Photo Essay May

Commencement 2025

A night to remember.

USC’s 142nd Commencement – May 15

Fireworks light up the night sky over the LA Coliseum during the USC 2025 Commencement Ceremony and red-lit arches in the foreground.

(Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Under a star-filled sky at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Class of 2025 celebrated a rite of passage.

A large crowd of USC graduates in black gowns with red and gold accents gathers, taking photos and celebrating at the 2025 commencement ceremony.

(Photo/Henry Koffman)

USC graduates in red and gold regalia from the Class of 2025 smile and make the fight on hand gesture while entering the Los Angeles Coliseum for commencement.

Graduates embraced the joy of the moment and the excitement of the crowd — all 35,000 of them! (Photo/Steve Cohn)

Three USC graduates in red and gold regalia from the Class of 2025 smile and make the fight on hand gesture at a ceremony in the Los Angeles Coliseum, with a large crowd in the background.

(Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Excited USC graduates in red and gold regalia from the Class of 2025 cheer and raise hands at a ceremony in the Los Angeles Coliseum, with a large crowd in the background.

(Photo/Henry Koffman)

John Chu speaks passionately at a podium, wearing USC red and gold regalia, with microphones and a dark background at the Los Angeles Coliseum ceremony.

“Storytelling is both our greatest hope and our biggest battleground.” — Jon M. Chu ’03, Commencement speaker, 2003 alumnus and acclaimed film director. (Photo/Gus Ruelas)

The Los Angeles Coliseum entrance glows with warm lights, a torch atop, and 'FIGHT ON' formed by drones above, celebrating the 2025 USC commencement at night.

A graduate in regalia films fireworks lighting up the night sky during the 2025 USC commencement ceremony at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Pomp, circumstance, a drone show and fireworks. Uniquely USC! (Photo Left/Gus Ruelas, Photo Right/Henry Koffman)

Precious Moments

A walk to remember, sage advice and countless farewells. Congratulations and welcome to our newest “alums”!

Two joyful USC graduates in regalia hug in front of the Los Angeles Coliseum during the 2025 commencement, with others smiling nearby.

(Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Joyful USC graduates in red and gold regalia from the Class of 2025 celebrate with fight on hand gestures at the Los Angeles Coliseum commencement.

Excited USC graduates in red and gold regalia from the Class of 2025 cheer and make fight on gestures at the Los Angeles Coliseum commencement.

(Photos/Gus Ruelas)

Excited crowd cheers and takes photos at the Los Angeles Coliseum during the 2025 USC commencement ceremony, with hands raised in celebration.

Jubilation! (Photo/Gus Ruelas)

USC graduates in red and gold regalia fill the steps of the Los Angeles Coliseum during the 2025 commencement.

(Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Joyful USC graduates in red and gold regalia from the Class of 2025 make fight on gestures at the Los Angeles Coliseum commencement.

(Photo/Steve Cohn)

USC graduates in red and gold regalia carry heraldic flags into the Los Angeles Coliseum for the 2025 commencement ceremony.

All hail the heraldic flags! (Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Faculty in regalia sit on a red stage with banners of student organizations at the 2025 USC Baccalaureate in Bovard Auditorium.

USC President Carol Folt and keynote speaker Arianna Huffington shared inspiring words at the Baccalaureate Ceremony. (Photo/Steve Cohn)

Smiling USC graduates in red and gold regalia from the Class of 2025 sit in Bovard Auditorium during the 2025 Baccalaureate ceremony.

Arianna Huffington in USC regalia addresses the 2025 Baccalaureate at Bovard Auditorium, standing at a podium with the university seal.

(Photos/Steve Cohn)

A choir in black and red regalia sings passionately at the 2025 USC Baccalaureate in Bovard Auditorium.

(Photo/Steve Cohn)

A USC alumnus in red and gold regalia poses, revealing a USC Alumni shirt, while being photographed on campus.

(Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Family poses with a graduate in USC regalia and large photo cutouts of the graduate at the 2025 commencement celebration on campus.

(Photos/Gus Ruelas)

A graduate in USC regalia and a friend leap joyfully in front of Bovard Auditorium during the 2025 commencement celebration.

One small step for mankind, one giant leap for a Trojan! (Photo/Gus Ruelas)

A USC graduate in red and gold regalia dances with a friend on campus during the 2025 commencement celebration.

A proud parent hugs a USC graduate in red and gold regalia during the 2025 commencement celebration on campus.

(Photos/Gus Ruelas)

Bling-sational! (Photo/Gus Ruelas)