Word from Widney

Every year, the Trojan Family comes together to celebrate one of USC's most revered traditions: the USC Alumni Awards. First presented during the 1932 Commencement exercises in the Coliseum, the USC Alumni Awards do more than just recognize the extraordinary accomplishments and dedicated service of Trojans to their alma mater; they also demonstrate how our great university enriches the world through the contributions of our alumni. More...


Alumni Headlines

2012 LOS ANGELES TIMES FESTIVAL OF BOOKS
Come to campus and hear some of today's most provocative writers read and discuss their work; meet alumni authors; pick up a commemorative bookmark at the USC Alumni Association booth; donate to a book drive benefitting the USC Family of Schools; and get discount tickets to the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes in Bovard (enter promo code #BPUSC).


JOIN US FOR THE 79th ANNUAL USC ALUMNI AWARDS!
Don't miss the USC Alumni Association's premier event of the year, when we honor eight outstanding Trojans, including this year's Asa V.. Call Alumni Achievement Award honoree,
Trader Joe's chairman and CEO Dan Bane '69. Space is limited, so please RSVP today.


USC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MARKS FIRST SCERVICE DAY
Kudos to the more than 1,500 Trojans worldwide who rolled up their sleeves to volunteer for local community service projects during the first USC Alumni Day of SCervice on March 24. Click here to view photos of alumni giving back to their local communities and neighborhoods.


GALA SEASON IN FULL SWING
The USC Latino Alumni Association kicked off spring gala season on March 2 with its annual scholarship dinner. The USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association and the USC Black Alumni Association followed March 22 at Town & Gown and Bovard Auditorium, respectively.



USC IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS
Our "USC in Your Neighborhood" lecture series hits the road, bringing USC Marshall's Adlai Wertman (pictured left) to
Houston, Dallas and Phoenix April 11-May 16, and USC Lusk Center for Real Estate director Richard Green to Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago and Philadelphia April 19-July 11.


CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS AT USC
USC trustee William J. Schoen '60, MBA '63 and his wife, Sharon, have made a $10 million gift to the university in support of military veteran scholarships. Their gift will increase The Schoen Family Scholarship Program for Veterans Endowment established in 1986.


PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE
In homage to their alma mater, two USC Dornsife alumni serving overseas fly the American flag in the Afghan war. It's a gesture by two remarkable young men that has touched the hearts of their former USC professors.


IN MEMORIAM: ALBERT BRECHT
On behalf of the Trojan Family, the USC Alumni Association expresses its condolences to the family and friends of Albert Brecht, former associate dean of USC Gould School of Law, two-term USC Lambda LGBT Association president and 2008 USC Alumni Association President's Award honoree.


2012-13 USCAA BOARD OF GOVERNORS NOMINATIONS DUE
April 13 is the submission deadline for membership on the 2012-13 USC Alumni Association Board of Governors. Candidates must have leadership experience; professional, social and alumni contacts; and a demonstrated commitment to USC. Download forms here. For more information, call (213) 740-7873.


ALUMNI AUTHORS: THEIR FIVE "MUST-READS"
As we countdown to the April 21-22 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC, we're asking our alumni authors to pick their five "must-read" books. Read the picks of acclaimed novelist Adrienne Sharp here. And check out our new titles by Trojan writers.


REUNION WEEKEND 2012
Calling all grads from the classes of 1962, 1972, 1982, 1982 and 2002: Reunion Weekend 2012 is November 9-10. If you're interested in volunteering for the 50th, 40th, 30th, 25th or 10th class reunion committees, call (213) 740-2300.




Trojan Alum-inaries


Dean Heller
John Iino
Forest Whitaker

U.S. Senator Dean Heller '85 (R-NV) will receive an Alumni Merit Award at the 79th Annual USC Alumni Awards. John Iino JD '87 has been named the Los Angeles managing partner of the global law firm Reed Smith. Forest Whitaker '82 co-chairs JuntoBox Films, which gives filmmakers a chance to build their ideas on a social platform.




Young Alumni Spotlight
ALL THAT JAZZ
With her sizzling mix of hot beats, Latin and samba rhythms and captivating melodies, Jessy J (Jessica Arellano '01) is taking the jazz world by storm. The USC Thornton grad and saxophonist-singer-composer has released three bestselling albums and will launch her tour in May.



Alma Matters
Castells Honored With Prestigious Holberg Prize
Manuel Castells, a USC University Professor and the most cited communication scholar in the world, has been awarded Norway's 2012 Holberg International Memorial Prize, a $775,000 accolade that recognizes outstanding scholarly work in arts and humanities, social science, law and theology.

KCET's Open Call to Feature USC Arts Schools
Open Call, a new KCET-TV series featuring Southern California schools and arts institutions, will showcase the talent of USC students in the arts, starting April 5 at 9 p.m. with a program of student films.

Fubon Financial Chairman Daniel M. Tsai Is USC Trustee
Daniel M. Tsai, chairman of Fubon Financial, Taiwan's second largest financial services group, has been elected to the USC Board of Trustees.

USC Defeats Pepperdine 5-4
Bobby Wheatley throws a perfect three innings in first career start.





Trojan Travel
TROJAN TRAVEL
Grab your Swiss Rail pass and get ready to Discover Switzerland (departs August 8). Or board the M. S. L'Austral to explore Island Life in Ancient Greece and Turkey (departs October 11), featuring former White House Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer. For complete details, visit Trojan Travel online or call (213) 821-6005.




USC Athletics
HOOP DREAMS IN HAWAII
Cheer the Men of Troy to victory in the Aloha State, when they compete in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational this fall. And take advantage of ticket and travel packages to enjoy Hawaii's fabled hospitality and tournament hoop action, as 'SC goes up against such teams as UNC and Illinois.