KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A famous comedian and Kalamazoo native is sharing his wisdom to the graduates of Kalamazoo College and adding that society now needs their wisdom.
Jordan Klepper, best known for his work on the Comedy Central shows “The Daily Show,” “The Opposition with Jordan Klepper” and “Klepper,” surprised the class of 2020 with a recorded video appearance at Kalamazoo College’s virtual Conferral of Degrees ceremony on Sunday.
Klepper graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and then went to Kalamazoo College where he earned degrees in math and theater back in 2001.
During his speech he explained how he found the wisdom to bestow upon the class by using Star Wars quotes saying, “I scoured my many rooms of books scanning through Proust, the short stories of Joyce, and the works of Tolstoy when I came upon a missive from the past that rungs in the ears of the future by the esteemed royal princess, Leia. She said, ‘Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.’”
He continued by saying, “..You need to help us, the world is on fire!” He explained that this class is the hope of the future to address systemic issues with race, class, etc. and change the norm.
The full speech can be found here.
Kalamazoo College‘s class of 2020 included:
- 331 expected Commencement participants
- 207 Michiganders
- Students from 23 states
- Students from 10 countries including the U.S.
- Biology, business and chemistry as the most represented majors
- 104 double majors and five triple majors
