Satirist and Northwestern alumnus Stephen Colbert will speak at Northwestern’s 2011 Commencement on June 17, the university announced today.
“My instinct is that the graduating seniors will be very happy with the selection,” university spokesman Alan Cubbage said.
Colbert transferred into the School of Communication as a theatre major and graduated in 1986. After college, he became a cast member at The Second City improv troupe. He became famous for his role as a correspondent at Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. He now plays an aggressive right-wing pundit as the host of The Colbert Report.
“I think Mr. Colbert is a distinguished alumnus,” Cubbage said, adding that he is worthy of receiving an honorary degree from the university. “He’s also had a very successful career, and he’s someone that represents the university very well.”
Colbert last came to campus as grand marshal of the homecoming parade in 2006. Northwestern magazine profiled him in its winter 2010 issue.
Commencement will be held at 10:30 a.m. on June 17, 2011, at Ryan Field.