The USC School of Cinematic Arts has introduced that Miky Lee will ship the 20024 Commencement handle.
James Gray, director, author, and SCA alumnus, will obtain the Mary Pickford Alumni Award on the commencement ceremony on the Shrine Auditorium on Friday, May 10, 2024.
“Miky Lee is a true pioneer and ambassador of collaborative global filmmaking, and we are so happy to have her share her insight and expertise with our graduating students,” Elizabeth M. Daley, Dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, mentioned in a press release. “Miky works across borders, cultures, and genres, and champions the kinds of projects our students aspire to creating. We are so pleased she agreed to be this year’s graduation speaker.”
SCA alumnus Jon M. Chu, who graduated in 2003 with a BFA in movie & tv manufacturing, will converse at this yr’s primary, university-wide graduation ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at Alumni Park.
As Commencement Speaker, Lee joins a current record of celebrated leisure figures together with Brian Grazier and Ron Howard, Matt Reeves, Ryan Coogler, Jon M. Chu, Paul Feig, Jim Gianopulos, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Donna Langley, Barry Meyer, Ron Meyer, Sumner Redstone, Jay Roach, Stacey Sher and Laura Ziskin.
The Mary Pickford Alumni Award pays tribute to USC alumni whose achievements deliver particular distinction to the School and to the business. Previous recipients of the honour embrace Prentice Penny, Kevin Feige, William Fraker, Conrad L. Hall, Ray Harryhausen, Alan Ladd Jr., Jon Laudau, Michelle Manning, Walter Murch, Shonda Rhimes, Jay Roach, Gary Rydstrom, Stacey Sher, John Singleton, Lee Unkrich, Matthew Weiner, David L. Wolper, Brian Grazer, Robert Zemeckis, Laura Ziskin, Melissa Rosenberg, Susan Downey, Jennifer and Suzanne Todd, Amanda Silver, Leslie Iwerks, and final yr’s recipient Tracy Oliver.
USC additionally confirmed that their 2024 valedictorian speech had been canceled after Muslim pupil Asna Tabassum was accused of being antisemitic.
The college cites security considerations over banning Tabassum from delivering her commencement speech.
“While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety,” Provost Andrew Guzman mentioned in a assertion. “This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation — including the expectations of federal regulators — that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe.”
Guzman continued, “It applies the same values and criteria that we have used in the past to guide our actions. In no way does it diminish the remarkable academic achievements of any student considered or selected for valedictorian. To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.”