Spring convocation provides an ‘official’ commencement for nearly 2,600 new Trojans

Bovard Auditorium on the USC University Park Campus was brimming with words of support, inspiration, and reflection on Tuesday afternoon. The approximately 2,600 new undergraduate, graduate, and professional students assembled there received an official Trojan greeting during a postponed spring convocation that held additional significance.

USC President Carol Folt was on stage with Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew T. Guzman and other university leaders for the convocation, signifying the official commencement of Trojans embarking on their academic journeys at USC as the spring semester begins.

Folt gazed out into the audience, characterizing the students and their families as a “beautiful spectacle.” She highlighted that nearly 100 of the new students are military veterans, members of the National Guard, or reservists. The incoming students hail from diverse backgrounds, various states, and over 100 different nations.

“Convocation symbolizes the formal beginning of your educational adventure and connects you to an unbroken lineage that has united students and scholars since the Middle Ages,” Folt stated. “Let’s reflect on those who aided you in reaching this point — parents, educators, coaches, tutors, mentors, everyone who has supported you. Today is a moment to express gratitude for them and all they have accomplished for you.”

Folt commented on the recent wildfires in Los Angeles at the start of her speech, clarifying that the unpredictability of these fires prompted the university to postpone the convocation.

She informed the students that they are now part of a tradition of Trojans worldwide who spring into action during times of urgent need.

“Thousands of individuals — including many Trojans — were uprooted, lost their homes, and in some cases, their lives,” she stated, adding that the Trojan Family L.A. Wildfire Relief Fund has contributed $1 million to assist Trojans thus far. “Our hearts are with them.”

During a deeply heartfelt invocation, USC Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni recounted “a surreal and unique experience” from 40 days prior when he and his family were compelled to evacuate their Pacific Palisades residence as flames approached their community.

“On that pivotal day, while we believed we were collecting our belongings, what we were truly yearning for was a sense of belonging,” Soni remarked. “In time, you will discover that the true reason for your presence here is not to obtain the legal documentation of life [such as diplomas and certificates] but rather to find the spiritual essence of life. At USC, you will create meaning, craft art, compose music, produce films, and forge friendships,

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“create time, forge memories and build a home.”

Soni advised the learners to prepare themselves for an expansive array of human feelings — spanning from sadness to victory, from setbacks to achievements, and from solitude to community. “This existential evidence of life will make certain that you prosper and thrive on campus, that you love wholeheartedly, that you care deeply, that you maintain your curiosity, that you read and contemplate, and most critically, that you come to understand that you are a part of USC and that USC is a part of you,” he mentioned.

USC’s new student convocation: Student leaders impart insights

Undergraduate Student Government President Brianna Sanchez and Graduate Student Government President Shahd Khalid Bawarith were among the prominent speakers. Sanchez, a senior specializing in legal studies at the USC Gould School of Law, stated that embracing her role as a student leader and stepping outside her comfort zone enabled her to achieve more beyond the classroom than she had originally expected. She urged others to follow suit.

“USC has prompted me to stretch my boundaries, to surpass what I thought was achievable, to envision larger dreams, and to embrace the opportunities that come my way,” she expressed. “I encourage each of you to leave this convocation feeling empowered to seize every moment during your time at USC, to confront every challenge, to find comfort in discomfort, and to treasure every instance of growth.”

Bawarith, who is pursuing her doctoral degree in biomedical engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, shared that she also commenced her studies at USC during a spring semester. She aimed to reassure students that their college journey would be just as enriching as anyone else’s.

“I recognize that starting in the spring might make you feel as though you’re perpetually catching up, that everyone is significantly ahead of you academically, and that friendships and communities have been formed without you,” she stated. “Do not measure yourself against others. You are not lagging. … Free yourself from that burden and simply enjoy your student experience.”

Students express gratitude for the ‘official’ commencement

Following the event, students and their families enjoyed a pizza celebration on the grounds outside the Bovard Administration Building. There were an abundance of hugs and selfies — and plenty of smiles.

Justin Koepke, a sophomore at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences majoring in history, participated alongside his parents and twin sister, Juliette Koepke, who began her journey at USC during her freshman year.

“I found it beautiful,” Justin Koepke remarked. “It feels like we have definitely crossed a threshold.”

His mother, Estelle Braaf, and father, Scott Koepke, both hold degrees from USC Gould.

“The ceremony was incredibly well-balanced and warm,” Scott Koepke commented. “To see it carried on even after the fires and occurring a month later truly exemplifies the commendable organization that USC represents.”

USC Viterbi freshman Maggie Zito from New York City mentioned she initially felt conflicted about the event. Although her entire family had come to assist her in settling in, they were unable to return for the convocation due to the distance.

“However, I appreciate that they offered a livestream so [my family] could still view it,” she shared. “It turned out to be an exceptionally enjoyable time, with a wonderful sense of community as everyone gathered in the same place.”

Freshman Alexandra Mallios from the USC Marshall School of Business, hailing from Washington state, felt sufficiently settled on campus to fully appreciate the convocation.

“The initial week with the fires was quite disheartening and frightening, to be honest,” Mallios stated. “We were primarily concerned about people’s safety at that time, and only afterward did we feel a bit disappointed about missing the convocation. Even if it occurred later, it’s wonderful to have it regardless.”