Unlike last year’s highly criticized speaker choice, this year’s Commencement speaker will not be suffering from a lack of star power.

Oprah Winfrey, the world famous talk-show host and philanthropist, has accepted the University’s invitation to speak at Stanford’s 117th Commencement.

Oprah’s choice to speak at Stanford may have been influenced by the upcoming graduation of her goddaughter, Kirby Bumpus ’08.

“She doesn’t really do commencements unless it’s for someone she knows,” Bumpus said. “That’s the only reason she’s coming. She gets asked a lot, so she can really do it only when she has a special connection.”

Oprah’s invitation follows last year’s selection of poet Dana Gioia, who many students complained lacked sufficient name recognition.

“Obviously Oprah won’t have that problem at all,” said Senior Class President Melinda Lee ‘08. “She does have celebrity star power, but beyond that she can provide seniors with a wonderful and enthusiastic speech. Her whole life is based off of being a motivational speaker.”

Senior Class President Brent Pirruccello ’08 said this year’s speaker selection process was not influenced by negative reactions to the choice of Gioia.

“I would say every year, the class presidents and the President’s office do their best to bring in a speaker that will really satisfy everyone, and it doesn’t work out every year,” Pirruccello said. “There was a big effort put in [this year], but there is always a large effort put in.”

Many seniors were happy that this year’s speaker is a household name.

“It’ll be fun to tell people later who our Commencement speaker was and have them know who it is,” said Katie O’Neil ’08.

Oprah, however, was not chosen to speak exclusively because of her fame.

“Each year at Commencement we encourage graduating students to think about the skills they have acquired and the impact they can have in the world,” Stanford President John Hennessy said in a statement. “I can think of few people who have put such advice to better use than Oprah Winfrey.”

Oprah’s impressive philanthropic record and success as a businesswoman was a major reason the University asked her to speak.

“She has relentlessly continued her education and sought to improve the world in remarkable and varied ways,” Hennessy said. “Her efforts in the areas of philanthropy - and her heartfelt desire to improve the lives of less fortunate people - serve as a model to us all.”

“She’s a great role model for women,” said Lauren Falcao ’08. “I’m really excited about it.”

Still, not all seniors are enthusiastic about this year’s speaker choice.

“As an average college male, my universe and the universe of Oprah don’t intersect at all,” said Andrew Gay ’08. “I’m sure my mom will be happy, but the only way I’ll be happy is if she gives us free cars.”

The class presidents consider themselves fortunate that Bumpus has a close relationship with Oprah.

“I feel very lucky that Kirby was in the class of 2008,” said Senior Class President Jessica Stanley ’08. “President Hennessy’s office was working with Kirby and us simultaneously.”

Bumpus is confident that her godmother will provide a memorable commencement address.

“She’s an amazing speaker,” Bumpus said, “and I know she’ll have some great words for our class.”