DETROIT -- John Edwards, the vice presidential candidate on the 2004 Democratic ticket, will deliver the Wayne State University Law School commencement address on Monday, May 16, the university has announced. The commencement exercises will be held at 8 p.m. at the Detroit Opera House.

Edwards, who was selected by Sen. John Kerry to be his running mate in the 2004 presidential race, is currently director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina. He served a six-year term in the U.S. Senate from North Carolina and did not seek reelection to that body in 2004. He served on several Senate committees, including the Select Intelligence and Judiciary committees. A co-author of the Patients\' Bill of Rights, he also wrote bioterrorism and port security measures that were passed by the Senate.

During the annual WSU Law School commencement program, the 51-year-old attorney and widely-known politician will speak about the critical issues facing our country today as well as the importance of inspiring people to work to fight poverty and move more people into the middle class.

\"We are pleased that Sen. Edwards will be participating in this milestone event in the lives of future attorneys who will be graduating from our law school in May,\" said Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid.

\"With his background as a successful lawyer who also has served in the halls of Congress, the senator is well-equipped to offer insights and advice from the perspective of a person experienced in the practice of law as well as the political milieu.\"

The son of a mill worker, Edwards was the first in his family to attend college. He earned a bachelor\'s degree from North Carolina State University and a law degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, both with honors. As an attorney before beginning his public service career, Edwards gained prominence representing children and families who were hurt by the negligence of others. He is widely regarded as a prominent leader in the Democratic Party.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education, offering more than 350 academic programs through 12 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students.