University of Southern California The USC Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering USC
The USC Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering
Current Students
Prospective Students Current Students Alumni & Friends
Undergraduate Students
First Year Excellence
Advisement & Academic Services
Viterbi Academic Resource Center
Career Services
kiuel
Progressive Degree Program
Center for Engineering Diversity
Honors Program
Women in Engineering
Minor Programs
Research
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Undergraduate Bulletin
Commencement
Student Awards & Recognition
Overseas Program
Master's Students
PhD Students
Student Organizations
Career Services
Commencement

Home > Current Students > Undergraduate Students > Commencement > Commencement Day Instructions

Commencement Day Instructions

Main Ceremony
Viterbi Undergraduate degree candidates should attend both the Main University Ceremony and the Viterbi Undergraduate Ceremony. The Main Ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. in Alumni Park.
 
Students are to arrive early, line up, and process as candidates in the Viterbi School into Alumni Park. Students need to be lined up by 8:00 a.m. to begin the processional at 8:30 a.m.  We also strongly recommend that parents and guest arrive by 7:00a.m.  Parking and seating is limited.
  
The Main University Ceremony will feature a keynote speaker,  the University Valedictorian, and the recognition of the 2008 honorary degree recipients.  Individual students will not be recognized at this ceremony.  The Main Ceremony is expected to conclude by 10:10 a.m.
 
Viterbi Undergraduate Ceremony
The Viterbi Undergraduate Ceremony will take place immediately following the Main Ceremony.  Faculty Marshals will lead degree candidates in a processional from the Main Ceremony to the Viterbi Undergraduate Ceremony, which will take place in Archimedes Plaza (E-Quad).
 
  • Tickets are not required for guests attending Viterbi Undergraduate Ceremony.  Although the number of guests is not limited, seating will be limited and we recommend that guests arrive early.
  • All degree candidates must arrive and be seated (by department) for the ceremony by 10:30 a.m.  Once degree candidates are seated and the platform party arrives, the formal program will begin.
  • During the ceremony there will be an address from Dr. Yannis C. Yortsos, Dean of the Viterbi School of Engineering, and a valedictory speech.  Students who are recipients of Viterbi senior awards will be recognized and then the conferring of degrees will begin. 
  • Graduate Information Card - All Viterbi undergraduate candidates will receive a Graduate Information Card when they arrive from the Main Ceremony.  Upon taking their seats, students must fill out the card completely.  First, this card is used to announce each degree candidate’s name on stage.   Second, each degree candidate will be photographed twice as he/she walks across stage.  The photography company will collect these cards and send the proofs of these photos electronically and through the mail based on the information provided on the card.
  • Departments will be asked to stand individually for recognition.  Students will walk up to the front of the stage area with their department.  All degree candidates will receive a diploma cover right before their name is announced.  Degree Progress will send the actual diploma approximately two months later. 
  • Once a student's name is announced, he or she will walk acrose stage and shake hands with their respective department chair (or faculty member.  Students will then proceed a few steps where the will be photographed.
  • After being photographed, degree candidates must return to their seats immediately until the conclusion of the ceremony.
  • There will be a formal recessional at the end of the program in which faculty marshals and Viterbi staff will lead students towards the reception area.

 

All graduates and their guests are invited to the Viterbi Undergraduate Commencement Reception immediately following the ceremony.