During the new student convocation, Trojans receive motivating messages and share stories of camaraderie and achievement

Accounts of significant Trojan teamwork and success engaged an audience of over 13,000 attendees at USC’s autumn convocation — the formal academic introduction for newcomers.

On Thursday morning, educational leaders and the heads of USC’s 23 colleges joined USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim at Alumni Memorial Park on USC’s University Park Campus for this occasion.

“When you enroll at USC, you’re not just becoming part of a university with remarkable educators, an unparalleled variety of courses and a football team set to excel this year,” Kim remarked during his opening address. “You’re also joining a community rich in tradition, impact, and legacy — traditions like the convocation that unites us today.”

He reminded the new students that they are now members of a Trojan Family that boasts more than 500,000 individuals: “Whatever you choose to do in your lives, starting today, you are — Trojans for eternity.”

Kim then recounted the inspiring tale of two new students who participated in their own USC convocations in previous years: film director Ryan Coogler (Sinners, Black Panther, Fruitvale Station) and two-time Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson (Oppenheimer, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever).

The two alumni, who have forged one of the most prolific creative collaborations in Hollywood, met on campus early in their academic journeys during a game of billiards. Coogler — attending the USC School of Cinematic Arts — hailed from the Bay Area, while Göransson — a USC Thornton School of Music student — originated from Sweden.

“Before long, you couldn’t distinguish between them,” Kim said. “The roommate-matching algorithm wouldn’t in a hundred years have paired these two together. But guess what? They ended up as roommates.”

It’s a reminder, Kim noted, that “each of you will meet individuals here at USC who will transform your lives in ways you cannot yet comprehend.

“Perhaps you’ll change your perspective on something, or perhaps you’ll influence someone else’s,” Kim continued. “Maybe you’ll discover something new about the world, or perhaps you’ll learn something new about yourself. You may even collaborate on a blockbuster film together, or perhaps you’ll…

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Create something equally precious: a lifelong companion.

“Similar to Ryan and Ludwig before you, each one of you will discover your own melody here at USC,” Kim stated. “But you won’t uncover it solo. You will find it by participating, listening, and blending your brilliant concepts with others that are even more extraordinary. It’s this essence of cooperation and compassion for one another that makes USC and our Trojan Family remarkably resilient and unique.”

Insightful thoughts from student leaders and faculty

During his opening remarks, USC Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni urged students to wholeheartedly embrace aspects they can influence — such as their values and studies — alongside how much happiness they nurture, how thankful they are, and how much positivity they radiate.

“At USC, you’ll soon understand that while you cannot oversee everything, the aspects you can oversee hold tremendous power,” he mentioned.

In their addresses, Undergraduate Student Government President Mikaela Bautista and Graduate Student Government President Janielle Cuala both shared wisdom from their experiences at USC with the new Trojans.

“I’m thrilled for you to experience the full strength of the Trojan Family as I have — the guides who mentor you, the peers who motivate you, and the connections that will unlock doors you never thought conceivable,” Bautista, a senior at the USC Marshall School of Business.

Cuala, a doctoral candidate at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, advised the new students to “be gentle with yourselves.”

“You’re here to learn, to make errors and to evolve, not to achieve perfection,” she expressed. “Prioritize your well-being: When you feel good, you perform well.”

The faculty speaker, Distinguished Professor Maja Matarić of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, wished the new Trojans a “journey filled with opportunity, connection, and development.”

“What you choose to do will only hold significance if you do it purposefully, with determination, allowing you to engage and care, which will provide you with a sense of direction,” Matarić, the founding director of the USC Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center and co-director of the USC Robotics Research Lab, noted. “That’s the key ingredient.”

‘You are the class that shapes the future’

USC Marshall alumnus Bobby Pinckney captivated the audience with his thought-provoking speech. He commenced by pointing out that there is no doubt “you’re experiencing confusion from the conflicting messages” prevalent in the world today.

“One week you read that a degree is crucial, and the next that it’s worthless — that you should master coding,” Pinckney articulated. “Then there’s talk that AI renders coding redundant. That your voice matters. That democracy is fractured. That you can save the world. That climate change is already irreversible.”

His perspective: “Nobody truly knows. Nobel laureates are searching for ChatGPT tutorials. Your parents are asking you how TikTok functions. And the admired CEOs are in urgent meetings trying to determine the future.”

Pinckney, who graduated in 2020, soon made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List. He is the co-creator of the music discovery application Discz along with fellow USC graduate Michelle Yin. Since his graduation, over 20 million people have utilized his creations.

“That uncertainty you’re experiencing? It’s authentic,” he noted. “Yet it’s also your advantage. You don’t need to visualize the entire path. Just have faith in yourself to take the next step. … You are the class that defines what’s to come.”

Pinckney reflected that his achievements and his time as a Trojan taught him to “keep moving forward” even when everything seemed unclear.

“The true USC lesson is when the front door is closed, you don’t wait for someone to unlock it,” he expressed. “You create a new entrance. And trust yourself to know which one to construct.”

Students and parents uplifted by the event

While they have yet to attend their initial class, the new Trojans expressed enjoyment in wearing academic gowns, participating in the procession into Alumni Memorial Park, and being welcomed into Trojan life with uplifting words.

“It was a great experience for everyone to gather and listen to these remarkable individuals speak,” stated USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences student Alejandro DeLeon, from Carpenteria in Santa Barbara County. “It instills in me a sense of pride in being part of this family, and I’m immensely excited for the next four years.”

USC Dornsife freshman Allison Buck, who recently moved to campus from Chicago, noted that Pinckney’s words resonated deeply.

“He truly inspired me,” Buck remarked. “The most valuable thing we will gain from this is learning how to navigate our own paths instead of adhering to what we have always known.”

USC Marshall student Elijah Furar, hailing from Laguna Beach, expressed similar sentiments regarding Pinckney’s address.

“He encouraged us to stretch the limits of possibility and to pursue our passions,” Furar conveyed. “I am a business major, but I am also a songwriter and aspire to enter the music industry. I aim to connect with diverse communities.”

Furar’s father expressed his gratitude for the opportunity for his son and the other students to hear stories of achievement and motivating words.

“This is a fantastic way to begin their journey,” said Ian Furar, a 1996 graduate of the USC Price School of Public Policy. “There’s a wealth of opportunity, and you must get involved. If you do, you’re likely to reap the rewards.”