Dick Durbin is the fourth Illinois senator to speak at Augustana's graduation, following Adlai Stevenson, Alan Dixon, and Mark Kirk.
He's also spoken to students in the past on topics such as education and debt, and has had Augustana students work as interns in his Washington D.C. office.
Senator Durbin, Augustana President Steve Bahls, and Dr. Millicent Knight will receive an honorary degree at the ceremony. She is the senior vice president of the eye care company Essilor of America, a 1982 graduate, and a member of the board of trustees.
Augustana's Commencement will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, at the TaxSlayer Center. Doors will open to the public at 1:15 p.m. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the college's YouTube channel.