Congratulations to the Class of 2024
By Deanna Gasparyan
USC Thornton shares photo highlights from the 2024 Honors Convocation and Commencement
The spring semester ended on a high note with a week of festivities to celebrate the Class of 2024. USC Thornton held its 69th Annual Honors Convocation on May 9, followed by the 141st Commencement Ceremony on May 10. Family, friends and university leadership gathered at both events to honor the outstanding achievements of our graduates, as well as the incredible work of faculty and staff.
Commencement day featured an inspiring speech from acclaimed composer Michael Abels (‘84) who received the USC Thornton Outstanding Alumnus Award. During the speech, he shared personal anecdotes about his musical journey and encouraged graduates to stay true to their artistic purpose in the pursuit of success.
“Many inspirational speakers will tell you that failure is a required step along the way to success. I can only add that, in the arts, failure and success may also be the same thing. Your most embarrassing professional experience may be the one that brings you the greatest accolades, and your magnum opus may be greeted with stony silence,” Abels said.
“Through it all, don’t lose sight of your declaration—that you are an artist, or helping bring artistic expression into the world, and you will not allow life to separate you from your joy.”
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All photos by USC Annenberg master’s student Willow Cai & Michael Jimenez.
