USC Gould School of Law Class of 2008 Commencement
Friday, May 16, 2008, 3:30 p.m.
Announcements/Invitations
Students will receive ten complimentary commencement announcements for the law school ceremony in late March. A sign-up sheet will be available for those requesting additional announcements. Extra announcements are limited.
Additional announcements can also be ordered online through the USC Bookstore. Click here for more information. Note: The bookstore announcements are slightly different from the ones the law school will provide you.
Caps and Gowns
Academic regalia should be rented from the USC Bookstore beginning April 30th. Be sure to order early, as they may run out of red doctoral (J.D.) gowns. Please make sure you receive a dark purple (not lavender) hood and a yellow (not black) tassel.
Arrival
Students must report to the law school foyer no later than 2:30 p.m. on May 16th. It is important that you arrive on time as it takes a considerable amount of time to line up all of the graduates.
Family and friends should be seated by 3:00 p.m. so commencement can begin promptly.
Location
The ceremony and reception will take place in McCarthy Quad. This venue is located on the University Park Campus near the law school. Click here for campus map.
Parking
Parking will be FREE of charge on Commencement Day. Click here for driving directions and map.
Rain
The ceremony will take place outside rain or shine. Please check the forecast and come prepared.
Commencement Speaker
This year's keynote speaker will be Erwin Chemerinsky, the Alston & Bird Professor of Law and Political Science at Duke Law School. Click here for more information.
Tickets
Not required for the ceremony or the reception.
Photographer
Professional commencement photographer, Bob Knight Photography, will take individual pictures of each graduate as they receive their diploma and cross the stage. These pictures will be available for purchase directly through Bob Knight Photography.
Webcast
For those who are unable to attend the ceremony, the law school will provide a live webcast. Click here to go to the live webcast.
Video
A complimentary DVD of the ceremony will be sent to each graduate after the event.
Post-Ceremony Reception
Immediately following the ceremony in McCarthy Quad, graduates and their guests are invited to attend a reception with light refreshments. Graduates will turn in their caps and gowns, pick up their diplomas and receive a gift from the law school.
USC's Main Commencement Ceremony
The USC 125th Commencement Ceremony will take place on the same day, Friday, May 16, 2008 in Alumni Park. The procession will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. Click here to go to USC's Commencement Ceremony site.
More Information
Students will receive a Commencement handbook in late March which will provide more detailed information. For specific questions, contact the USC Law Events Office.
