USC Releases Commencement Speakers From Scheduled Appearances

In the wake of its decision to cancel a pro-Palestinian valedictorian’s commencement address, the University of Southern California has released other speakers from their commitments to address attendees.

Entertainment industry figures scheduled to appear included director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) and producer Miky Lee of Korea’s the CJ Group, which gave the world the Oscar-winning film Parasite.

The school said it would confer honorary degrees and other awards at a later date.

USC issued a statement today addressed to its class of 2024 explaining its decision.

“This year, more than ever, it is important to keep the focus on celebrating our graduates and their accomplishments, and our belief in their capacity to change the world that awaits them.

“To keep the focus on our graduates, we are redesigning the commencement program. Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement program, university leadership has decided it is best to release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year’s ceremony. We’ve been talking to this exceptional group and hope to confer these honorary degrees at a future commencement or other academic ceremonies.”

The commencement will feature a main-stage ceremony and 38 satellite ceremonies, five celebrations, and 65 receptions.

The school promises additional updates next week. The main commencement is scheduled for Friday, May 10. Other ceremonies will be held May 8-11.

USC previously canceled the 2024 valedictorian speech of Muslim student Asna Tabassum, who has been accused of being antisemitic. The university cited safety concerns. That move has led to rumblings of a boycott of ceremonies.