Word from Widney

During the last week of April, the USC Alumni Association hosted two of its most important traditions. On April 28, we honored eight outstanding members of the Trojan Family at the 79th Annual USC Alumni Awards, our premier celebration of one of the university's most valuable and visible assets – our alumni. And earlier that week, on April 26, we welcomed our newest alumni, the Class of 2012, at our 4th annual Senior SCend Off barbecue. More...


Alumni Headlines

THE UNIVERSITY'S HIGHEST ALUMNI HONOR
One of the highlights of the 79th Annual USC Alumni Awards on April 28 was the presentation of the Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award. Sandy Bane accepted the award on behalf of her husband, Trader Joe's Chairman and CEO Dan Bane '69, from USC President C. L. Max Nikias.


CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2012!
The USC Alumni Association welcomes Class of 2012 graduates and their families to Widney Alumni House on Commencement Day 2012 Friday, May 11. Relax, enjoy refreshments and learn about the benefits of free USC Alumni Association membership.


A FESTIVE SCEND OFF
On April 26, nearly 1,200 graduating seniors enjoyed great food, fun giveaways and Trojan Family camaraderie at the 4th Annual Senior SCend Off, co-hosted by the USC Alumni Association and Society 53. View photos of the festivities here.


USC LAMBDA KICKS OFF ITS 20TH YEAR
The USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association kicked-off its 20th anniversary on April 29 with a campaign to raise $250,000, more than doubling its endowment. The campaign launch was followed by the 2012 Lavender Commencement celebration.



WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
Each summer, USC alumni clubs around the world host SCend Off receptions to welcome incoming USC students to the Trojan Family. SCend Offs help connect new students, their families and friends to local alumni and alumni groups. Click here to find a SCend Off near you.


$8 MILLION GIFT FOR NEW AQUATICS CENTER
Wilfred "Fred" Uytengsu '83 has contributed $8 million to fund the Uytengsu Aquatics Center. The gift is the largest ever made to the USC Athletic Department by a former student-athlete. Uytengsu was the captain of USC's swim team his senior year.


HOLLYWOOD GOES TO WASHINGTON
Hollywood's iconic Roosevelt Hotel provided the backdrop for a stimulating presentation by USC Dornsife professor Steven Ross about his latest book, Hollywood Left and Right: How Movie Stars Shaped American Politics, on April 18. View photos of the event here.


THE SPIRIT OF TROY IN LONDON
The USC Trojan Marching Band will visit the UK for a pre-Olympics tour, May 14-21. The Spirit of Troy will perform three concerts and receive private tours of Parliament and the Olympic Village. Click here for details about the band's 2012 world tour.


USC COACHES TOUR 2012
Lane Kiffin and Kevin O'Neill are coming to a town near you! Hear the latest from the inner circle as Kiffin, O'Neill and student-athletes give you the straight facts about what's in store for the upcoming season on the football field and the basketball court.


IN MEMORIAM: JUNIOR SEAU
On behalf of the Trojan Family, the USC Alumni Association expresses its condolences to the family of 'SC football great Junior Seau '89. Click here to watch this tribute video to the former NFL player who was inducted into the USC Hall of Fame in 2009.


PASSING THE SOCIETY 53 TORCH
We are proud to announce that Michelle Hess '13 has been selected as the 2012-13 president of Society 53, the USC Alumni Association's student outreach program. She succeeds Anthony Barkett '12, who served as the group's fourth president.


ALUMNI AUTHORS' "MUST-READS"
Now updated monthly, our popular alumni authors' "must reads" features the five desert island picks of Gloria Burgess PhD' 80, MBA '86 (Dare to Wear Your Soul on the Outside) for May.


REUNION WEEKEND 2012
Calling all grads from the classes of 1962, 1972, 1982, 1987 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


Michelle Bailey
Andrew Norman
Dave Stockton

Michelle Bailey MBA '95 received a 2012 Luminary Award from the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications. Andrew Norman '02, MM '04 will become the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's composer-in-residence in July.
Dave Stockton '64 received the 2012 PGA Distinguished Service Award.




Young Alumni Spotlight
LEVELING THE RECRUITING FIELD
Created by Brenton Sullivan '07 and Kai Sato '07 while they were still 'SC undergrads, FieldLevel is the first online coach-to-coach networking site where coaches can recruit and promote verified athletes in an atmosphere of compliance.



Alma Matters
Kay Named New Dean of USC Dornsife
Steve A. Kay has been appointed the 21st dean of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the university announced today. He will lead USC Dornsife starting this fall.

Theatre School Renamed USC School of Dramatic Arts
The USC School of Theatre, known for its notable alumni and faculty, will become the USC School of Dramatic Arts, effective July 1.

Football Players Prepare for Community Service in Haiti
Fifteen USC football players will travel to Haiti the week after Commencement to build houses and deliver supplies to the country destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake in 2010.

Tony Ciarelli Named AVCA National Player Of The Year
It is the seventh time--and second year in a row--that a Trojan has been National Player of the Year.