A Message from the Dean of Religious Life
Dear USC Parent:
For you and your special student, USC's 129th Commencement on Friday, May 11 will surely be a joyous occasion. The campus-wide ceremony, in all its grandeur, will be followed and complemented by ceremonies for the individual schools. Together, Friday's events will convey the university's pride in its new graduates and in its own academic stature. We look forward to sharing this important and meaningful day with you.
We hope also to share with you the Baccalaureate ceremony that traditionally precedes commencement. Taking place in Bovard Auditorium on Thursday, May 10, Baccalaureate begins at 5:00 p.m. and runs about one hour. The highlight of the ceremony will be a keynote address by television journalist Lisa Ling. The participation of numerous university dignitaries, as well as the religious directors who work with our student groups, will add luster to the occasion. The service itself will feature music and readings from a wide range of religious traditions, and conclude with a benediction over the graduating students.
Baccalaureate will be followed by a festive dinner for graduates and their families. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. Reservations will be available online through this website beginning February 21, 2012. Space is limited and last year's dinner filled to capacity, so we urge you not to delay in making your reservation.
Commencement stands as a culmination as well as a beginning. It is fitting to celebrate all that has been accomplished, learned and gained. It is also fitting to reflect and be thankful. Baccalaureate is a wonderful opportunity to bless our graduates as they proceed with the next stage of their lives. We sincerely hope that you will be able to participate in the university's commencement events, and that we may have the pleasure of greeting you personally at Baccalaureate.
Yours,
Varun Soni Dr. Michael L. Jackson
Dean of Religious Life Vice President for Student Affairs