Graduations starting this Friday at the University of Southern California (USC) will look different this year, but new graduates and parents will agree that the hassle is worth it.
As the university celebrates the 2020 and 2021 promotions, it will be a start of firsts.
Following California’s health and safety guidelines, ceremonies will be held twice daily with limited capacity and distance requirements over the course of a week, Friday through May 20.
For the first time since 1950, the ceremony will take place at the Los Angeles Coliseum and each graduate will cross the stage to earn their diploma.
The commencement will honor not only the Trojans of the 2021 promotion, but also the 2020 promotion, whose in-person ceremony was suspended due to the pandemic. The ceremonies will take place at the Colosseum, at 8 am and 3:30 pm, and will be broadcast live on the Internet.
The event will combine elements of the traditional USC main graduation ceremony with those of individual school and college ceremonies. Graduates will have the opportunity to move across the stage, hear their name announced, receive their diploma covers, and take photos as they are projected on giant screens in the stadium.
On these dates when thousands of students are graduating, one in particular can say that he has not only managed to obtain a diploma but has also turned his life around.
Participation is expected from all classes that graduated in 2020 and 2021, including international students who were allowed to travel to the United States.
Due to distancing requirements, it will not be possible to receive PhD candidates; Graduation ceremonies will be held in the future when restrictions are lifted.
Bina Venkataraman, an American journalist, author, and policy expert will deliver the commencement address Friday from the Colosseum. She is the editorial page editor for The Boston Globe, and previously served as the White House Senior Advisor for Climate Change Innovation.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, graduate and guest pre-registration is required; a maximum of two guests per graduate is allowed. Graduates and pre-registered guests will have received information with attendance requirements, including social distancing and the use of face covers.
Anyone who has not pre-registered will not be able to enter the Colosseum. Meetings are not allowed outside the stadium.
For complete information, visit the USC Commencement 2021 website by clicking here.
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