CEDAR CITY, Utah-Per news released Thursday morning, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will serve as the commencement speaker at Southern Utah University Friday April 28.

SUU President Mindy Benson confirmed the Cedar City, Utah-based university is “delighted to welcome Elder Holland” as this year’s commencement speaker.

The St. George, Utah  native was ordained as an Apostle in 1994 and had previously served as the ninth president in the history of Brigham Young University of Provo, Utah.

He is a graduate of BYU, earning his bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in religious education at BYU. He also earned a master’s and doctor of philosophy degree in American Studies from Yale University of New Haven, Conn.

Benson and a representative from the graduating class of 2023 will also speak during commencement exercises along with Elder Holland.