A silly send-off for UCSD grads

University graduation speakers can be solemn and serious as they advise seniors about life to come in the “real world.’’

But then there’s UC San Diego, which announced Thursday that the creator of “Beavis and Butt-head’’--a cartoon series relying on bathroom and sex jokes for its humor--will help send graduates on their way from the seaside campus during the school’s 2009 All Campus Graduation Celebration June 12.

Mike Judge, a UCSD alumnus who was a physics major from 1980 to 1985, was behind “one of the most popular series in the history of MTV,’’ according to a school statement.

Judge was described as also being the creator of “cult films’’ and TV shows such as “Office Space’’ and “King of the Hill.’’

He’ll be the keynote speaker at the second annual celebration that gives graduates at the UCSD’s six colleges and alumni “an opportunity to commemorate graduation in a large-scale celebration.’’

The school said Judge’s next film will be Extract,’’ starring Ben Affleck and Jason Bateman. It is expected to be in theaters this fall.

“Senior Spring,’’ the all-campus series of events scheduled during the last 10 weeks before graduation, “is an opportunity for graduating seniors to celebrate their accomplishments with classmates at events such as Grad Nite at the Bookstore and the downtown Padres baseball game,’’ according to Penny Rue, vice chancellor of student affairs.

Other speakers will include UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and Rue.

In addition to the All Campus Graduation Celebration, individual colleges at UCSD will each hold their own, more traditional, graduation ceremonies at other times.