New London - Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver the keynote address during the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's 132nd Commencement Exercises May 22, the academy announced today.

"Commencement is always a special time here, but it is particularly memorable when the vice president of the United States is here to present the commissions to our new ensigns," Coast Guard Academy Superintendent Rear Adm. Sandra Stosz said. "This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the academy and the City of New London."

The commencement is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Cadet Memorial Field; attendance is by invitation only. Inclement weather plans call for the event to be held in Leamy Hall Auditorium. When President Barack Obama spoke at the 2011 commencement, ceremonies were forced indoors by weather.

Last year Vice President Biden delivered the keynote address for graduation ceremonies at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.