John Legend going back to school — for a day

March 3, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

PHILADELPHIA — John Legend is going back to school. The Grammy-winning R&B musician will speak at a graduation ceremony at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, on the 10th anniversary of his own commencement. Legend graduated from the Ivy League school in 1999 with a degree in English and an emphasis in African-American literature. He’ll speak May 17 at the ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences. While at Penn, Legend was known by his given name, John Stevens. He was a member of Counterparts, a coed a cappella group. Since then his career has skyrocketed. He performed at last month’s Academy Awards.

Gloria Estefan announces tour of South America

MIAMI — Seven-time Grammy winner Gloria Estefan has performed to many packed arenas worldwide in a career spanning more than two decades. But for the first time she is taking her greatest hits tour to South America. Estefan announce plans Monday to open in Uruguay on April 9 as she embarks on a tour with stops in Chile, Argentina, Peru and Ecuador. The Cuba native told a news conference that getting back to Latin America brings her “full circle.” “After so many years of planning to perform there, but because of logistics, you know, and a lot of political upheaval in Latin America ... being available to do it was just too difficult,” Estefan explained. “I spent 15 years of my life traveling and we’ve been trying to get to Latin America forever.” The show comes less than a year after her European tour to promote 90 Millas, a Spanish-language album of original songs inspired by Cuba.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Hattie Winston (“Becker”, “The Electric Company”) is 64. Singer Jennifer Warnes is 62. Guitarist John Lilley of The Hooters is 55. Actress Miranda Richardson is 51. Rapper Tone-Loc is 43. Actress Julie Bowen (“Boston Legal,” “Ed”) is 39. Country singer Brett Warren of The Warren Brothers is 38. Actor David Faustino (“Married...With Children”) is 35. Actress Jessica Biel is 27.