"The University of Scranton is a special place for me and the entire cast, crew, writers and creators of The Office," said Brian Baumgartner, a New York Times best-selling author who played Kevin Malone on The Office, as he fondly recalled the enthusiastic welcome he and fellow cast members received at the University for the live broadcast of the Today Show that opened The Office Convention in 2007. Baumgartner said that was the first time they experienced that kind of excitement over the show, and they all still remember that first visit to The University of Scranton.

On Nov. 6, Baumgartner returned campus for an exclusive Q and A and book-signing with Scranton students. The event took place one day after the publication of his latest book, "The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin."

Michael Ritterbeck '09, director of the University's Center of Student Engagement, hosted the Q and A for which University students submitted questions.

The new book, "The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin," is described by publisher HarperCollins as "the ultimate holiday gift for every fan of The Office" - an "hilarious and timeless illustrated retelling of the beloved poem, featuring a visit from Michael Scott as Santa and narrated by Kevin Malone (author Brian Baumgartner)." "The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin" is co-authored with Ben Silverman and illustrated by Maël Gourmelen.

See photos from the Q and A and Book Signing here.

This was Baumgartner third visit to the University for an exclusive student Q and A and book signing with students. He was at the University in September 2022 for the launch of his book "Seriously Good Chili Cookbook," and in November 2021 for his first book "Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office," which became a New York Times best-seller.

The Office originally aired on NBC from 2005 to 2013 and later became one of the most popular shows on Netflix. Episodes can now be seen on Peacock. He was among the cast members who visited the University for The Office Convention in 2007 and The Wrap Party in 2013. He was also on campus for the taping of his popular podcast on the history of The Office, which was the precursor to his first book, "Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office."