Lesley University is holding its 2012 Commencement on May 19 at the Bank of America Pavilion, spokeswoman Amanda McGregor said Thursday. The university will be conferring more than 2,300 degrees this year, including 33 doctorate degrees, 1,899 master’s and 456 bachelor’s.

The ceremony for graduates from Lesley’s Graduate School of Education and Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences will begin at 10 a.m. Graduates will be addressed by two honorary degree recipients: Kati Haycock, president of The Education Trust and one of the nation’s leading education advocates; and the Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, co-founder of My Sister’s Keeper, a faith-based, multiracial collective helping women around the world.

The ceremony for Lesley’s two undergraduate schools, Lesley College and The Art Institute of Boston, will begin at 2 p.m. Honorary degree recipients Xu Bing, an internationally acclaimed installation artist, and education professor Mary Mindess, a 53-year member of Lesley’s faculty, will address these graduates.

“Commencement is not a celebration of completing a course of education, but the beginning of the exciting next chapter of lifelong learning and careers that create a positive impact,” said the university’s president, Joseph B. Moore. “In markedly different ways, each of this year’s honorary degree recipients exemplify the values that define a Lesley education: public services, embracing the arts and playing a role in building stronger communities. We look forward to welcoming these accomplished individuals as they share their experiences with our graduates.”

This post was written from a press release.