USC Opening Ceremony was held in the gymnasium, a drone performance, fireworks

As thousands of families poured into the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium, the scene brought the feel of the usual college event held there: a football game.

“Fry! Water!” the supplier shouted out as the guests in the seat walked over, some of whom clung to the pom-pom. Then, as night fell, the USC battle song began to play – the Olympic torch towered over the gymnasium, infuriating cheers.

The wonder provided Rah-Rah page turn in a graduation controversy last year at USC.

In May 2024, the University of Southern California received widespread criticism for its handling. In the turmoil on campus over Israel’s protests in the Gaza war, President Carol Folt canceled the main ceremonies due to security concerns, and a speech to Valedictorian Asna Tabassum on Pro-Palestinian’s views.

As the four-day graduation ceremony rose on Thursday night in the 2025 grade, USC launched a major change to its long-term tradition. Arguably the biggest adjustment: abandoning the long-term campus campus alumni park for the huge gymnasium, as well as its stately red brick buildings and mature greenery.

USC also canceled its long-term practice and announced in February that there would be no speeches, nor would it accompany them. Instead of selecting graduates based primarily on academic grades, student speaker Meghan Anand selected from applicants with an average score of 3.5 and above, who submitted celebrating papers about the class.

However, for a university trapped in the Trojan tradition, the start of school has been forced to bend with the times.

Due to the 1921 pandemic, the 2021 gathering was relocated to the gym because of the size of the venue allowed a series of social distancing events. Last year, after canceling the start of the main stage, the university scrambled to host a “Trojan Family Graduate Celebration” in the gymnasium. It features drone performances, fireworks and free hats from rapper Travis Scott's clothing company. Feeling mixed together.

The heart of a day-long graduation celebration ahead of Thursday’s event, ending Wednesday, including more than 20 celebrations on and off campus – The New York Times interviewed five seniors who are about to graduate.

At the end of the 2025 opening ceremony in the gymnasium, USC graduates watched a drone performance.

(Yamada/Los Angeles Times)

Some say they would rather have a ceremony on campus, but the prospect of night celebrations will still include another well-designed drone show and a massive fireworks show.

Senior Michael Young, 21, said he was “excited by that drone show” and knew from football that the gym would provide a “celebrational atmosphere”, but added that he would miss the atmosphere at the Alumni Memorial Park.

“If we had it there, it would feel nostalgia,” he said. “Because, you know, we’ve been walking on that main road on campus, right? Sometimes we’re going to that library, right? We want to graduate from the exact steps we graduate.”

Several students also criticized the government for not naming the speaker or letting that person speak. Senior Nicole Concepcion said the decision was “another way for UC to really filter what they want to show everyone.”

“This year they're really trying to control it, which makes me mistakenly think it's wrong,” she said.

Others have pointed out that the pandemic has thwarted their face-to-face graduation in high school. They are happy to attend any gatherings to recognize their achievements. “Our high school graduation ceremony was influenced by Kuved, so I’m very happy to be at the big event,” said Jennie Duong, 22, senior.

USC said in a statement that this year’s start is a transfer to the elegant stadium on campus this year as it received feedback from graduates of the celebration last year who “loved drone performances and fireworks.” It was also moved to the gym because the event “has exceeded all the venues on our campus.” The university said it expects 50,000 guests to be on Thursday night. The number of attendees is available immediately.

As for the decision to abandon naming Valedictorian, the university noted that other universities have retired speech champions and wanted to “celebrate the achievements of a wider graduate student who has worked hard throughout our academic career.”

The gymnasium activities represent at least one way of a job at the University of Southern California. “Evil” director Jon M. Chu, who graduated from the USC School of Film Arts, gave a speech Thursday night after a planned opening ceremony for 2024.

Film producer Jon Chu threw out the “fight” sign after receiving his honorary doctorate at the opening ceremony of the USC.

(Yamada/Los Angeles Times)

“Your job is not just about inheriting a world, but reimagining it and laying the foundation for those who we move forward,” Chu told the graduate. “Because we live in moments where old stories about who we are and what we represent are collapsing.”

Beauty pageant and tradition

The main campus opening sessions at Alumni Park, which began about 75 years ago, are not lacking in decades of events and old world traditions.

The event usually begins with a parade that lets students flow out of the Bovard Administration building, with heraldic flags for various academic units of the university, followed by senior university leaders in Deans and other academic gowns and colorful hoods as “Fluffy and Environment”.

“it [was] Very traditional.

In the gymnasium on Thursday, some of these traditions are on display. For example, there are students with flags. And there are a group of VIPs.

However, there are usually no elements to see at the beginning – although any fans of the USC football team played in the gym may be familiar. Like those food vendors.

Two daughters of UC alumnus Ricchiazzi also graduated from college, condemning changes in the rupture of tradition. “It's not a football game at the beginning, and it shouldn't be done,” she said.

Students and alumni, including Ricchiazzi, said they believe the decision to hold the event in the gym was partly due to the high safety provided by the site equipped with metal detectors. On Thursday, guests were allowed to bring clear bags into the stadium, a policy deployed for other events.

Senior Lawrence Sung, 22, said he squeezed the start of the school year around campus at Ontario Safety Gates, but in the beginning, he understood the demand for strict restrictions. “For such a big event – graduation – I do see that,” he said.

Asked whether safety issues play a role in the decision to start to the gym, the USC referred to the New York Times a statement that said in part because the venue’s capabilities are suitable for its needs. The university said it would not disclose details of its security plans.

Lloyd Greif, an alumnus of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, said 2021 – the year when the gymnasium social distancing began – his two children graduated from business school, one with a bachelor’s degree and the other with a graduate degree. Greifs attended the event, which was great.

“I do like this environment,” Greif said. “Just like Memorial Park has a lot of history and traditions, so is the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium. ”

At the opening ceremony of the 2025 in the gymnasium, USC graduates will be recognized by them.

(Yamada/Los Angeles Times)

A tradition that has not changed recently: Affinity school opening celebration.

Although guidance from the Trump administration’s Department of Education showed that Black, Latino and other cultural affinity group celebrations were illegal forms of segregation and stimulated cancellations elsewhere in the United States during the start, the USC program continued its activities, all of which were welcomed.

“We are very excited”

Lavanya Sharma, 21, was selected as the flag bearer and was in the parade for the stadium celebrations.

Her parents were immigrants from India, and Sharma was the first person in his family to graduate from an American university. The gymnasium seems cool for the school opening venue, she said.

“Very few students are able to get into the field,” she said. “And I really started to see the gym as part of USC. I’ve been here a lot of … football games hosted by USC.”

Concepcion, a Filipino American, can make connections. She is also the first person in her family to graduate from an American university. She plans to attend several ceremonies, including a gathering for students of Filipino descent, which she says is called “P-Grad.”

But she said she had told her parents that she wasn't sure if she wanted to go to the main school.

Her parents didn't.

“They're like, 'No, we'd love to do it,” Concepcion said.

Time worker Jaweed Kaleem contributed to the report.