New London — President Barack Obama will make his second appearance at a U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement ceremony, academy and White House officials announced Friday.

"On Wednesday, May 20, the President will travel to New London, Connecticut to participate in the One Hundred Thirty-Fourth Commencement Exercises of the United States Coast Guard Academy. The President is honored to deliver the commencement address to this year's class of graduating first class cadets. Further details about the President's travel to Connecticut will be available in the coming days," according to a statement from Keith Maley, regional communications director for the White House.

The commencement is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Cadet Memorial Field.

The academy regularly extends an invitation to the president to attend the ceremony.

Presidents traditionally address the graduating class at one of the five federal service academies on a rotating basis. Obama addressed the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2014 at West Point last year.

"It is a tremendous honor for us to host the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States at our Academy to present commissions to the graduating class," said Coast Guard Academy Superintendent Rear Adm. Sandra Stosz in a statement. "This is an incredible opportunity for us to showcase the Academy and the city of New London to an international audience."

Inclement weather plans call for the graduation to be held in the Leamy Hall Auditorium, where seating will be limited.

Obama attended and gave a 20-minute speech at the academy's 130th commencement exercises in May 2011. He told graduates then that they were going into a dangerous world where the Coast Guard was needed more than ever.

The 2011 graduation had a less-than-perfect start due to a rainy forecast that forced the ceremony into Leamy Hall rather than outdoors on Cadet Memorial Field. Even Air Force One had difficulty that day because of the weather, aborting its first landing at Bradley Air National Guard Base and circling before landing safely.

The presidential party traveled from the airport by motorcade instead of helicopter due to poor visibility. The ceremony started about 45 minutes late.

j.bergman@theday.com

Twitter: @JuliaSBergman