his work and interests — asked by a dynamic cast of characters, including students, staff and UD President Patrick Harker.
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For instance, did you know UD’s provost had a pet llama?
“We thought this was a funny and engaging way to further introduce the provost to the campus community and beyond,” explained Holly Norton, social media manager in Communications and Public Affairs whose team helped produce the video.
“When I was an undergrad here at UD, I never knew what a provost was or who the provost was, even though the office is important to nearly every area of a student’s experience,” said Norton.
A surprise star of the production is primary interviewer Binta Bah, a graduate student and research assistant in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Binta’s voice is heard throughout the entire video probing Grasso with questions about his first job and pet llama.
“I was completely caught off guard when I was asked to participate, but it turned out to be a lot of fun,” she said.
The “43 Questions” video is available as a three-part miniseries via UD’s social media channels, such as YouTube, and the provost office’s website. It is being released in its entirety through the end of the semester.