Word from Widney
In this era of e-mail, texting and Skype, it's easier than ever to stay "connected" with friends and loved ones — but none of these options offer the old-fashioned pleasures of getting together in person to share a laugh, reminisce over a meal or revisit old hangouts. On November 9-10, five generations of alumni will experience all this and more when they return to campus to strengthen and renew their Trojan Family ties during Reunion Weekend 2012. More.=...





Alumni Headlines

SCHAEFFER DONATES $25 MILLION LEADERSHIP GIFT
USC President C. L. Max Nikias has announced a $25 million gift from Leonard D. Schaeffer, the Judge Robert Maclay Widney Chair and Professor at USC, that will endow and support the USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics.




USC PRICE RECEIVES GENEROUS NAMING GIFT
The USC Price School of Public Policy is proud to announce a $10 million gift from real estate developer and USC alumnus David Dollinger MRED '87 to endow the school's Master of Real Estate Development degree.



ALL IN THE TROJAN FAMILY
Enjoy Trojan Family camaraderie, delicious food and music at Homecoming tailgates presented by our multicultural alumni associations: the USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association, the USC Black Alumni Association, the USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association and the USC Latino Alumni Association.



USC MEMORY AND AGING CENTER STUDY
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Keck School of Medicine of USC are conducting a joint research study on PhytoSERM, a food supplement composed of natural plant estrogens, to see if it can help women ages 45-60 manage the ill effects of menopause and also prevent memory loss. Call (323) 442-7600 for more information or to volunteer.



HALF CENTURY TROJANS (HCTs) HALL OF FAME LUNCHEON
More than 300 members of the university and alumni communities paid tribute to USC's vibrant senior alumni community on October 16. The year's Hall of Fame honorees were Burton Karson '56, MA '59, DMA '64; Sorrell Trope '47, JD '49; Willa O'Day Olsen PhD '58, MD '62; Melvin F. Baron PharmD '57, MPA '73; and Fred V. Keenan '37. Former HCT president Seymour Canter '55 received the Distinguished Service Award. You can view photos from the luncheon here.



BROADWAY COMES TO LA
On September 30, theatre-loving Trojans attended a performance of the Broadway smash The Book of Mormon at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre. Post-show, the USC Second Decade Society and Young Alumni Council co-hosted a reception with cast members. Click here to view photos.



VERNACULAR LANDSCAPES
Laura Pulido, professor of American studies and ethnicity in USC Dornsife, collaborated with two of her former Ph.D. students to create a very different sort of L.A. guidebook: A People’s Guide to Los Angeles, which offers eye-opening alternatives to the usual tourist destinations.







Trojan Alum-inaries

Janet Denhardt
Frank Fertitta
George L. Pla

USC Price School of Public Policy Professor Janet Denhardt DPA '91 has been named a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Frank Fertitta '84 and his wife Jill have contributed a naming gift to create a new undergraduate instructional building and establish an endowed faculty chair at the USC Marshall School of Business. George L. Pla MPA '74, president and CEO of Cordoba Corp., served as lead consultant in the transport of the space shuttle Endeavour from LAX to the California Science Center.







Young Alumni Spotlight
Ryan Fernandez MA '11 has been running Menugem, his innovative restaurant startup company, for the past two years. With over 40 restaurants using Menugem's far-reaching digital presence and tactics to gain exposure, Menugem is already experiencing great success.




Alma Matters
UYTENGSU AQUATICS CENTER BREAKS GROUND
On November 2, the USC Athletic Department celebrated the groundbreaking of the Uytengsu Aquatics Center, a new, world-class home for the Trojan men's and women's swimming, diving and water polo teams.

SCHOENFELD'S GIFT OF MUSIC
Alice Schoenfeld, holder of the Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld Endowed Chair in String Instruction and a professor of violin instruction and performance for more than half a century at the USC Thornton School of Music, has committed $3 million to create a new symphonic hall for the school.

USC DORNSIFE PANEL EXAMINES MIDDLE EAST FUROR
A panel of USC Dornsife faculty attempted to put into context the events leading up to the killing of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, in Benghazi, Libya last September.

ROBERTO QUIROZ WINS CLAY COURT SINGLES CROWN
In USC men's tennis, sophomore Roberto Quiroz showed his singles strength this past weekend in cruising to the crown at the USTA Clay Court Invitational in Orlando, Florida.




Trojan Travel
USC Trojan Travel is excited to spotlight two special travel programs for spring 2013. Ancient Kingdoms of China with USC professor emeritus Gordon Berger includes a luxurious cruise along the Yangtze River and the opportunity to meet Julie Nixon Eisenhower, who will share her unique perspectives on this fascinating nation. Village Life in Dordogne with professor Elinor Accampo offers a chance to explore this charming and historic region of southwest France. For more information, visit Trojan Travel online or call (213) 821-6005.





USC Athletics
Get two free tickets to a USC Basketball game! Check out the men's basketball team on Friday, Nov. 9 or the women's team on Nov. 11 as they look to improve on a 3rd- place Pac 12 finish from last year. Click here for your free tickets. Thanks for supporting USC Athletics. Fight On!