Trevor Noah Is 2021 Class Day Speaker At Princeton University

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton University announced that Trevor Noah, comedian and host of "The Daily Show," will be the 2021 Class Day speaker.

Class Day is organized by members of the senior class and takes place a day before commencement.

This year’s ceremony will be held virtually on May 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Students said they picked Noah for his incisive social commentary, fierce commitment to social justice, and his focus on access to education as a way to make our society stronger and more equitable.

“When we began the selection process, our class was spread all across the world and very uncertain of what our senior year would hold," said Class Day co-chair Michael Wang.

“We looked for a speaker that could not only speak to a wide array of student experiences but be a beacon of hope for our class. Noah’s comedy is a powerful tool for both bringing joy to many and addressing the pressing issues of today,” Wang said.

Class Day co-chair Kamya Yadav, of New Delhi, India, said "it is rare to see faces who also come from international backgrounds be successful in unconventional career paths.”

“Watching Noah make an impact not just in the world of comedy globally but also in the field of education in South Africa fills me with hope that many of us will go on to make a difference in the multiple places we call home.”

In the past too, Princeton University students have had comedians like Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carrell and Jerry Seinfeld deliver the Class Day speech.

Senior class president Emma Parish said that she was “amazed by the way Noah talks about difficult topics with grace and urges us to challenge our own preconceived notions.”

She noted that Noah’s foundation raised $500,000 for charities like City Harvest, No Kid Hungry, Feeding America, Save The Children and the New York City Mayor’s Fund for First Responders.

Noah launched The Trevor Noah Foundation in 2018. The youth development initiative works to empower youth through access to high-quality education.

“Noah is more than impressive for just his humor and wit: he’s gone beyond his calling in service to his community. The work of the Trevor Noah Foundation in increasing accessibility to quality education clearly embodies our values as Princetonians,” said co-chair Morgan Smith.

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