Academy Award-winning actor Brad Pitt on Tuesday sent out a video congratulating graduates of Missouri State University, one of many schools forgoing a traditional graduation ceremony amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Hi everyone, Brad here from quarantine, with a shout out to the graduating class of Missouri State University,” the Springfield, Mo., native said in a video shared by the school. 

“It must be very strange doing this in these trying times, but know we’re rooting for you, our money’s on you to make this world a better place, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors,” he said. 

We have one more surprise for our #BearGrads: A special message from one of Springfield’s own.

Thanks, Brad. pic.twitter.com/tCtWgzhozI

— Missouri State (@MissouriState) May 19, 2020

An assistant professor at the university, Elizabeth King, last week tweeted a call for Pitt to “do his hometown a solid” and “cheer up” the graduates who were missing out on their ceremony. 

“I’m reaching out to you because I’m feeling wild and why not. I’m hoping you can send a message of support for our 2020 grads at Missouri State,” King said in the video, adding that there’s “a lot of disappointment going around here in Springfield.” 

“I think you can help, right? We love you, everybody loves you,” she added. 

I had a wild idea that Brad Pitt would do his hometown a solid & cheer up @MissouriState grads who won’t walk this Friday. Haven’t heard from anyone I emailed, so here’s a video I never thought I’d share. Last shot for my students.@HiltzikStrat help us! Twitter, do your thing. pic.twitter.com/VmLmRE0buO

— Dr. Elizabeth K. King (@Dr_EKing) May 12, 2020

Last month, Pitt issued a message of support and thanks for front-line health care workers amid the coronavirus pandemic during a remote episode of “Saturday Night Live” where he appeared as Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Schools across the country have shifted to virtual graduation ceremonies amid the crisis. There are are more than 1.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and 90,432 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.