David Sedaris
Photo: Hugh Hamrick
Humorist and bestselling author David Sedaris has been chosen as the speaker for this year's Baccalaureate,
the interfaith worship service that is one of Princeton's oldest
traditions. The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, June 4.
Sedaris is the author of the bestsellers "Barrel Fever" and "Holidays
on Ice," as well as collections of personal essays, "Naked" and "Me
Talk Pretty One Day," both of which became immediate bestsellers. He
made his comic debut recounting his experiences on the job as a Macy's
elf, reading his "SantaLand Diaries" on National Public Radio's Morning
Edition. He has appeared many times at McCarter Theatre in Princeton.
President Shirley M. Tilghman selects the Baccalaureate speaker after
consultation with senior class leaders. In an e-mail to the class of
2006, class officers said they recommended Sedaris "because there are
very few people [who] have seen a wide range of human experiences and
had the talent to write about them so charmingly and humorously."
"This ability is highlighted by the fact that he is one of the few
authors that Princeton students will pick up and read in spite of all
of the other work they may have," they wrote. "The class of 2006 will
surely be inspired by Mr. Sedaris' perseverance and resulting triumph
as we gather together to celebrate our time at Princeton and we prepare
to step forth into the world that Mr. Sedaris has come to know so
intimately in his failures and his successes."
Sedaris' essays appear regularly in Esquire and The New Yorker, and his
original radio pieces air on "This American Life," distributed
nationally by Public Radio International.
In 2001, Sedaris won the Thurber Prize for American Humor and was named
by Time magazine as "Humorist of the Year." His book "Dress Your Family
in Corduroy and Denim" was published in June 2004, and "Children
Playing Before a Statue of Hercules: An Anthology of Outstanding
Stories," edited by Sedaris, was published in April 2005. Also in 2005,
Sedaris was nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album
("Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim") and Best Comedy Album
("David Sedaris: Live at Carnegie Hall").
Baccalaureate is an end-of-the-year ceremony focused on members of the
senior class. Held in the University Chapel, it includes prayers and
readings from various religious and philosophical traditions. The
earliest recorded Baccalaureate address -- titled "Religion and the
Public Spirit" -- was delivered by President Samuel Davies in 1760 to
the 11 members of the graduating class. Since 1972, the address has
been given by a speaker chosen by the president after discussion with
class leaders.
Seating in the chapel is limited to members of the senior class and
faculty procession. Seniors receive two tickets for family and guests
who may view the ceremony via simulcast, including on a large screen to
be set up outside the chapel.
