Class Day To Feature Frank, Samberg, Four Students

The Class of 2012 will unite Wednesday afternoon in Tercentenary Theater to celebrate the annual Senior Class Day Exercises, which will include addresses from Mass. Congressman Barney Frank ‘61-’62 and Saturday Night Live cast member Andy Samberg.

The event will also include remarks by Dean of the College Evelynn M. Hammonds and the Ivy and Harvard orations, which are delivered by members of the class of 2012.

Frank, the guest alumni speaker for Class Day, has served for 30 years as a Representative of the Fourth District of Massachusetts. In 2010, he co-wrote the plan for U.S. financial reform as head of the House Committee on Financial Services.

Samberg just completed his seventh season as a cast member of Saturday Night Live and has been in films such as “Friends With Benefits,” “I Love You Man,” and “Hot Rod.” In 2007, Samberg won a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

“The contrast between [Frank and Samberg] will make for a memorable afternoon,” said Matt J. DaSilva ’12, Senior Class Committee Class Day Chair.

Four student speakers will join Samberg and Frank.

The two Harvard Orators, Steven N. Maheshwary ’12 and Pauline Mutumwinka ’12, will deliver reflective speeches.

“The speech I wrote is intensely personal because it focuses on our collective vulnerabilities and fears, so I’m going to try not to choke up tomorrow,” Maheshwary wrote in an email. “I’d say being nervous/excited to share my message is a bit of an understatement.”

While the Harvard Orations are focused on more poignant messages, the Ivy Orations provide lighthearted comic relief. This year, the Ivy Orations will be delivered by Jacqueline J. Rossi ’12 and Matthew E. Whitaker ’12.

“It’s pretty nervewracking... There’s a lot of pressure to be funny,” Whitaker said. “I’m planning on looking at the trees a lot.”

Although Whitaker admitted to being nervous, Rossi said she is prepared for the challenge.

“I’m not that nervous,” Rossi said. “I’ve been practicing for four years, making a fool of myself at school.”

Whitaker, laughing, commented on his friendship and shared sense of humor with Rossi. “I’m surprised that the drivel we share would be funny to anyone else,” he said.

—Crimson Staff Writer Adam J. Conner can be reached at ajconner@college.harvard.edu