Commencement 2017

From architects to actors, visiting luminaries had memorable words to share.

While trying to figure out her late father’s “dangerous secrets,” new graduate Betty Stearns discovered a world of endless possibilities.

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.

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.

Enjoy the sights as more than 60,000 people gather at the University Park Campus to congratulate the Class of 2017.

With expected humor and surprising insight, the featured commencement speaker keeps the crowd laughing.

The valedictorian’s commencement address looks at her classmates with admiration, and ahead to the future with wonder.

The university’s 134th commencement draws more than 60,000 people to the University Park Campus.

The comedian, a 1990 USC graduate, keeps the audience laughing but has some thoughtful observations, too.

? 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.