USC Installs Beong-Soo Kim as 13th President
The university officially welcomed its new leader during a ceremony held at Alumni Park.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in People
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The University of Southern California formally installed Beong-Soo Kim as its 13th president. An estimated 4,500 people attended the investiture ceremony in Los Angeles.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a new chapter for the institution as it prepares for future academic initiatives and its upcoming sesquicentennial. Kim officially transitions from the interim role he held since July 2025.
The investiture featured a presidential sequence order of 13th and drew 4,500 guests. USC now looks ahead to its 150th anniversary milestone scheduled for 2030.
The players
Beong-Soo Kim
He serves as the 13th president of the University of Southern California.
Suzanne Nora Johnson
She is a university official who participated in the presentation of the presidential medallion.
David Bohnett
He is a prominent figure who helped present the presidential medallion during the ceremony.
The details
During the event at Alumni Park, Suzanne Nora Johnson and David Bohnett presented Kim with the presidential medallion. The ceremony included speeches from leadership and a musical performance featuring Kim on the cello alongside students.
Timeline
July 2025: Beong-Soo Kim began serving as interim president.
February 2026: Kim received his permanent appointment.
October 16, 2026: The formal investiture ceremony took place at Alumni Park.
2030: USC will celebrate its 150th anniversary.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition aligns USC with broader trends in higher education executive stability and long-term strategic planning. It positions the university to leverage internal continuity as it competes with peer institutions for academic prominence.
The new presidential administration will oversee upcoming changes to the undergraduate general education curriculum. Students and faculty can expect shifts in academic programming as the university prepares for its 150th anniversary in 2030.
The takeaway
The formal investiture highlights the university's focus on maintaining leadership stability during a period of curriculum transition. Students should track upcoming department updates as the new administration begins to implement its long-term academic strategy.
Further reading
For more information on campus leadership, visit the Los Angeles People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Trojan.
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