USC alum and Trustee Rick Caruso named speaker for 2023 baccalaureate
The philanthropist and businessman will be honored and speak at the ceremony ahead of USC’s May 12 commencement.
Philanthropist and USC Trustee Rick Caruso has been selected to speak at the 2023 baccalaureate ceremony, part of a series of events leading up to USC’s 140th commencement.
Baccalaureate is a nondenominational, interfaith celebration open to all members of the USC Class of 2023 and their guests. It will be held in Bovard Auditorium at 5 p.m. on May 11, the day before commencement.
Caruso was recently awarded the Presidential Medallion, the university’s top honor, by USC President Carol L. Folt.
One of a family of Trojans, Caruso followed in his father’s footsteps by attending USC. He graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree and honors from the USC Marshall School of Business before he went on to complete a law degree at Pepperdine University.
Caruso joined the USC Board of Trustees in 2007, and he served as the board chair from 2018 until 2022. Caruso also is a former lecturer and has served on the Board of Councilors for the USC Price School of Public Policy.
Known for their devotion to faith and public service, the Caruso family endowed the USC Caruso Catholic Center and Our Savior Parish Church in 2006. The family endowed the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology at Keck Medicine of USC in 2015. The Carusos also have provided hundreds of scholarships through the Caruso Family Foundation.
Caruso’s philanthropy is rooted in faith. He was recognized by Pope Francis in 2016 as a Knight Commander in the Order of St. Gregory the Great.
USC baccalaureate speaker a business and community leader
A highly respected business and community leader, Caruso also is the founder and executive chairman of Caruso, one of the nation’s largest privately held real estate firms. The company’s signature holdings include The Grove, The Americana at Brand, Palisades Village, The Commons at Calabasas, The Promenade at Westlake, Waterside at Marina del Rey, 8500 Burton Way and Rosewood Miramar Beach.
No tickets are required for the baccalaureate ceremony. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
USC’s main commencement ceremony will be held the following morning at 8:30 a.m. at Alumni Memorial Park. Individual school ceremonies will follow.
