Colbert will speak at Northwestern commencement

[January 25, 2011]  EVANSTON (AP) -- Stephen Colbert is returning to his alma mater as a commencement speaker.

Northwestern University announced Monday the host of TV's "The Colbert Report" will address the June 17 ceremony on its Evanston campus.

It was at Northwestern in the mid-1980s that Colbert switched from plans to study serious acting and instead joined an improvisation team. After graduation he joined the comic Second City touring team.

He recently told Northwestern magazine that he switched from serious theater after realizing that failing onstage in comedy can be funny, and healthier.

No word yet on what advice he'll give this year's grads.

[Associated Press]

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