Jon M. Chu’s Commencement Speech Canceled by USC Amid Valedictorian Controversy
variety.comJack Dunn The University of Southern California has chosen to “release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year’s [commencement] ceremony,” which is set to take place May 10.
This includes “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu, who was slated as commencement speaker, and honorary degree recipients Billie Jean King, Maria Rosario Jackson and Marcia McNutt.
In a memo released Friday, USC said the decision was made “to keep the focus on our graduates…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.” The statement continued, “It is important that our full attention be on our remarkable graduates.
We will be celebrating their accomplishments in a way that reflects the unity we love so much about our Trojan Family.” This announcement came less than a week after USC sparked controversy by barring its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South-Asian American Muslim student, from delivering her commencement address.
Read more on variety.com