Apr 17, 2014 11:36 PM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

First Lady Michelle Obama will serve as commencement speaker for Dillard University, one of America's top black universities, New Orleans City Business reported.

Mrs. Obama will address approximately 240 graduating students along with their family and friends when she delivers the keynote address at Dillard University's graduation ceremony on May 10.  

Dillard University's graduation ceremony was chosen because the private four-year liberal arts university is supporting the First Lady's higher education initiative "and working to answer her husband's call to ensure that by 2020 America once again has the highest proportion of college graduates in the world," The Times Picayune reported.

Dillard University said Mrs. Obama continues to work on "issues such as supporting military families, helping women work to balance career and family, encouraging national service, promoting the arts and arts education and fostering healthy habits for children and families," the Associated Press reported.

Dillard University is a private four-year liberal arts historically black university with a history dating back to 1869.

Academically, Dillard is listed on: Forbes' 2013 list of Top Colleges and Universities in the U.S., top 60 liberal arts institutions by the Washington Monthly (2013), and is consistently one of U.S News and World Report's top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

Dillard University has also been fully engaged in the economic development of the Gentilly community in which it is located as well as the city of New Orleans.  Dillard University partners with 12 community organizations, businesses and local schools in implementing such projects as home buyer workshops, community health fairs, edible gardens and water sustainability. Its Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center also partners with local health institutions to study and address diseases such as diabetes, obesity and colon cancer, which are common to underserved individuals in the New Orleans community.

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