Amy Poehler has been named the speaker at Harvard University's Senior Class Day. She will address the class of 2011 on May 25, a day before the students graduate.
Poehler was chosen because students wanted someone "people would recognize, who could give a funny and engaging speech" and who was "in our collective consciousness," Senior Class Marshal Toby Stein told the Harvard Gazette, the university's official newspaper.
"The speakers in the past two years have been serious newscasters," he added. "Amy did 'Weekend Update' on 'SNL,' so she's a different kind of newscaster. We're hoping that experience will put a different spin on current events, and give seniors a look at the world we're living in from a different angle."
More importantly, the students are hoping she will make them laugh. Poehler, 39, has been an actress and comedienne on popular sitcoms, movies and was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live.
During her time on 'SNL,' Amy was a part of our growing up, and there's no doubt that she's pretty hilarious," Stein said.
"'Mean Girls' is an icon of our generation, he adds. We're really excited to have Amy speak on Class Day.
