Why Tina Fey Should Be Our Graduation Speaker

Television correspondent Emily Lasky writes in to voice her opinion on one of Penn's most pressing issues.

For many of us (or at least a quarter), this is our final year at Penn. And though it is only September, thoughts already turn to graduation in May. But who would be the best person to give us that send-off at graduation, to encourage us and prepare us for the real world? More importantly, who will entertain us after we have been sitting around in our caps and gowns for who knows how long? Two words: Tina. Fey.

She's won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award for 30 Rock, so she's good at her job. She's also a Peabody Award winner, which is the fanciest, schmanciest award out there for entertainment. In other words, she's respected in her field.

She was the first female head writer at SNL and is one of the few female creators/exec producers in TV today, so she knows a bit about being a successful woman in an industry dominated by men.

Her speech would be funny, but she wouldn't laugh at her own jokes the way Jimmy Fallon used to do during Weekend Update.

She can get people as random as Jerry Seinfeld, Al Gore, and the gossip girls to guest star on 30 Rock. Plus, she may actually get Oprah Winfrey for the second episode this season. Question: if Oprah controls the world, what does it mean if Tina Fey controls Oprah?

Harvard had Will Ferrell. And Ali G.

We've had politicians the past two years, so it's time to switch it up a bit. And there's precedent of an entertainer giving a good speech, thanks to a little lady called Jodie Foster.

She looks like she can speak at an Ivy League school. Thanks, glasses!

She found an outlet for Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan's unique talents (voices and playing himself on television, respectively):

She's from the Philly area (what up, Upper Darby!) so she would know how to get here. And since she lives in New York City, it would be an easy trip down the NJ Turnpike if she doesn't hit traffic.

This may be my only chance to meet her if I can swing getting the job of "Official Tina Fey Water Glass Holder."

Check out penn09.com for other suggestions the senior class has made for the speaker, although none are as perfect or as wonderful as number 164.

9/18/08 UPDATE: She officially booked Oprah. Tina Fey controls everything.