Oprah Winfrey To Speak Saturday At Agnes Scott Commencement

DECATUR, GA -- Media empress Oprah Winfrey on Saturday will deliver the keynote address at the Agnes Scott College spring commencement. In addition to speaking, Winfrey is set to receive an honorary degree during the graduation ceremony.

Winfrey, a new advocate of education on all levels, is best known for "The Oprah Winfrey Show," the popular daytime talk show she helmed for 25 years. In addition to running "O, Oprah Winfrey Magazine," she produces and stars in movies and owns the cable TV network OWN.

Foot and bike traffic will be closed from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on graduation day, the school said. "In addition, E. Dougherty Street will be closed to vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic during that same time frame. Please anticipate traffic congestion around the college's surrounding streets before and after Commencement between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m.," the college said.

Read more: Agnes Scott To Shut Down Foot, Bike Traffic For Spring Graduation

Elizabeth Kiss, the president of Agnes Scott, said that Winfrey's drive is an inspiration and aspiration to the school's young people.

“We are educating our students to become global change agents who have the courage, compassion and commitment to make a difference in the world. Oprah Winfrey is a phenomenal model of leading a purpose-driven life with her impressive legacy of leadership, philanthropy and service," Kiss said in a statement. "We are honored and thrilled to welcome her to our college to share an inspiring and empowering message with our 2017 graduates.”

The college said this week that staff will first park their vehicles in the Agnes Scott College parking lots. Once those fill up, vehicles will be directed to Decatur High School, followed by Renfroe Middle School and then the DeKalb County parking deck. A shuttle will run from the parking deck to Agnes Scott's campus.

Tickets will be required for entrance to the commencement ceremony, which will take place on the Science Quadrangle, rain or shine, unless the weather is severe, the school said.

Image via Wikimedia / Creative Commons license