USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy named senior Sydnee Yu as its 2025 valedictorian, making her the only valedictorian honored at any USC graduation this year.
Yu, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in urban studies and planning and a minor in risk management, is set to deliver the valedictory address at the Price School commencement ceremony on May 16. Price is the only school recognizing a valedictorian this year.
“Each USC school is free to determine its own approach regarding student speakers at commencement. At the USC Price School, we’ve maintained the long-standing tradition of selecting a valedictorian, a decision rooted in honoring academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement. We selected a graduate speaker based on similar criteria,” a Price spokesperson wrote in a statement to Annenberg Media.
Earlier this year, USC announced the introduction of a student speaker at main stage commencement to replace the traditional valedictorian speech. The university has yet to announce the 2025 student speaker.
The shift comes after the university’s decision last May to cancel the commencement speech of Asna Tabassum, the class of 2024 valedictorian. The university cited safety concerns surrounding Tabassum’s pro-Palestinian social media activity as the reason for her speech’s cancellation, sparking controversy on campus and nationwide.
As part of this shift, the university will no longer name a valedictorian or salutatorian. The GPA requirement to be considered for the new speaker role has been set at 3.5, and any student meeting this can apply. Students must submit their 550-600 word speech before being considered.
In a statement to Annenberg Media, a Price representative said the school chose Yu as their valedictorian based on “academic accomplishments, resume highlights and contributions, impact on the university or broader community, demonstrated leadership and essay responses reflecting on their Price experience.”
Yu was an intern at National Science Foundation, an undergraduate teaching assistant, a research fellow for the Times Square Business Improvement District and coordinated a USC initiative that funds artwork addressing climate change, according to a feature article on the Price website.