USC graduates, families converge on Coliseum to cheer student achievement amid political turmoil

The moment arrived Thursday night for USC graduates — but not the way the Class of 2024 had envisioned it mere weeks ago.

Weeks ago, the 143-year-old private university proudly trumpeted the details of its annual university-wide commencement, featuring high-profile speakers, distinguished honorees and the usual pomp and circumstance, including speeches from top students.

But that tradition was scuttled amid bitter division over a valedictorian’s cancelled speech, a wave of campus pro-Palestine protests...