William M. Daley, the current White House chief of staff, will be the speaker at the 140th University of Illinois Commencement on May 15.

Daley, who replaced former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, started the position in January after being appointed by President Barack Obama.

Daley has previously served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Special Counsel to President Bill Clinton and campaign chairman for Al Gore’s presidential candidacy in 2000.

Babette Hiles, director of special events for the University, said there is no formal process of the decision on choosing a commencement speaker, and the decision is usually left to the chancellor.

“Throughout the course of the year he (the chancellor) received feedback and suggestions from students, faculty and alumni,” Hiles

said.

She added that this year the president’s office also became involved in the decision for the commencement speaker.

Daley will speak at the 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. ceremonies at Assembly Hall, according to a release from the University News Bureau.