SRU’s UPB hopes to greet Sweetin with a ‘Full House’
Jodie Sweetin (second from left) will bring stories of personal and professional triumph over alcohol and drug addiction to Slippery Rock University Nov. 15.
Nov. 9, 2016
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - For eight seasons Jodie Sweetin came into America's homes each week playing the angelic and mischievous middle daughter, Stephanie Tanner, on the ABC sitcom "Full House."
Yet for all the laughter Sweetin helped bring to millions of viewers each week, her personal life following the end of the series was one filled with dark clouds and personal demons.
SWEETIN
The now 34-year old actress will discuss her rise to fame, fall from grace and personal and professional resurgence during a visit to Slippery Rock University at 8:30 p.m., Nov. 15 in the Smith Student Center Ballroom.
For the uninitiated, "Full House" chronicled widowed father, Danny Tanner, who enlists his brother-in-law and best friend to help raise his three daughters. The series, which aired from 1987-1995, recently spawned a spin-off series, "Fuller House," that premiered on Netflix last February.
"Jodie's character, Stephanie, was and is, fun-loving and hilarious, and I have always been a huge fan of hers," said Brandon Quinn, a senior public health major from Uniontown and president of the University Program Board which is sponsoring Sweetin's appearance.
"It has been amazing seeing her go from a small child in the original series to a grown woman in the new series. Watching her grow up, you realize we as viewers have grown up that much as well."
In addition to sharing fond recollections of her time on the set of both shows, Sweetin's presentation will address the rough personal road she traveled after the "Full House" closed its front door for the final time.
A recovering drug addict, Sweetin began drinking alcohol when she was 14, shortly after the end of "Full House." Over parts of the next 15 years, she used ecstasy, methamphetamine, crack and other drugs, stating that she turned to drugs because she was "bored."
"(The end of "Full House") really was a huge loss for me and I didn't know how to properly grieve," Sweetin admitted during a recent interview.
Now five years sober, Sweetin devotes much of her energy to inspiring her fans not only as a beloved sitcom character, but as a woman victorious over substance abuse and despondency.
"Sweetin isn't coming to SRU just as one of our celebrity idols; she is coming to relate to students and to share an eye-opening, emotional message that can inspire change for our students," said Quinn. "She is a testimony to the fact that while there is a darker side to everyone, you can overcome it." Sweetin's appearance will include a 45-minute presentation followed by a question and answer session and photo/autograph opportunities.
"Oftentimes, we only see celebrities the way their agents and media have represented them," said Zoe McCafferty, a junior biology major from Butler and "Full House" fan. "They don't put their mistakes on display for the world to see. Yet, that is exactly what Jodie Sweetin is doing, and that makes me admire her all the more."
Tickets, priced at $3 for students and $5 for general admission, can be purchased at the Student Smith Center information desk. Doors will open at 8 p.m., with Sweeting taking the stage at 8:30 p.m.
MEDIA CONTACT: Maizee Zaccone | 724.738.2091 | mxz1016@sru.edu