Campus & Community

Tom Kenny, Voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, to Visit Syracuse University

Friday, January 24, 2025, By Cristina Hatem

Syracuse native Tom Kenny, voice of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” will discuss what it takes to build a creative career and his journey in the film, animation and music industries during a visit with Syracuse University students on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

A man smiles for a headshot while surrounded by cartoon characters.Kenny will meet with students participating in the Intelligence++ program and the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education (InclusiveU) for an informal chat about how neurodiversity is a creative superpower. He will also speak to the broader campus community about his experience growing up in Syracuse, connecting with like-minded creatives and his career trajectory.

Kenny, an award-winning voice actor, has also appeared on HBO’s “Mr. Show with Bob and David,” and has voiced characters on animated shows like “Rocko’s Modern Life,” “The Powerpuff Girls” and “CatDog.” He will share his experience on the skills needed to embark on an entrepreneurial journey and how to find your own creative voice, inspiring a new generation to learn more about content creation, storytelling and audience engagement.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

  • 9:30-10:45 a.m.: Visit with Intelligence ++ Class and InclusiveU students. Location: Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, Bird Library. Media may listen to class discussion (please contact media@syr.edu to schedule).
  • 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Informal discussion and Q&A (open to the campus community and the media) on “Creative Entrepreneurial Journey,” featuring Tom Kenny and moderated by Oscar Arce (founder of Los Angeles-based Master Talent Agency) and Paul Kozlowski (writer, actor, artist, comedian and founder of the FAKE Gallery in Hollywood and the AKE Gallery in Cortland, New York). Location: Martin J. Whitman School of Management Grand Flaum Hall.

Kenny’s visit is being sponsored by Syracuse University Libraries, the Intelligence++ Program, the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education (InclusiveU), the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.