Word from Widney



On February 18, USC President C. L. Max Nikias led a delegation of trustees, deans, faculty and administrators on a historic, 10-day journey to India to promote USC and establish academic partnerships. USC trustee Ratan Tata was our extraordinarily generous host for this fascinating trip to the world's largest democracy. Not only did he twice host the delegation for dinner, but he also arranged some key appointments, including a meeting for him and President Nikias with India's prime minister.

Over the course of our trip we visited Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. In these cities we cemented partnerships by visiting some important institutions, like the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, and hosted lectures with prominent faculty attended by alumni and industry leaders. In Bangalore we lit a ceremonial lamp to mark the opening of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering's new office.

For several members of the delegation this was our first trip to India, and it certainly leaves indelible impressions. The most striking things about India are its contrasts —the extremely wealthy, the world's largest middle class and people in poverty, all living side-by-side; state-of-the-art technologies and educational programs alongside time-worn buildings and roads; and modern India's confluence of Hindu, Muslim and British cultures. It is literally a trip to the other side of the world, and I will be contemplating what we saw and learned for quite some time.

Along the way we met scores of enthusiastic alumni, predominantly from the Viterbi School. In fact, Viterbi has a full-time staff and an extensive alumni network in Bangalore. Several Mumbai-based Trojans also expressed an interest in forming a USC alumni club. Suffice to say, our Indian alumni are active in lots of different industries and professions, and their enthusiasm for USC is very strong, despite living and working 13 time zones from Los Angeles. As we look to build USC's presence in India, our alumni will play a crucial role, and we're looking forward to developing our alumni relations efforts there over the next several years.

You can find a lot more information about the India delegation here.

Fight On!

Scott M. Mory, Esq.
CEO, USC Alumni Association


  In This Issue
Alumni Headlines
Mark Sanchez to receive inaugural Young Alumni Merit Award; USC Women's Conference; Trojan Family Receptions continue

Trojan Alum-inaries
An architect, a trailblazer and the director of Toy Story 3

Make the 'SCene
Festival of Books comes to USC, LGBT film fest and first USC alumni career fair

Travel Trojan-style
Trips to exotic Turkey and majestic Alaska

Alma Matters
A $200,000 check from alumni association premier partner Bank of America

Trojan Family Values
USC Credit Union, B of A, USC Gateway, Enterprise and more



Alumni Headlines





INTRODUCING THE FIRST YOUNG ALUMNI MERIT AWARD HONOREE
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez '09 will receive the inaugural Young Alumni Merit Award at the 78th Annual USC Alumni Awards April 30 at downtown LA's Westin Bonaventure Hotel. A member of USC's Rose Bowl Championship teams from 2007 to 2009, Sanchez was voted the 2009 Rose Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player. Don't miss the USC Alumni Association's premier event of the year, when we recognize Sanchez and nine other outstanding Trojans, including this year's Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award honoree, Ronald N. Tutor '63.






ROLLING OUT THE CARDINAL CARPET IN DOWNTOWN LA
The fourth of nine Trojan Family Receptions honoring USC President C. L.. Max Nikias and First Lady Niki C. Nikias brought hundreds of USC alumni, parents and friends to the JW Marriott in downtown Los Angeles on February 8 (check out the photo gallery).. Next up on the presidential tour: Santa Barbara (March 24) and San Francisco (March 31).




2011 USC WOMEN'S CONFERENCE: EXPRESS, ENCOURAGE, INSPIRE!
Five-time Olympic medalist Janet Evans '95 will deliver the keynote address for the third annual USC Women's Conference, March 11 on the University Park campus. She headlines an outstanding lineup of speakers who will share their insights on subjects ranging from beauty and wellness to career development to philanthropy. Join us for an enlightening and inspiring day of workshops and panel discussions, topped off by a networking champagne and dessert reception.





CLASS IS BACK IN SESSION
On February 17, nearly 250 members of USC's senior alumni community returned to campus for the third annual Half Century Trojans Going Back to College Day, hosted by the USC Alumni Association with the support of several USC schools and divisions. Taking full advantage of what USC athletic director Pat Haden, called "the new knowledge percolating through campus" in his luncheon keynote address, Half Century Trojans attended a provocative series of lectures and seminars in the Ronald Tutor Campus Center. Following Haden's engaging presentation, the lunch program concluded with "Dessert with Deans and Faculty," which gave attendees an opportunity to learn about the latest developments and initiatives at some of USC's schools and academic units. Take a moment to view pictures from our photo gallery.





SCUPPER TIME
Over the weekend of February 11-13, Society 53, the USC Alumni Association's student outreach program, held its third annual series of Trojan SCuppers, giving students the opportunity to meet and engage with fellow students and influential alumni over dinner. This year, USC alumni, faculty and parents hosted 30 SCuppers (up from 21 in 2010) with more than 400 undergraduate and graduate students participating — a 30 percent increase from last year. View pictures from this year's SCuppers in our photo gallery.

'SCocial Media Central
  

Trojan Alum-inaries
James Bonar '64 will receive the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the USC Architectural Guild.

Ramona Cappello '81 will receive the 2011 Trailblazer Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners-Los Angeles.

Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich '90 won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.
James Bonar

Ramona Cappello


Lee Unkrich



Make the 'SCene
ATTENTION CLASSES OF 1961, 1971, 1981, 1986 and 2001
Your 50th, 40th, 30th, 25th and 10th class reunions are coming up this fall, and the USC Alumni Association is currently recruiting class members to volunteer for their respective reunion committees! If you're interested in serving in a leadership role for this time-honored USC tradition, please e-mail Annette Ramirez, director of reunions, or call her at (213) 821-6257.

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books Comes to USC
On Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1, one of Southern California's most cherished weekend celebrations kicks off its 16th year in a new home at USC's University Park campus. In the words of USC president C. L. Max Nikias, "The Festival of Books is known for sparking just the kind of intellectual curiosity and energy that are at the heart of USC's mission." For complete information, click here.

4th Annual Don Thompson LGBT Film Festival
Presented by the USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association
Saturday, March 5: 3-6 p.m. – USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex, University Park Campus
Celebrate the work of USC's up-and-coming LGBT and allied filmmakers.

USC Alumni Career Fair
Presented by the USC Career Planning & Placement Center, MyWorkster and the USC Alumni Association
Friday, March 18: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Ronald Tutor Campus Center, University Park Campus
Meet face-to-face with nearly 50 top employers at the very first alumni career fair at USC.

USC Alumni Night at V: The Ultimate Variety Show in Las Vegas
Presented by the USC Alumni Club of Las Vegas
Thursday, March 24: 7-8:30 p.m. – Saxe Theater, Planet Hollywood Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Enjoy half-price tickets to a high-energy Vegas show and help raise scholarship money for USC students.

13th Annual Orange County Distinguished Speaker Series
Presented by the USC Alumni Association and the USC Alumni Club of Newport-Irvine
Wednesday, March 30: 7-9 p.m. – USC Orange County Center, Irvine, CA
USC Libraries dean Catherine Quinlan will discuss the changing role of libraries in the era of the Kindle and the iPad.

2011 APAA Scholarship & Awards Gala
Presented by the USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Friday, April 8: 6-9 p.m. – Ronald Tutor Campus Center Ballroom, University Park Campus
"Shaping the World through Innovation" is the theme this year as the APAA celebrates alumni who have shown extraordinary personal merit and dedication to the Asian Pacific community.

USC BAA 33rd Annual Scholarship Benefit & Alumni Awards Dinner
Presented by the USC Black Alumni Association
Thursday, April 14: 6-9 p.m. – Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA
Join the USC BAA in honoring Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Ambassador Nicole Avant and other distinguished African American alumni, scholars and corporate leaders.


Travel Trojan-style
Join USC professor Laurie Brand for a fascinating, 15-day tour of Legendary Turkey
(departs May 16), where you'll explore majestic Istanbul, wander through the Greco-Roman ruins of ancient Pergamum and sail the sparkling waters of the Turquoise Coast. Or get an eyeful of the beautiful coasts of British Columbia and Alaska when you Cruise the Alaskan Passage (departs July 8) with USC professor Bryce Nelson aboard the luxurious, six-star Crystal Symphony. For more information about these and other 2011 trips, visit Trojan Travel online or call (213) 821-6005.




Alma Matters


On February 11, the USC Alumni Association's longtime premier partner, Bank of America, presented a $200,000 check to the university's multicultural alumni associations, SPPD's Tomás Rivera Policy Institute and the university's Neighborhood Academic Initiative to support their community outreach efforts, with a portion of the gift also going towards the Alumni Association's 2011 USC Women's Conference. Pictured here, representatives of USC and Bank of America come together in the Ronald Tutor Campus Center's Alumni Center Salon for the check presentation.

Getting Their Names in Lights
Winning an American Eagle Outfitters case competition gave USC Marshall School of Business students a chance to present their ideas to the company's top executives and a $5,000 prize.

Mark Thompson: A Scientist with Influence
Mark Thompson, professor of chemistry, materials science and environmental sciences at USC College, is ranked 12th on Thomson Reuters' Science Watch list as one of the world's most influential chemists.

Professors Receive Millions in NIH Funding
Faculty in USC College's Department of Biological Sciences earned exceptionally high priority scores from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during the past year, which will translate to generous funding for their diverse research projects.

USC Professor Outlines Advocacy for Better Health Care
With recent news that the state of California lost tens of millions of dollars in federal funding to provide health care to uninsured children – because it didn't enroll enough children to qualify for Medicaid and Medi-Cal – the importance of patient advocacy has become clearer than ever before.

New Robotic Surgery for Kidney Cancer
USC urologists have developed a new method of robotic surgery for kidney cancer, which could help reduce organ damage.

USC's Game Design Program Earns Top Ranking
For the second year in a row, GamePro magazine and The Princeton Review have designated USC as the school with the top game design program in North America.

Troy Sets Pair of Records to Open Pac-10s
The No. 7 USC men's swimming and diving team broke the school record in the 200y medley relay and finished second in the 800y free relay (which included a record leadoff) on the first night of the 2011 Pac-10 Swimming Championships in Long Beach.  



Trojan Family Values

USC Credit Union
As part of the Trojan Family, USC Credit Union promises to help find the mortgage that is right for you...not our bottom line. Rates may be going up but there is still time to get a mortgage under 5%. And for a limited time you pay NO POINTS, NO FEES, NO COSTS...NO KIDDING. You pay property insurance and real property taxes only. Whether you want to buy or refinance, act fast before rates start to rise again. Call 877..670.5860, option 5 or visit USC Credit Union online today! Fight On!

Bank of America – Our Proud Partner for 20 Years
Choose the USC Visa* WorldPoints* credit card and redeem for unique USC experiences – plus travel, unlimited cash and merchandise. Learn more details about this offer or apply now for the USC Visa credit card.

University Gateway
University Gateway is the premier student housing facility at USC, offering fully furnished all-inclusive living. Luxury amenities include a penthouse floor, gaming and entertainment room, fitness center, courtyards and rooftop terraces, 24-hour security and concierge, secured bike and car parking, restaurants and shops! As a special offer for USC Alumni Association members, refer a student who signs a lease with us and receive a FREE five-night cruise for two!

Enterprise
With our great deals and low rates for USC alums, Trojans save big when they hit the road! Visit us either online or on campus at our brand-new desk in the Trojan Transportation office!

USC Summer Programs for High School Students – Live the Trojan Experience!
USC Summer Programs offers two- and four-week college immersion programs for high school students. Courses are taught by USC faculty and members of the academic community. Students are engaged in the university experience through a combination of lectures, hands-on workshops and labs, guest speakers and academic field trips to locations throughout Los Angeles. Students also receive 3 units of USC elective credit upon successful completion of the four-week course. For more information and to view our extensive course selection, please visit us online.