Graduation spectacle with a drone display: USC overhauls ceremony amidst last year's turmoil

Thousands Gather at Coliseum for USC Grads Amid Tradition Shifts

Megan Johnson A renegade student, Meghan Anand, firmly stood out as the Commencement speaker after USC threw away the old tradition of selecting a Valedictorian to deliver an address.

Throngs of families surged into the heart of LA, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, for USC's marquee commencement on a crowded Thursday night. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the usual spectacle held there: a football game.

"Chow down on Churros! Stay hydrated!" vendors hollered as they darted between seated spectators, some waving pom-poms in the air. Then, the USC fight song echoed around the Coliseum as dusk settled - and the looming Olympic Torch above the stadium was ignited, sending ripples of excitement through the crowd.

This grand spectacle was a rousing finish to the drama that unfolded during USC's graduation controversy the previous year.

Back in 2024, USC was met with wide-reaching criticism for their handling of the commencement ceremony. In the midst of campus protests over Israel's war in Gaza, President Carol Folt canceled the main ceremony - along with the valedictorian Asna Tabassum's address - due to safety concerns. Tabassum had expressed pro-Palestinian views[5].

With the four-day graduation ceremonies buzzing into high gear on Thursday, USC unveiled significant changes to an age-old tradition. Perhaps the most substantial adaptation: abandoning the historic on-campus commencement venue, Alumni Park, in favor of the cavernous Coliseum.

Alongside this shift, USC announced in February that they would no longer choose a Valedictorian and hence, no commencement speech would be delivered[2]. Instead, student speakers were selected from applicants who penned celebratory essays about their class.

Despite the university's rich history of cherishing Trojan traditions, even before last year, commencement had already been adapting to the modern era.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 graduation gathering was relocated to the Coliseum because its massive space allowed for a series of socially distanced events[1]. Last year, after the main-stage commencement was canceled, USC hastily organized a "Trojan Family Graduate Celebration" at the Coliseum, featuring a dazzling drone show, fireworks, and free merchandise from Travis Scott's apparel company[1]. Public opinion on this event was divided.

In anticipation of Thursday's event—the climax of a multi-day graduation extravaganza that kicked off on Wednesday and winds down on Saturday, involving more than 20 celebrations taking place on and near campus—The Times interviewed five graduating seniors about the grand occasion.

Some students admitted they would have preferred an on-campus ceremony, yet the chance to witness another eye-catching drone show and a massive fireworks extravaganza still tickled their fancy. Senior Michael Young, 21, acknowledged that the Coliseum would provide an electrifying ambiance, as he was familiar with the venue from football games, but he lamented the lack of sentimental memories associated with Alumni Park.

"If we had it there, it would just feel nostalgic," he sighed. "Because, you know, we wander those main thoroughfares of campus all the time, right? We occasionally step into that library. We're eager to graduate on the exact steps we trod to accomplish graduation."

Several students also criticized the administration's decision to disregard a Valedictorian and forego their speech, insisting it was just another way for USC to control the proceedings[6]. Senior Nicole Concepcion highlighted that the university was trying to manipulate the displayed image[6].

However, other students saw the administration's steps as an attempt to recognize the achievements of a wider range of students, rather than singling out a select few based mainly on academic grades[6]. "I'm overjoyed that we're getting a grand event," said senior Jennie Duong, 22.

In a statement, USC explained that the commencement was moved to the campus-adjacent stadium this year partly because feedback from last year's Coliseum celebration "and loved the drone show and fireworks" had been positive[1]. It was also relocated to the Coliseum because the event "has outgrown all venues on our campus." The university mentioned that 35,000 people attended the festivities on Thursday night[1].

Concerning the decision to forgo selecting a Valedictorian, USC disclosed that other universities have also retired the valedictorian title, and they wished to "celebrate the accomplishments of a broader range of our graduating students." Meanwhile, actor and USC alumnus Jon M. Chu delivered a speech at the ceremony, which had been initially scheduled for 2024 but was later canceled by the university even before the Alumni Park ceremony was scrapped[3].

Tradition Takes a Back Seat

The main-stage campus commencement gatherings at Alumni Park, which began approximately 75 years ago, weren't short on grandeur or tradition.

The event would typically begin with a procession that saw students march out of the Bovard Administration Building, displaying heraldic flags for the university's academic units, followed by deans and other senior university officials in academic gowns and vibrant hoods as "Pomp and Circumstance" played[4].

"It was very traditional," said Annette Ricchiazzi, who worked for USC in events during the 2000s and helped produce commencement events. It offered "the sense of what a graduation ceremony should be."

At the Coliseum, some of that tradition was on display, albeit in a slightly altered form. For instance, students were still carrying flags, and there was a procession of dignitaries[4]. However, amid the novel elements—such as the food vendors and fireworks—traditional hallmarks were few and far between[4].

Ricchiazzi, a USC alumna whose two daughters also graduated from the university, bristled at changes that broke with tradition. "Commencement is not a football game - and it shouldn't be," she relayed[4].

Critics argued that the decision to hold the event at the Coliseum stemmed from its enhanced security features, equipped with metal detectors[4]. On Thursday, attendees were restricted to clear bags, a policy already in place for other events at the Coliseum[4].

Senior Lawrence Sung, 22, admitted that he disliked the security measures USC implemented at the start of the school year, but for a grand event like graduation, he justified the necessity of tight constraints[4].

businessman and USC alumnus Lloyd Greif, founder of the Marshall School's Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, approached the situation from a different angle. In 2021—the year of the socially distanced graduation ceremony at the Coliseum—two of his children graduated from the business school, one with a bachelor's degree, the other with a graduate degree. Although they attended the event, he admitted that Alumni Memorial Park had many historical and sentimental values[4].

One tradition that persisted: affinity commencement celebrations. Despite guidelines from the Education Department under the Trump administration suggesting that Black, Latino, and other cultural affinity group celebrations during commencement were illegal forms of segregation, USC had no intention of cancelling these events[7].

A Gratifying End

Lavanya Sharma, 21, was among those in the procession that commenced the Coliseum celebration. Her parents are immigrants from India, and Sharma was the first in her family to graduate from a U.S. university. Sharma found the Coliseum an appropriate setting for such a historical event.

"It's not often that students get the opportunity to set foot on the field," she said. "And I've really started to view the Coliseum as part of USC."

Concepcion, who is of Filipino descent, appreciated the sentiment. Yet, she had initially been unsure about attending the main commencement. Her parents, however, insisted they wanted to be part of the experience[4].

The program concluded with a breathtaking drone show, eliciting thunderous cheers from the audience.

Intricate, illuminated drone formations took shape, proudly displaying USC's well-known emblems—Traveler, the horse; the Trojan helmet[4]. The school's marching band played a mix of pop tunes as the lighted drones moved rhythmically, bathing the crowd in a symphony of colors.

"It was impressive, no question about that," said Nina Gifford, grandma of a graduate.

Finally, a fireworks display exploded above the Olympic Torch, bathing the masses in red and gold light. On the field, graduates raised the V sign popular at USC sporting events.

For victory.

Times staff writer Jaweed Kaleem contributed to this report.