Tom Hanks to address Yale graduates

(CBS) Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks will speak to Yale University graduates at the annual class day ceremony on May 22.

Pictures: Tom Hanks
Pictures: An honor for Hanks

The class day speech is an important tradition at Yale, where there are no guest speeches at graduation.

Yale spokesman Tom Conroy confirmed that the class had invited Hanks, who won back-to-back Oscars for "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump," and that the 54-year-old actor had accepted.

Former President Bill Clinton was the speaker last year. Other speakers have included former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, author Christopher Buckley, and journalist Anderson Cooper.