DANBURY, CONN. — As the world’s attention has turned recently to Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake there in January, one of the country’s native sons has become a vocal advocate in support of rebuilding his homeland. Wyclef Jean, multi-platinum recording artist and founder of the charity Yelé Haiti, will be the keynote speaker at Western Connecticut State University’s undergraduate commencement on Sunday, May 23.

WestConn President James W. Schmotter said Jean’s talk should prove to be inspirational.

“We’re excited that Wyclef Jean has agreed to speak at our undergraduate commencement ceremonies in May,” Schmotter said. “His artistic achievements and his long and impressive record of humanitarian work have recently been underscored by his role in galvanizing the international response to the terrible tragedy in his homeland. I know that he will bring a message that will engage and inspire our graduates and all in attendance.”

Born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Jean lived on the island of Haiti until the age of 13 when his family moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. He later lived in northern New Jersey. A singer-songwriter who also plays guitar, piano and drums, Jean began his music career as a member of The Refugee Camp (The Fugees) with Lauryn Hill and fellow Haitian immigrant Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, his cousin. The Fugees released “Blunted on Reality,” which peaked at No. 62 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart in 1994, and “The Score,” which became a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning album in 1996. A Greatest Hits album was released in 2003.

Jean launched his solo career in 1997 with the release of “Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival Featuring the Refugee All-Stars.” His albums that followed included “The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book” in 2000, “Masquerade” in 2002, “The Preacher’s Son” in 2003 and “Sak Pasé Presents: Welcome to Haiti” in 2004, which features many songs in his native language of Haitian Creole.

During the past decade, Jean has produced and written songs for several documentaries and major motion pictures, including “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Hotel Rwanda,” “The Agronomist” and “Ghosts of Cite Soleil,” as well as collaborative songwriting and recording efforts with rap and R&B artists including T.I., Lil’ Wayne, Niia, Akon, will.i.am and Ludacris. In 2007, he released “Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant.” The EP “From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion” was released in 2009 with Jean using the alias Toussaint St. Jean, his rap moniker. An eponymous studio album is expected to be released this year.

Jean established the Yelé Haiti Foundation in 2005 after the devastation caused by Hurricane Jeanne. The organization has continued to provide assistance to Haitians in the aftermath of the recent earthquake.

For more information, call (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.