{shortcode-1a96e1d89304feac98ec71cabf6183d9f6c8ca8a}Former Secretary of State John Kerry will deliver the Kennedy School’s graduation address on May 24, according to a press release from the school.

Kennedy School Dean Douglas W. Elmendorf wrote in a statement that he is “delighted” that Kerry will speak to the Kennedy School’s Class of 2017.

“John Kerry is a remarkable public servant who has dedicated decades working for peace, security, humanitarian and social justice, and the fight against human-caused climate change,” Elmendorf wrote.

Kerry most recently served as Former President Barack Obama’s Secretary of State from 2013 to 2017. He graduated from Yale University in 1966, and ran an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2004.

Starting in 2017-2018 academic year, Kerry will return to Yale to host the "Kerry Initiative," which will conduct research on global issues like extremist terrorism and climate change. He will also publish a memoir in coming months about his presidential campaign and experiences in public service.

Kerry previously visited Harvard in May 2016 at a launch event for an initiative between the Harvard Global Health Institute and the Harvard University Center for the Environment studying public health and climate change.

The Kennedy School’s previous graduation speakers include former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and David Milibrand, CEO of the International Rescue Committee.

—Staff writer Lucas Ward can be reached at lucas.ward@thecrimson.com. Follow him on twitter at @LucaspfWard.