Linkin Park Guitarist To Replace James Franco In UCLA Commencement

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Brad Delson and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park perform at KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas in 2007
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Rockers Linkin Park at Live Earth in Tokyo, Japan
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James Franco speaks at the screening of ‘Erased James Franco’ at the Museum of Modern Art on April 6, 2009 in New York City
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James Franco

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FIRST PUBLISHED: June 7, 2009 3:23 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: June 7, 2009 3:38 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Linkin Park guitarist Brad Delson will replace actor James Franco as UCLA’s keynote commencement speaker, according to university reps.

The “Milk” star announced earlier in the week that he would not be speaking at the June 12 graduation ceremony due to a scheduling conflict with his next film.

Delson, a founding member of the multi-platinum rock act, graduated from UCLA in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies. In 2004, he founded the Delson Scholarship Fund, which gives yearly scholarships to students from Huntington Park, Calif.

“Brad Delson is not only an innovative musician, but he is also a social activist who is committed to change through education,” Judith L. Smith, dean and vice provost for undergraduate education in the UCLA College of Letters and Science, said in a statement. “I am thrilled that Brad will be helping to commemorate this important occasion in the lives of our graduates and their families, and we are grateful that he has agreed to do so on short notice.”

In the wake of the Franco news, some UCLA students had petitioned for new “Tonight Show” host Conan O’Brien to serve as speaker, but he reportedly turned down the request.

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