President Obama to deliver commencement speech at Howard University

WASHINGTON - Howard University announced that President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver the commencement speech at the school's graduation on May 7.

In addition to giving the keynote address, he will also receive an honorary degree from the university.

"It is an extraordinary honor and privilege for the Howard University community to welcome President Barack H. Obama to our campus to deliver the 2016 commencement address," said Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick. "The President's commitment to education, especially for those who can least afford it, dovetails with Howard's commitment to provide these same students with a rigorous, intellectually-stimulating, and academically-challenging educational experience. As we look into the not so distant future, Howard will commemorate its 150th Anniversary in March 2017, emboldened by a legacy of addressing disparities that are inextricably intertwined with this nation's legacy of equality and inclusivity. President Obama's own legacy gives the Howard Community great expectations for the leadership footprint it will leave on America and the globe."

Howard University said in a news release that more than 1,300 bachelor's degrees, more than 300 master's degrees and over 100 doctorate degrees will be given out in addition to another 400 professional degrees.

President Obama will be the sixth sitting United States president to deliver the keynote address at Howard. It will be Obama's third commencement speech at a historically black college or university.

He will also deliver his final commencement speeches as president this year at Rutgers University and the Air Force Academy.

Information from the Associated Press used in this report.