General Martin Dempsey will speak at the University’s 171st Commencement Ceremony this May, the University announced Wednesday morning.

As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dempsey served as the nation’s highest-ranking military officer.

Dempsey, who retired Wednesday after four years at the position, spoke on campus last September on the threats facing the U.S. for the annual Jack Kelly and Gail Weiss Lecture on National Security. During that same visit, he presented the American flag during the ceremonies before the football game against Michigan, according to the press release.

According to the press release, he graduated in 1974 from the U.S. Military Academy and later earned a master’s degree in English from Duke University before serving as an assistant professor of English at West Point for three years. He also holds master’s degrees in military art and national security sciences.

Throughout his career, Dempsey has served all over the world, and received awards including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with “V” Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge, according to the press release.

According to the same press release, Notre Dame’s Commencement Ceremony will be held in Notre Dame Stadium on May 15, 2016 at 9 a.m.