New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr. will return to the city to give a speech at Loyola University New Orleans’ 2016 commencement ceremony. The acclaimed performer and American IDol judge will also receive an honorary doctor of music from the university.

Loyola’s 2016 commencement will take place on Saturday, May 21 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where 750 students will graduate from university. Additionally, the event will close out with a traditional second line led by the Kinfolk Brass Band.

“Harry Connick, Jr. has done so much to contribute to the renaissance of our city and promote the musical heritage of New Orleans, and we are proud to have the chance to honor him in his hometown,” said Loyola University New Orleans President the Rev. Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D. “Given Harry’s fascinating personal story and astounding international career, we know that our students welcome his advice and insights as they ‘go forth and set the world on fire.’”

Connick studied at Loyola for a brief period of time in the 1980s before moving to New York City to pursue his music career. He has since earned three Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards, while also working on an number of humanitarian endeavors. Just last month, Connick came back to New Orleans to reign as monarch for the Krewe of Orpheus, a Mardi Gras krewe that he co-founded in 1993.