TV Biz Katie Couric to be 2012 Commencement Speaker at her Alma Mater By Chris Ariens on Dec. 6, 2011 - 4:22 PM The University of Virginia announced today that Katie Couric will be the 2012 commencement speaker. A 1979 graduate of UVA, Couric will deliver the address at the University’s 183rd Final Exercises on May 20. Advertisement