The School of Cinematic Arts, School of Dramatic Arts, Ostrow School of Dentistry, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, and Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy recently announced their commencement ceremony speakers.

Oscar-nominated director to headline SCA ceremony

Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman will be SCA’s commencement speaker, the school announced in a Tuesday news release. Cinematographer Alice Brooks will receive the Mary Pickford Alumni Award during the commencement ceremony, the release reads.

Reitman, a USC alum, is a four-time Oscar nominee, including two Best Director nominations for “Juno” (2007) and “Up in the Air” (2009), the latter of which won Best Screenplay at the 2010 Golden Globes. 

Brooks, also a USC alum, was the cinematographer of “Wicked” (2024) and “Wicked: For Good” (2025). The Pickford Alumni Award is awarded to SCA alumni whose contributions bring distinction to the University.

SCA Dean Elizabeth Daley said in the release that the presence of Reitman and Brooks at the commencement ceremony will be “inspirational.” 

“We are excited to welcome two of our accomplished alumni back to USC to help usher our latest cohort of graduating students into the professional world,” Daley said. “Jason and Alice are responsible for some of the most beloved films of the last few years, and are having the kinds of careers our students dream about.”

SCA will host its commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. on May 15 at Shrine Auditorium.

Emmy-winning writer named SDA’s commencement speaker

Emmy Award-winning writer, director and actor Danny Strong will be SDA’s commencement ceremony speaker, the school announced in a Thursday news release. 

Strong, a USC alum, is the writer and director of the Emmy-winning TV series “Dopesick,” which focuses on the country’s opioid crisis. He also co-wrote the screenplay for both parts of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” and played the character Todd Krakow in the TV series “Billions.”

SDA Dean Emily Roxworthy said in the release that the school is excited to welcome Strong back, and that his career is a “testament to what it means to be a true dramatic artist.” 

“[Strong’s career] is precisely the kind of multifaceted, boundary-crossing career we prepare our students for, and there is no better person to stand before our graduating class and show them what that path looks like,” Roxworthy said.

Strong will speak at SDA’s commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. on May 15 at Epstein Family Plaza.

Former American Dental Association president named Ostrow speaker

Carol Summerhays, dentistry industry leader and scholarship donor, will be Ostrow’s commencement speaker, the school announced in a news release. Summerhays served as the president of the American Dental Association from 2015 to 2016 and currently serves as the World Dental Federation’s treasurer. 

Summerhays helped to create two scholarships at Ostrow designed to help attract prospective students to the University, according to the release. She also supported Ostrow’s Mobile Dental Clinic that provides dental care for underserved communities.

Summerhays will deliver her speech during Ostrow’s commencement ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on May 15 at USC Village Great Lawn.

Former Olympian to speak at Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy ceremony

Robin Scholefield, a former Olympian, will speak at the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy’s commencement ceremony, the division announced in an April 6 news release. 

Scholefield won a bronze medal in swimming at the 1976 Montreal Olympics at 13 years old. 

Scholefield is now a clinical professor of psychiatry and the behavioral sciences and the co-executive director of the USC Athletics Performance Science Institute.

According to the release, Scholefield hopes graduates of the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy will embrace a physical therapist’s responsibility “with empathy and intention.” 

She will deliver her speech at 4:30 p.m. on May 15 in Bovard Auditorium during the division’s commencement ceremony.

American Occupational Therapy Association president named Chan’s speaker

Arameh Anvarizadeh, president of the American Occupational Therapy Association, will be Chan’s commencement ceremony speaker, the school announced in a March 27 news release. 

A professor of clinical occupational therapy at USC, Anvarizadeh has held leadership positions across many occupational therapy organizations. In 2021, she became the first Black and Iranian woman elected as AOTA president, according to AOTA’s website. She was also the youngest elected vice president in the organization’s history. 

Anvarizadeh also co-founded and developed a toolkit for the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity, a non-profit advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion in the occupational therapy professional space.

Anvarizadeh will speak at Chan’s commencement ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on May 15 at Epstein Family Plaza.