Rainn Wilson UW alumnus, an Emmy-nominated actor who plays Dwight Schrute from The Office, will be at the UW today.

Wilson, who hasn't been back to Seattle since graduation, will be in the area for his work with the Mona Foundation, which is holding an event this weekend.

The Mona Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to improve the education and status for women around the world.

Wilson recently became a spokesperson for the organization, said senior Anisa Ghadrshenas, an environmental health major who volunteers for the Mona Foundation with him.

Wilson was introduced to the Mona Foundation in Los Angeles, Ghadrshenas said.

It was nice to be able to coordinate with Wilson to come to the UW since he will already be in Seattle for the Mona Foundation, Ghadrshenas said.

ASUW, the UW Alumni Association and the Mona Foundation are sponsoring the evening.

The event is being held at Kane Hall in room 130. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Wilson will begin speaking at 6:30 p.m. It is scheduled to go until about 9 p.m.

"The event is free," Ghadrshenas said. "It's first come, first served."

Those interested in attending can begin lining up whenever they want, she said. More than 800 people have sent in an RSVP through a Facebook flyer for "An evening with Rainn Wilson." And, of course, guests are allowed to bring friends to this event.

UW students are given first priority for seating, so a student ID card is encouraged.

Wilson will talk about what he has been doing since graduation and about living in Hollywood. He will also talk about getting involved and his passion for volunteering.

Wilson wants to have a large portion of the evening be a question-and-answer session.

"He is excited to reconnect with the University and encourage people to be active while they are in college," Ghadrshenas said.

[Reach reporter Celia Hunko at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]