Oprah scheduled to speak at UC Santa Barbara’s 2021 commencement

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry Yang announced on Friday that Oprah will be the keynote speaker for the live-streamed 2021 commencement ceremony.

Yang says he and his wife spoke to Oprah and invited her to deliver a message of inspiration in honor the graduating class and that she graciously accepted.

She will address the 2021 graduates on June 12.

Due to the pandemic, the university will not be able to hold their traditional ceremonies so the ceremony will be live-streamed online for all to see.

Graduating students will be able to attend in-person for the 2021 Grad Walk on June 7.

The Grad Walk will allow graduating students to take part in a graduation processional that includes having their names announced as they cross a stage, and photographs with the campus lagoon as the backdrop.

The event will be live-streamed so parents, guardians, families, and friends can share in the celebration, virtually.

Graduates from the Class of 2020 are also invited to join this Grad Walk.

There will be also be multiple virtual/ small in-person celebrations arrange by the school. The university says these events will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines.

For more information on the event, click here.