‘Survivor’ Star Suggests Self-discovery
from www.poughkeepsiejournal.com
Vassar graduate speaks to class of 2002
By Nik Bonopartis
Poughkeepsie Journal
Outwit, outplay and outlast — but first discover yourself.
That was the message Vassar College graduate Ethan Zohn told a packed audience of Vassar students and graduates at the school’s Spring Convocation.
Zohn is the most recent winner of the hit CBS series ”Survivor.” Contestants must ”outwit, outplay and outlast” each other to avoid being voted off the show.
”I must admit, if you asked me six months ago if I would be standing here … I would have thought you were crazy,” Zohn said.
Zohn, who graduated in 1996 with a biology degree, played professional soccer in the United States and Africa before landing a spot on the reality TV show.
Warm welcome
Receiving thunderous applause — and screams from some of the college’s female students — Zohn spoke of his experiences on ”Survivor” and said the foundation he built as a student at Vassar helped him make it through almost six weeks of life in the wilderness.
”I had a goal and a vision to achieve what I wanted,” Zohn said.
That vision, Zohn said, became more clear as he looked within himself. On the popular game show, contestants bring only one luxury item. For Zohn, that item was a Hacky Sack.
”You’re stripped of all aspects of life that define you as a person,” said Zohn, who has since become a familiar face on television talk shows and magazine covers. ”Your true colors come out, and that’s when you find out who you really are.”
Zohn pointed to a Vassar ethic he said was also instrumental in his success.
”I’ve learned to deal with people and learn about different people,” he said. ”I embraced those differences.”
Rebecca Schept, of Hoboken, N.J., said Zohn’s looks, style, demeanor and attitude are a good representation of the college and its students.
”I think he is the quintessential Vassar student,” Schept said.