John Kerry to Deliver Northeastern Commencement Speech

BOSTON (AP) _ U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been chosen to deliver Northeastern University's commencement speech.

Northeastern President Joseph Aoun said in a statement Tuesday that Kerry, like Northeastern, has deep roots in Massachusetts and is engaged in the global community. Aoun says Kerry is a powerful example for graduates.

Kerry, who became secretary of state in 2013, served as a longtime Massachusetts senator and was a prosecutor in the state. He earned a law degree from Boston College in 1976 after graduating from Yale University.

Kerry says in a statement that he's grateful for the opportunity and looks forward to returning to his hometown.

Kerry will speak to graduates of the private school on May 6 at Boston's TD Garden arena.

He also spoke at Northeastern's 2000 commencement.