Students at the University of Texas, Austin, will have an alright alright alright learning experience this fall, as Matthew McConaughey has been appointed as a professor of practice to the Department of Radio-Television-Film faculty.
The actor, a UT Austin alum who graduated in 1993 with a degree in film, has been a visiting instructor since 2015. He developed the curriculum for the school’s Script to Screen film production class, which he’s co-taught with faculty member and director Scott Rice. His new title, professor of practice, is used for people who lack a PhD but have equivalent professional experience — like the time McConaughey won a Best Actor Oscar for 2013’s “Dallas Buyer’s Club.”
“It’s the class I wish I would have had when I was in film school. Working in the classroom with these students gives me a chance to prepare them,” McConaughey said in a statement. “Making movies, turning words on paper into film, is both a science and art — no matter the time or generation. The elements of truth and genuine joy for the process are timeless. That will always be our classroom focus.”
For fall 2019, the Script to Screen class will study McConaughey’s upcoming film “The Gentlemen,” directed by Guy Ritchie, and his 2012 film “Mud,” directed by Jeff Nichols. Nichols will also visit the class.
“We are proud to welcome Professor McConaughey to officially join our world-class faculty,” said Jay Bernhardt, dean of UT Austin’s Moody College of Communication. “Matthew cares deeply for our school and our students, and we are thrilled that he shares his time and talent to help prepare the next generation of media leaders and innovators.”