New Beginnings

Spring convocation heralds growth and change for the latest crop of Trojans.

On a cold January morning (at least by Southern California standards), USC’s newest students received their official warm welcome into the Trojan Family with encouragement and a reminder to take chances that lead them outside their comfort zone.

USC President Carol L. Folt and other university leaders greeted more than 2,000 incoming undergraduate, graduate and professional students during the spring new student convocation.

“Welcome to L.A.,” Folt said. “You made a great choice.”

Each year, several hundred Trojans start in January. This year, they represent approximately one-fifth of the 2022-2023 first-year class, along with more than 1,200 graduate and professional students. Spring convocation — held for the first time in the Galen Center instead of Bovard Auditorium — officially launched those students on their USC academic journey.

Folt highlighted the incredible diversity of the new Trojans, who include transfer students, almost 100 veterans and students from 40 countries. “USC is filled with extraordinary people with varied backgrounds and so many different experiences,” she noted. “Hone your skills, try new things and take intellectual challenges. … You’re going to find your own big moment.”

Upon entering the lobby of the Galen Center, students were directed to find an academic black robe in their size to wear during the event. The robes have traditionally been part of the fall convocation but not the spring event — until this year.

For first-year student Riya Duddalwar, a computer science and business administration major, it was an enriching experience.

“The ceremony helped to create this sense of community — especially with all of us wearing the same garments,” she said after the event. “Yesterday, I was feeling a little bit of imposter syndrome, like I maybe don’t fit in here, but I feel more part of the Trojan Family now.” GREG HERNANDEZ

New Trojans By The Numbers

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS percent started spring 2022-2023

25% percent are international students students students

NINETEEN FOURTEEN

Some details about the students who joined USC during the spring semester: first-gen first-gen

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS

1,264

FIFTY-SIX PERCENT FIFTY-TWO PERCENT from California from California percent started spring 2022-2023

34% percent are international students

Twelve Thirty

SOURCE: USC OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH