Jaren Lewison has been an actor much of his young life. Most recently, he garnered acclaim for his role as Ben Gross on the hit Netflix series Never Have I Ever, much of which he filmed while studying psychology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
On May 10, Lewison will take on a different role, this time as the commencement speaker for his alma mater’s graduation ceremonies on Allyson Felix Field May 10 at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. He will also receive the USC Dornsife Distinguished Alumni Medallion in recognition of his achievements as a USC Dornsife graduate.
Academic and acting achievement
When Lewison first stepped foot on USC’s University Park Campus as a freshman in the fall of 2019, few of his fellow students could have predicted what lay in store for him. He’d held roles in several television shows, including the children’s program Barney & Friends, as well as movies, but the previous summer had brought him what would become his breakout role.