Deepak Chopra named USC 2017 baccalaureate speaker

Deepak Chopra, a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation, will deliver the 2017 baccalaureate ceremony keynote for USC degree candidates and families.

The nondenominational interfaith celebration will be at 5 p.m. May 11 at Bovard Auditorium. The baccalaureate dinner will follow at 6:30 p.m. on Pardee Way.

Chopra, founder of The Chopra Foundation and co-founder of The Chopra Center, is one of the world’s foremost presenters and speakers. He is board-certified in internal medicine, endocrinology and metabolism. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, clinical professor at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, researcher of neurology and psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

Chopra is also the author of more than 85 books, including 24 New York Times best-sellers translated into over 43 languages.

Time magazine has described Chopra as “one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.”

Will Ferrell, a recipient of the Mark Twain Prize and a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor, will deliver the commencement address on May 12.

More than 15,000 degrees will be conferred during USC’s commencement this year, either at the main ceremony in Alumni Park or at one of the satellite ceremonies across the University Park and Health Sciences campuses.

Degree candidates, Half Century Trojans, faculty and distinguished guests will form a processional leaving Bovard at 8:30 a.m. USC President C. L. Max Nikias will preside over the main ceremony at 9 a.m. in Alumni Park.

For more information about commencement events, visit the USC commencement website.