LATINE GRADUATE CELEBRATION
Established in 1972, the Latine Graduate Celebration honors 450 graduating students’ personal and academic achievements. The Latine 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 Latine 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 Annual Graduate Celebration Recap!
Thank you to everyone who came to our 44th Annual Latine 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 15, 2025 from 3:30-5:00 pm and be held at the McCarthy Quad
Any USC student (undergraduate or graduate/doctoral candidate) completing a degree in Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025. Although this ceremony does have a cultural emphasis, it is open to all USC students.
Participation is FREE.
Registration for the ceremony will start January 2025. Instructions will be announced via email and Instagram.
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 will start February 2025.
Pre-orders will open February 2025.
The celebration is planned by La CASA staff members and the Latinx/e Graduate Celebration Planning 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!
Mccarthy quad has a capacity of 4,500. There is no limit on guests.