USC holds special celebrations during Commencement week to recognize cultural communities, academic achievements, and other important milestones. Reference the list below for event details, locations, and how to participate.
USC Athletics Graduate Celebration
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Galen Center
An invitation-only ceremony for graduating athletes, hosted by USC Athletics.
Baccalaureate Ceremony
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Location: Bovard Auditorium
Tickets are required; seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. No regalia required for students.
Commencement Celebration – Hosted by Asian Pacific American Student Services and the Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 1:30 p.m.
Location: Founder’s Park
Open to all graduating students who register to participate and to all USC community members to attend. For information and to RSVP, contact: apass@usc.edu, (213) 740-4999.
Commencement Celebration – Hosted by the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs and the Black Alumni Association
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
Location: McCarthy Quad
Open to all graduating students who register to participate and to all USC community members to attend. For information and to RSVP, contact: cbcsa@usc.edu, (213) 740-8257.
Commencement Celebration – Hosted by La CASA and the Latino Alumni Association
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Location: McCarthy Quad
Open to all graduating students who register to participate and to all USC community members to attend. For information and to RSVP, contact: lacasa@usc.edu, (213) 740-1480.
Commencement Celebration – Hosted by the LGBTQ+ Student Center and the Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Location: Ronald Tutor Campus Center Ballroom
Open to all graduating students who register to participate and to all USC community members to attend. For more information and to RSVP, contact: lgbtqplus@usc.edu, (213) 740-7619.
Phi Kappa Phi Initiation Ceremony
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 1:30 p.m.
Location: Bing Theater
An invitation-only ceremony honoring new Phi Kappa Phi honor society faculty and student initiates, hosted by the Phi Kappa Phi Society. Contact: pkp@usc.edu.
USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study, USC Libraries Ceremony
Date: Thursday, May 15th, 2025, 9:30 a.m.
Location: Doheny Memorial Library, Room 240
This is an invitation-only ceremony honoring Harman Academy students who have completed the Academy’s Fellow program requirements.
Student Recognition Awards Ceremony
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 11:30 a.m.
Location: Bovard Auditorium
An invitation-only ceremony for graduating students, hosted by USC Student Life.
Commencement Celebration – Hosted by the Veterans Resource Center and the Alumni Veterans Network
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 11:30 a.m.
Location: Ronald Tutor Campus Center Ballroom
Open to all graduating students who register to participate and to all USC community members to attend. For more information and to RSVP, contact: vrc@usc.edu or (213) 740-8605.