Linkin Park's Brad Delson Replacing James Franco As UCLA's Keynote Speaker

Linkin Park's Brad Delson is replacing James Franco as the keynote speaker at the UCLA College of Letters and Science's commencement ceremony. The alum will be delivering his speech on June 12.

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The 31-year-old rocker took up Business and Administration at the University of California, Los Angeles and graduated summa cum laude in 1999. He is replacing the "Spider-Man" star as the speaker, after the actor bailed out, citing scheduling conflict amid student protest.

Franco said that he is canceling his appearance at the commencement ceremony because of prior commitment. However, prior to his withdrawal, UCLA students had already spoken out to oppose his intended role at the event.

According to the students, Franco, who graduated last year with a creative writing degree, is one of their peers and is not qualified to be their speaker as he hasn't had accomplished anything yet with his degree.

They took their opposition to Facebook, creating a group titled "UCLA Students against James Franco as Commencement Speaker." Hundreds of users joined the group.

With Franco out of the event, the university turned their attention to late night show host Conan O'Brien, who graduated magna cum laude in Harvard University in 1985. However, the funnyman also had to back out as his new role as Jay Leno's replacement left him little time to do anything else.

O'Brien excused himself from the task, saying, "I am honored to be asked but I am so busy launching 'The Tonight Show' there just is not enough time to give this speech the preparation it deserves. I wish everyone in the class of 2009 the best and I am honored that they thought of me."

Delson and his wife have established the Delson Scholarship Fund at UCLA, which awards four-year scholarships to students.

Dean and vice provost for undergraduate education in the College of Letters and Science Judith L. Smith said that she is "thrilled" that the musician agreed to step in on short notice.

She said, "Brad Delson is not only an innovative musician, but he is also a social activist who is committed to change through education."

He will be delivering his commencement speech on June 12 at the school's Pauley Pavilion.