Talented Mr. Damon To Host Cultural Rhythms

Actor Matt Damon, Class of 1992, will return to Harvard this Saturday to be honored as the Cultural Artist of the Year at the 15th annual Cultural Rhythms performance festival, Harvard officials confirmed last night.

A spokesperson for Damon also confirmed that the Oscar-winning actor will be at Harvard this weekend.

In hosting the event, Damon follows in the footsteps of actors Will Smith, Halle Berry and Andy Garcia, who were honored in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

This year's performance festival--to be held Saturday--sold out earlier this week before the host's identity was announced.

Holly Foster, student activities coordinator for the Foundation, said the organization had planned to wait until Friday to announce the host.

"We try to keep the whole thing quiet as a surprise for students," Foster said.

Damon attended Harvard from 1988 to 1991, before dropping out to start his film career.

He received an Academy Award in 1998 for the film Good Will Hunting and was nominated for another Oscar last year for his role in Steven Spielberg's World War II drama, Saving Private Ryan. His performance in The Talented Mr. Ripley this year was also widely praised.

"People feel connected to [Damon}," said Monique S. Cofer '01, a member of SAC who represents the Association of Black Radcliffe Women.

She said she was pleased to learn that Damon would be this year's award recipient.

"He's definitely one of the most popular actors of our time," she said.

Casey J. Noel '01, the Foundation SAC representative from Harvard's Caribbean Club, said he was particularly glad that this year's artist is a former Harvard undergraduate.

"It shows that Harvard students can go in many directions including entertainment," Noel said.

Tanner T. Fahl '03, a member of the Hawaiian Club who will be dancing at the performance, said honoring Damon this year sends students a message about diversity.

"Being cultural doesn't necessarily mean being a minority," Fahl said.

According to Foster, the process for selecting each year's "Artist of the Year" involves both students and administrators.

She said that the Foundation's student advisory committee (SAC), consisting of leaders of the various ethnic and cultural groups on campus, submits a list of people they think would be worthy of the honor.

"Then the Cultural Rhythms [faculty] members try to secure a host," Foster said.