Stephen Colbert is one reason Clinton Kelly was selected this year. Photo by Anna Waigand / NBN.

Greetings, junkies of semi-useless information! With reactions to this year’s Homecoming parade grand marshal ranging from “OMG! That’s SO kewl” to “Who?” it just seems right to kick off my blog with the answer to another popular response: Who chooses the grand marshal, anyway?

Each year, the Northwestern Alumni Association looks at the list of alumni expected to come back for a reunion and tries to find notable alumni among the group. That list is turned over to the Homecoming Student Committee, which selects a few they’d like to see as grand marshal. The NAA takes that list, makes some phone calls, and finds one that’ll take the job.

Last year’s grand marshal, Stephen Colbert, was so successful that the NAA and the student committee searched for another nationally known figure, as opposed to the local alumni who have taken the job in the past, according to Katie Wesner of the NAA. Even though Clinton Kelly graduated in ’93, meaning he wasn’t scheduled to return for Reunion Weekend, he was scheduled to be in Chicago this weekend for another appearance. Wesner said this made Kelly one of the top choices, and when asked to act as grand marshal he was “happy to do it.”

Special thanks to: Judy Moore from NU Media Relations.

Is something on your mind, but too lazy to find the answer? Send your questions to ubernerdnbn@gmail.com.