Word from Widney

Our volunteers are one of USC's most valuable resources. From mentoring students to organizing events to raising scholarship money, they do it all, giving selflessly of their time, energy and expertise for the advancement of USC. On behalf of the USC Alumni Association, I am proud to announce the 2011 recipients of the Volunteer Recognition Awards, honoring outstanding alumni volunteers and organizations for their exemplary service to the university. The awards will be presented at the Volunteer Recognition Dinner on September 16 at Town and Gown on the USC University Park Campus. It is one of my favorite nights of the year, a time to celebrate the contributions of our dedicated alumni and friends who are truly the lifeblood of the Trojan Family. More . . .
Alumni Headlines
LOS ANGELES TIMES: HADEN REFLECTS ON FIRST YEAR
USC athletic director Pat Haden '75 recently sat down with Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Dwyer to discuss his first year in the position. Click here to read the article.


A TROJAN FAMILY'S TRADITION OF SERVICE
Giving back to 'SC is a priority for USC Alumni Association Board of Governors president Lisa Barkett '81 and her son Anthony '12, the president of Society 53, the USC Alumni Association's student outreach program. Click here to read an interview with these dedicated Trojans.


2011 WEEKENDERS: COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
Get out your cardinal and gold jerseys and show your Trojan Spirit! Take advantage of Pleasant Holidays complete travel and event packages and join us for USC's five away-games this season, starting September 24 in Tempe, AZ, where the Trojans take on the Sun Devils.



REUNION WEEKEND REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE
Calling all grads of the classes of 1961, 1971, 1981, 1986 and 2001: Reunion Weekend registration is open! Join us November 11-12 to reconnect with old friends, tour the University Park Campus and cheer 'SC to a Homecoming victory over Washington. Click here for more information.


MEET THE NEWEST TRUSTEE
Kudos to Carol C. Fox MS '62, the 2010-11 USC Alumni Association Board of Governors president, who's been elected to a five-year term on the USC Board of Trustees. An independent education consultant, Fox is also vice chair of the USC Rossier School of Education Board of Councilors.


UK TROJANS WELCOME USC PROVOST
Approximately 60 USC alumni and friends, including USC SPPD dean Jack Knott and USC Alumni Association Board of Governors president Lisa Barkett '81, attended the USC Alumni Club of London's July 5 reception for USC provost Elizabeth Garrett at London's Cavendish Hotel.


AND THE EMMY GOES TO...
Eleven USC alumni are among the nominees for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, airing September 18 on FOX Television. Click here to see the Trojans in the running for television's most coveted award.




Trojan Alum-inaries


Marc Benioff  
Rebecca Soni
Brad Thor

USC trustee Marc Benioff '86 made the cover of the July 2011 issue of Forbes.
Olympian Rebecca Soni '09 won the women's 100-meter breaststroke at the 2011 FINA World Championships. Bestselling author Brad Thor '92 has published Full Black, one of several new titles by Alumni Authors.





Young Alumni Spotlight
JAZZ MAN
Just 27 years old, pianist/composer Gerald Clayton '07 has received two Grammy nominations. His second album, Bond: The Paris Sessions, was released in May to rave reviews. Click here to read more about the Thornton alum the Wall Street Journal calls a "keyboard superstar."



Alma Matters

USC Excels in Annual "Great Colleges" Survey
For the fourth year in a row, The Chronicle of Higher Education has included USC in its Honor Roll of "Great Colleges to Work For."

USC Scientists Contribute to a Breakthrough in Quantum Computing
Scientists have taken the next major step toward quantum computing, which will use quantum mechanics to revolutionize the way information is processed.

Taiwanese Get a Taste of Something New
As part of the USC School of Pharmacy's dedication to spreading its global reach, the school hosted pharmacy students, faculty and practicing pharmacists from five Taiwanese universities during the month of July.

2012 Inductees for USC Athletic Hall of Fame Announced
Sixteen Trojan greats to be honored at May 12 dinner at Galen Center.