Prepared and excited to become agents of change, more than 300 master's and doctoral graduates celebrated at the USC School of Social Work commencement ceremony on May 15.

It was a joyous and memorable moment as students stood as one and recited the National Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics.

" … I will work to help all people in need. I will work to reduce the social problems in our society. I will challenge injustice particularly to vulnerable and oppressed individuals …"

They then moved their tassels from the right to the left as applause erupted from the nearly 2,000 friends, family members and other supporters in attendance.

Earlier, graduates heard from student speaker Yvonne Cienfuegos-Mercado who said she was proud of herself and her graduating colleagues for completing their individual programs and committing themselves to making a positive impact on society.

"I know we will be the ones that will make true and effective changes in our environments," she said.

Laura Chick, MSW '87, the inspector general for the state of California, gave the keynote.

"Twenty-two years ago I was where you are … at that moment, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would have the honor of speaking to you at your graduation," she said. "It is a very, very special and valued occasion to me."

Chick, who in 2001 became the first woman elected to citywide office in Los Angeles, spoke to the Class of 2009 about the need for more good social workers in politics and government.

"We are educated and trained to be expert and professional problem solvers … and our nation needs problem solvers now more than ever," she said.

Chick ended her remarks by urging students to be "noisy, passionate, principled, tireless and effective advocates for positive change." She followed with a quote from renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead.

"'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.'"

More than 8,000 graduating Trojans, including some of those from the School of Social Work, participated in the university commencement earlier that morning where keynote speaker Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger outlined his six rules to success. The rules included trust yourself, break the rules, do not be afraid to fail, ignore naysayers, give back and "work your butt off."

"You can't climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets," the governor said.

Schwarzenegger received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, as did Frances Wu, the first Chinese-American to receive a doctoral degree in social work from USC in 1974.

Wu is known for her advocacy work for the Chinese elderly and philanthropy. She has personally endowed the Frances Wu Scholarship Fund in the School of Social Work. Also, the Frances Wu Chair in Social Welfare Policy and Services to the Chinese Elderly, the first chair named for a Chinese-American at USC, was endowed in her honor by the Chinese-American Golden Age Association.

President Steven Sample congratulated USC's 126th commencement class and encouraged them to "be positive, innovative and courageous."

"The world needs your ideas, your enthusiasm and your talent; it also needs your kindness, your curiosity and your desire to live a full and meaningful life," Sample said.