USC Releases Commencement Speakers From Scheduled Appearances
deadline.comIn the wake of its decision to cancel a pro-Palestinian valedictorian’s commencement address, the University of Southern California has released other speakers from their commitments to address attendees.
Entertainment industry figures scheduled to appear included director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) and producer Miky Lee of Korea’s the CJ Group, which gave the world the Oscar-winning film Parasite.
The school said it would confer honorary degrees and other awards at a later date. USC issued a statement today addressed to its class of 2024 explaining its decision. “This year, more than ever, it is important to keep the focus on celebrating our graduates and their accomplishments, and our belief in their capacity to change the world that awaits them. “To keep the focus on our graduates, we are redesigning the commencement program.
Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement program, university leadership has decided it is best to release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year’s ceremony.
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