By Evan Hill The Daily Northwestern
Despite starring for nine seasons on America's favorite "show about nothing," Julia Louis-Dreyfus will need to come up with something big when she returns to Northwestern this June to deliver the university's 149th annual commencement address.
The actress, an NU graduate most famous for her role as Elaine Benes on the hit sitcom "Seinfeld," made the announcement Monday morning during an appearance on the talk show "Regis and Kelly."
"I'm going back to Northwestern in June. I'm giving the commencement address," said Louis-Dreyfus, Communication '82.
Louis-Dreyfus won a Golden Globe in 1994 and an Emmy in 1996 for her role as Elaine. She received another Emmy this year for her portrayal of Christine Campbell in the CBS series "The New Adventures of Old Christine."
Rebecca Feferman, Louis-Dreyfus' agent, confirmed that she will give the speech on June 15, 2007.
Vice President for University Relations Alan Cubbage said university officials had been preparing to announce the speaker in a forthcoming letter but that Louis-Dreyfus beat them to it.
"We're very honored," he said. "She's very successful and she's also someone who on more than one occasion has said very good things about the university. It's very exciting to have her."
But the actress so many know as Elaine might have trouble with name recognition on campus.
Echoing the responses of other students, Weinberg freshman Amelia Chen initially said she didn't recognize Louis-Dreyfus' name but that she thought the Seinfeld star would bring a different perspective to the address.
Others agreed, saying Louis-Dreyfus would relate to students and give an entertaining speech.
"I think that's pretty impressive," said Weinberg sophomore Amie Wolf on NU arranging the star's speech.
But some students said they thought NU could have found someone more prominent.
Jerett Yan said he thought it was "cool" to have someone from Seinfeld but that Louis-Dreyfus was a step down from last year's speaker, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill).
Carla Herrera, a McCormick junior, said it would be better if NU brought someone in politics rather than entertainment.
Steve Venick was one of more than 100 NU students who belong to the Facebook.com group "Colbert for Commencement." Venick said he was disappointed by the announcement.
"I watch 'Seinfeld,' and I think she'll be a perfectly fine commencement speaker. But my heart was set on Colbert, and I feel like I've been stabbed through the heart," the Weinberg senior said.
The Daily's Jen Wieczner and Katie Ressmeyer contributed to this report.
Reach Evan Hill at e-hill@northwestern.edu.
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