2017 USC Commencement Speakers Salute Grads with Lessons and Laughs
From architects to actors, visiting luminaries had memorable words to share.
5 Inspiring Quotes From Will Ferrell’s 2017 Commencement Speech
The USC alumnus and commencement speaker gave the Class of 2017 insights and laughs.
Dad’s mysterious past inspires his daughter’s future — in engineering and beyond
While trying to figure out her late father’s “dangerous secrets,” new graduate Betty Stearns discovered a world of endless possibilities.
USC Libraries celebrate students’ scholarly success
Top thinkers are acknowledged at ceremonies honoring Phi Kappa Phi initiates, Polymathic Academy fellows and the newest names on Leavey Library’s Wall of Scholars.
Faces, and stories, in the crowd: Proud parents, Army buddies and more
From the family that flew in from Japan to the first-generation graduate whose girlfriend had to work, there were plenty of stories to share Friday. Here are a few of them.
USC commencement 2017: The day in pictures
Enjoy the sights as more than 60,000 people gather at the University Park Campus to congratulate the Class of 2017.
Will Ferrell: ‘It is incredibly surreal … that I get to deliver this address to you’
With expected humor and surprising insight, the featured commencement speaker keeps the crowd laughing.
Cooper Nelson: ‘USC has shaped, inspired and challenged us’
The valedictorian’s commencement address looks at her classmates with admiration, and ahead to the future with wonder.
Trojans, including Will Ferrell, honor Class of 2017: more than 17,000 graduates
The university’s 134th commencement draws more than 60,000 people to the University Park Campus.
Wisdom from Will Ferrell: Gags and guidance from his USC commencement address
The comedian, a 1990 USC graduate, keeps the audience laughing but has some thoughtful observations, too.
Gates Millennium Scholars commit themselves to service and leadership at USC
✌ Class of 2017: The university is a key partner in the national scholarship program, which has awarded more than $1 billion to 20,000 students since 1999.
Friday’s the big day: What you need to know about USC commencement 2017
Don’t worry about the weather this year. Traffic? That’s a different story, especially because of road projects around the University Park Campus.
When Trojans span generations, commencement becomes a family affair
✌ Class of 2017: Brynn Evans is graduating Friday, and her grandfather won’t be far away: As a Half Century Trojan, he’s walking in the ceremony, too.
Valedictorian Cooper Nelson plans to go Hollywood — but can always fall back on law
✌ Class of 2017: Her USC adventure has stretched from cinema to history, with a little Voltron and Bigfoot thrown in for good measure.
MBA student combines education and enterprise to guide teens toward college
✌ Class of 2017: The daughter of migrant farm workers is opening a company aimed at helping the underserved.
Salutatorian Amanda Semler dives into a future in marine science
✌ Class of 2017: Her home state of Minnesota is about as far from the ocean as you can get, but her experiences at USC showed the sea was her true calling.
Salutatorian Jordan Kondo left his Hawaii home and hasn’t stopped traveling — or learning
✌ Class of 2017: He says USC’s interdisciplinary outlook and short-term international programs changed his entire career trajectory.
Trailblazing Navy officer finds new mission at USC Marshall
✌ Class of 2017: After almost three decades of military service, a Navy commander focuses on entrepreneurship.
Globetrotting Trojan proves research isn’t just for grad students
✌ Class of 2017: Johanna Reyes is making an impact from Mexico to Cuba, and intends to do even more.
Scholar without borders bridges three continents to improve health care
✌ Class of 2017: Jack Huebner aims to advance medicine in sub-Saharan Africa.
Deepak Chopra named USC 2017 baccalaureate speaker
The medical pioneer and best-selling author will deliver the keynote at the nondenominational interfaith celebration.
USC announces six honorary degree recipients for 2017 commencement
Recipients include a social work visionary, a leading researcher in the fight against AIDS, a spinal surgery innovator, an award-winning actress, the chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and a popular comedy star.
Comedy star Will Ferrell tapped as USC’s 2017 commencement speaker
Actor, producer, internet pioneer and USC alum returns to his ‘old school’ to regale this year’s graduating class.