On the heels of the announcement that Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard is retiring from the Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana University announced this week that the justice will address graduates at the Bloomington campus’ winter commencement Dec. 17.

IU President Michael A. McRobbie said that Shepard exemplifies the very best Hoosier values. “His achievements as a scholar, lifelong advocate for civility and professionalism in the legal community and a jurist of the highest order make him an inspiration not only to our graduating class but to the people of Indiana, whom he serves,” McRobbie said.

Shepard announced Wednesday that he was stepping down from the state’s highest court in early March after nearly 27 years as a justice.