The main Commencement ceremony on May 12 opens with a procession beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by remarks by university leadership, the conferring of honorary degrees, addresses by the the valedictorian and commencement speaker, and the formal transition—the turning of the mortarboard tassel from right to left—that marks the moment when members of the current graduating class officially become USC graduates and alumni.

Following the main Commencement ceremony, each Academic School hosts their own ceremony, usually followed by a reception. The Academic School Ceremony is an opportunity for each program to celebrate as a cohort group, hear remarks from a speaker related to their chosen disciplines, and honor each graduate as that individual walks across the stage to receive congratulations from the platform party.

Family and friends of all our graduates are warmly welcomed to the University Park Campus for the University Commencement Ceremony and to the ceremonies of the Academic Schools.

We look forward to seeing you on this milestone occasion. Congratulations to all the members of the Class of 2017!