Master students at their commencement ceremony. (Photo credit: Magali Gruet)
There’s a particular magic to a USC Viterbi master’s commencement ceremony – the camaraderie that comes from being part of a cohort who have chosen to specialize in the same area of study. They’ve learned together and grown together – several will be continuing their career journey in step with one another, recruited by the same top companies.
At the USC Galen Center on 15 May, that sense of solidarity set the mood. Students seated by department and program radiated an energy of togetherness, magnified when they processed to receive their diplomas, decked out in the traditional black robes with cardinal and gold sashes, mortarboard hats and orange velvet hoods.
Some had chosen to up-style their regalia with a few custom touches. Duke Bristow Jr., an aerospace graduate recently profiled by USC Viterbi, had picked up a purple and yellow flower garland on the way to the Galen Center, while others added shine to their sashes with quantities of Mardi-Gras style USC beads.
Bristow, who completed his master’s remotely through USC Viterbi’s Distance Education Network (DEN) program while working full-time at defense contractor L3 Harris in Texas, had made sure to travel back to Los Angeles to be with his cohort for commencement.
