LATINX/E GRADUATE CELEBRATION
Established in 1972, the Latinx Graduate Celebration honors 450 graduating students’ personal and academic achievements. The Latinx Graduate Celebration is open to all graduating USC students (including undergraduate, graduate/doctoral candidates) completing a degree in the spring, summer or fall term.
This bilingual celebration is the most anticipated event of the year and is dedicated to our hardworking graduating students, and their friends and families. This special ceremony is meant to commemorate the perseverance and triumph of our Latinx students, while also celebrating their diverse cultural roots.
Events are open to all USC students. La CASA operates its programs in accordance with USCs Notice of Non-Discrimination.
44th Latinx/e Graduate Celebration Informational Video
44th Latinx/e Graduate Celebration Invitation
43rd Annual Graduate Celebration Recap!
Thank you to everyone who came to our 43rd Annual Latinx/e Graduate Celebration Ceremony! Gracias a todos los que vinieron a nuestra ceremonia de graduacion!
Please enjoy this video showing our graduation ceremony, live performances, and many of our graduates and speakers.
We hope you enjoy!
Interview with Leticia Delgado
Mayte Carrillo from Annenberg Media hosted a podcast with La CASA’s Center Supervisor, Leticia Delgado! The two discussed the importance and tradition of the Latinx Graduation Celebration. Click play to have a listen and learn more about the most anticipated cultural event of the year, the Latinx Graduation Celebration.
Interview with George Pla
La CASA is so proud to have the support of USC Alumn George Pla. Mr. George Pla is a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and author, and a co-founder of the USC Latino Alumni Association. He is the Founder and CEO of Cordoba Corporation, a nationally recognized engineering firm, whose innovative leadership was the subject of a Harvard Business School case study.
A life-time Trojan, George Pla’s connection to USC runs deep and spans close to five decades. In fact, the entire Pla family are Trojans. George met his wife Gail at USC, and later their son and daughter also graduated from this esteemed institution.
George is a member of the USC Widney Society and the USC Scholarship Club. He is a USC Presidential Associate, and serves on the Board of Councilors for Price School of Public Policy and the USC Viterbi School – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
For his philanthropy and community service, he has been honored by USC with the “Alumnus of the Year Award” and, is also a 2019 “Price Pioneer” for exemplary professional leadership and dedication to diversity.
George is a Trustee of the California Science Center Foundation, where he chaired Cordoba Corporation’s historic transport of the Space Shuttle Endeavour through the streets of Los Angeles.
Appointed by Governor Newsom, Mr. Pla is currently the President of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission, host of the 2028 LA Summer Olympic Games.
George Pla is the co-author of the formative book on Latino politics, Power Shift – How Latinos in California Transformed Politics in America which recounts the history of Latino political empowerment in California and beyond.
The California Latino Legislative Caucus presented George with the distinguished Latino Spirit Award in the State Capitol for his achievements in business and philanthropy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Graduate Celebration will take place Thursday, May 9th, 2024 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (PST) and be held at Allyson Felix Track & Field. You have until Friday, April 19th at 5:00 PM (PST) to register to participate in the ceremony.
Any USC student (undergraduate or graduate/doctoral candidate) completing a degree in Summer 2023, Fall 2023, or Spring 2024. Although this ceremony does have a cultural emphasis, it is open to all USC students.
Participation is FREE.
Register through this link by Friday, April 19th at 5:00 PM (PST).
We encourage all graduates to wear their academic regalia (cap & gown) for this event.
Two graduates will serve as MC for the evening. All graduates are eligible to apply. Finalists will audition for the Graduate committee.
One graduate will address the class and audience with a 5 minute speech.
The Class Speaker application is currently closed.
The ethnic sash pre-order is currently closed.
The celebration is funded by La CASA in partnership with the Latino Alumni Association. The ceremony is planned by La CASA staff members and the Latinx Graduate Celebration Committee; faculty, staff and students.
Absolutely! As long as it is not happening at the same time (most don’t), you should be all clear to participate in both graduations!