Deepak Chopra, an iconic author integrative medical pioneer, will deliver the 134th baccalaureate ceremony address for the 2017 USC graduates and their families. The nondenominational interfaith celebration will be held on May 11 at the Bovard Auditorium.
The USC commencement event will confer more than 15,000 degrees, USC News reported. Some of the degree candidates will be conferred at the main ceremony or at one of the satellite ceremonies held in various University Park and Health Science campuses. The commencement address will be delivered by Will Farrell, who is a Mark Twain Price recipient and is a nominee for Tony and Emmy awards.
Chopra has authored more than 85 books translated to 43 various languages. 24 of these books are included in the list of New York Times best-sellers. One of his renowned scientific theories is how humans can prevent aging with the help of an ancient Indian meditation technique called AyurVeda, Daily Trojan reported.
He founded the website The Chopra Foundation, which aims to enhance health and well-being among its followers. It is also dedicated to promoting world peace, expanding consciousness, and improving ones spirituality. He also founded The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, which promotes self-awareness and well-being by offering meditation and yoga sessions.
Presently, Chopra is a professor at the University of California and the Sand Diego School of Medicine. He is also a researcher at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He pioneered the philosophy of integrating ancient healing principles and modern science. The University's Center for Integrative Medicine also shares the same philosophies with Chopra.
With these credentials, he is easily one of the best choices to deliver the baccalaureate keynote. Time magazine even describes him as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century." After the ceremony, the baccalaureate dinner will be held on Pardee Way at 6:30 pm.
