While the focal point of Commencement 2025 is the main ceremony on Thursday evening, there are many activities earlier in the week. Chief among these is the Baccalaureate Ceremony on Wednesday, May 14.
Baccalaureate is a non-denominational, inter-faith celebration open to all students and their guests and is a wonderful opportunity to bless our graduates as they proceed with the next stage of their lives. The highlight of the ceremony is a keynote address from a specially selected Baccalaureate speaker, as well as the participation of numerous university dignitaries and the religious directors who work with our student groups. The service itself will feature music and will conclude with a benediction over the graduating students. Please note, tickets are required to attend this event; regalia for students at this ceremony is optional.
Baccalaureate Ceremony
May 14, 2025
Bovard Auditorium
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
To reserve tickets for this event, please register. Tickets will be sent a few days prior to the event.
Tickets are required; seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. No regalia required for students.
2025 Baccalaureate Speaker, Arianna Huffington
Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global and co-founder of HuffPost, has been selected to speak at USC’s 2025 baccalaureate ceremony, part of a series of events leading up to USC’s 142nd commencement.
Huffington is a globally recognized entrepreneur, author and advocate for well-being. She founded The Huffington Post, now known as HuffPost, in 2005 and later launched Thrive Global, a leading behavior change technology company dedicated to improving health outcomes and productivity. Thrive’s AI-powered platform helps individuals and organizations enhance well-being, performance and mental resilience at more than 200 organizations around the world.
Huffington has written 15 books, including the international bestsellers Thrive and The Sleep Revolution.
