Congratulations, Class of 2024!
Congratulations to the USC Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science Class of 2024 on your momentous achievement! Relive this special day by watching the Viterbi School of Engineering ceremonies:
Thanks for the memories!
It was truly heartwarming to see more than 2000 graduates and their families come together to celebrate this special achievement at our departmental reception. Wishing you all the success in the world!
Meet the Class of 2024
Sticking the Landing: Mastering Skating, Surfing and Computer Science
"Mathematics is the foundation of the world," says Marta Davila Mateu, who received her master's in computer science.
"I was a very curious kid. I liked telescopes because I wanted to look into space. I liked microscopes because I wanted to look at small things. And I always loved building things.
I think that’s why I love theoretical computer science. Professor Mukund and I have spent many hours on the whiteboard making algorithms. Like, actually making them. We’re not making them with wood. But we’re making them with numbers, ratios and relations. We’re making them with our brains."
Changing Course: From PR to Data Science
"I’m glad that I’m here to be a Double Trojan," says Natalie Fung, who graduated with a master's in communication data science after a life-changing accident.
"When I was an undergrad, I thought I would already have a stable job with healthcare and my own house by now: But things change. And even though things didn’t work out like I had originally planned, I can honestly say that I am looking forward to seeing where my new life takes me.
Coming back to USC has been a very full-circle experience."
Conducting My Life: Finding Community in Music
First-gen transfer student Carlos Ramirez found an "outlet and safe space" in choir at USC and landed his dream job after graduation.
"Looking back, I never thought I’d be graduating college, have a nice job lined up, and have had so many wonderful experiences.
When I’m looking back at my life when I’m much, much older, I want to have the fondest memories of all the cool things I did, the wonderful places I’ve been, and the close relationships I’ve cultivated along the way."
Carrying the Torch: When Leadership is "In The Blood"
Jevon Torres, National Society of Black Engineers USC Chapter President, is proud to walk in "footsteps close to home," graduating with a bachelor's in computer science and business administration.
"I grew up in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. So, South Jersey, close to Philly. I really got into computer science in late middle school, when I had the chance to take a computer programming class.
I liked the problem-solving. I liked the challenge. If you have an idea of something that you want to create, 99% of the time, through computer science, you can make it happen.
I still feel that way."
Award Winners
Undergraduate
- Computer Science (CSCI) Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: Grace Shan
- Computer Engineering/Computer Science (CECS) Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: Anisha Venkata Palaparthi
- Computer Science Games (CSGA) Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: Clement Jacky Chan
- Computer Science/Business (CSBA) Outstanding Student Award: Mellissa R Zhang
Master's
- Best Computer Science Research Award: Kexin Zheng
- Best Computer Science Research Award: Seung Heon Lee
Doctoral
- Jenny Wang Excellence in Teaching Award: Curtis Ryan Bechtel
- Best Research Assistant Award: Defu Cao
- Undergraduate Mentoring Award: Emily Thanh Nguyen
- Viterbi Graduate Mentorship Program Outstanding Mentor Award: Abrar Anwar