Chapel Hill, N.C. — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will deliver the spring commencement address at the University of North Carolina in May. 

Chancellor Holden Thorp, who will preside over the May 13 ceremony at Kenan Stadium, chose Bloomberg in consultation with the university's commencement speaker selection committee, a group made up of students and faculty. 

"Mayor Bloomberg has had an extraordinary career in business, philanthropy and public service," Thorp said in a statement Monday. "We're honored that Mayor Bloomberg accepted our invitation to speak. He will help make Commencement very special for our graduates and their families and friends."

Bloomberg was first elected mayor of New York City in 2001, just two months after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, a time when many believed that crime would return, businesses would flee and New York might never recover. Instead, through hundreds of innovative new policies and initiatives, Bloomberg is credited with making New York City safer, stronger, and greener than ever.

Bloomberg will also receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at the commencement ceremonies in May.