Best-selling author to give talk at interfaith worship service June 4
By: David Campbell
Humorist and best-selling author David Sedaris has been chosen by Princeton University as the speaker for the 2006 Baccalaureate, the academic year-end interfaith worship service at Princeton, the university said.
The ceremony is scheduled for June 4.
Mr. 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 were 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.
Mr. 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, he 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.
In 2005, Mr. 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, one of Princeton’s oldest traditions, 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.
University President Shirley M. Tilghman selects the Baccalaureate speaker after consultation with senior class leaders, Princeton said.

