Hollywood giant and Academy Award winning moviestar Mel Gibson was met by a sea of screaming fans upon his arrival to campus on Thursday 6th September.
The actor/director best known for his roles in Braveheart, Lethal Weapon and The Passion of the Christ amongst others, toured the Wings Plaza, being styled at the Making Headlines hair salon, joining a game of pool at One World Club, and being introduced to the University-created Wing’s Café for a cold drink. He then visited the Hall of Fame for an intimate session with the admiring students from around the world.
At the Hall of Fame Mel, accompanied by University president Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Lim Kok Wing, Executive Producer and President of Icon Productions Bruce Davey and Petra Group president Datuk Vinod Sekhar conversed openly with students about his experiences and advice about the film industry. “You must remember that you’re doing it all out of love. You find the essence of life and people relate to the emotions you and your actors portray.”
The highlight of the day was when the Braveheart star was recognized as the first Honorary Fellow of the Limkokwing Film and Television Academy (LFTA), launched in early August of this year. The certificate was presented by Limkokwing University President Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Lim Kok Wing to a huge applause from the students.
“The University recognizes outstanding people from their distinctions for inspiring people from all over the world and there is no one more fitting than out guest this morning. Mel Gibson is a creative giant in his field, a genius whom has paved the way for countless others in film and moviemaking.” Tiffanee Lim stated at the ceremony.
The two-time Academy Award winner said, “Here I’ve seen people from just about every corner of the globe. That in itself gives you an incredible opportunity; I didn’t expect anything like this on a university campus- you have everything from hair design to fashion to animation to film!” When told Limkokwing plays host to students from over 100 countries the usually ever-chatty star was speechless.
Mel Gibson, Winner of the 2004 Academy Awards to Best Director and Best Picture for Braveheart (2004) also received the Golden Globe for Best Director in the same year, as well as several MTV Movie Awards, People’s Choice Awards, was also named Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, Forbes Magazine’s Most Powerful Celebrity and People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.