It was barely a week ago when the Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy announced they had given their Humanist of the Year award to Family Guy and American Dad! creator Seth MacFarlane.

They scheduled his acceptance speech for the night of June 14th. Then, citing a scheduling conflict, the date was changed to June 4th and tickets went on sale.
And now, it appears the date has changed again…
… However, when Seth got in touch this week and offered to reschedule for the fall if we wanted, we leapt at the chance.
…
Now, we will be able to host the Emmy Award-winning TV creator and filmmaker on campus this fall, when more of our students and community members can meet him, and hopefully to help us launch the major new initiative we are preparing to announce. Yes, with your help and support, you may hear big fall news from us late this summer. And if so, expect that MacFarlane won’t even be the only major star and seminal cultural figure on hand in the fall to help us launch a new initiative.
Given MacFarlane’s celebrity status, I doubt it was the Chaplaincy’s idea to reschedule the event (again).
It sounds like MacFarlane either didn’t really commit to the June 4th date… or he suggested doing it in the fall after the latest announcement was issued. It’s a frustrating move, given how many people probably rearranged their schedule to come see him, but I guess that’s the nature of bringing a celebrity to your campus, even when you’re Harvard. You have to deal with their other obligations.
The upside to this is that the event will take place in the fall instead of this weekend — when all the students have already gone home. That means more students will be able to attend and it’ll be a great beginning-of-the-year kickoff for HCH… (unless it gets rescheduled again, that is.)
What about the people who have already purchased tickets for Saturday’s now-cancelled event?
Meanwhile, though, we can’t thank you enough for your patience as this event has shifted and come together in stages. All ticket purchases will be refunded in full within days. And we will make every effort to announce the final date well in advance enough, so you (including those of you who wanted to come from out of town to attend) will have the chance to set your plans.
Hats off to HCH. They’re bringing in a big-name speaker and dealing with the hazards that come along with that as best they can. It’ll be worth it in the fall.