Jennifer Coolidge, an Emmy and Golden Globe–winning actress, will deliver the commencement address to Emerson’s graduating class of 2025 on May 11, the college announced Monday.

“The college is deeply honored to welcome this incredibly talented and always funny Emersonian back to her alma mater,” President Jay Bernhardt wrote in the announcement. “She embodies the institution’s creativity and originality through and through, and I’m thrilled that our graduating students will hear her story.”

In addition to the approximate 1,000 students who will receive their degrees, Coolidge will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the ceremony.

In response to the news, seniors participating in the commencement ceremony shared their excited feelings.

“I was beyond thrilled to learn that Jennifer Coolidge would be delivering my class commencement speech,” senior Allie McDonough-Padden told The Beacon. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see Emerson alumni, like Coolidge, making such a significant impact in the media.”

Originally from Norwell, Coolidge is known for her roles in “Legally Blonde,” “American Pie,” and “The White Lotus.” Before Emerson, she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. After graduating, she became a nine-year veteran of The Groundlings comedy troupe in Los Angeles.

Coolidge previously spoke to Emerson graduates at the 2020 commencement via video message during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She gave the commencement address to Washington University in St. Louis last year and to Norwell High School in 2002.

“My family attending the commencement is just as excited as I am,” McDonough-Padden continued. “I honestly only agreed to participate at commencement so that my mom and family could see me walk across the stage to get my diploma, but now that we have a super awesome speaker, I am actually excited to be there.”