Word from Widney
As the holiday season approaches, it is a natural time to reflect on the generosity of all of the USC alumni and friends who supported our university with their time, energy and financial contributions during this past year. On behalf of the entire Trojan Family, we thank you. It is our hope that as each of you contemplate the year ahead, you will resolve to increase your own involvement with and support for USC. Join us as we help USC President C. L. Max Nikias propel our great university to new heights of excellence.

On behalf of all of us at the USC Alumni Association, have a safe and happy holiday season and a joyous New Year! See you in 2013!

Fight On!

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




Alumni Headlines

TRANSFORMATIVE GIFT CREATES USC GLORYA KAUFMAN SCHOOL OF DANCE
Glorya Kaufman, a visionary Los Angeles philanthropist whose commitment to dance is celebrated nationwide, has made a transformational gift to establish the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance — the first school to be established through an endowment at USC in nearly 40 years.



A NEW CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE LAA AND THE USCAA
We are proud to announce that on November 1, the USC Latino Alumni Association (LAA) joined the USC Alumni Association. Since its founding in 1973, the LAA has provided more than $15 million in scholarship assistance to over 7,500 students. Bienvenidos LAA!



TROJANS RECONNECT AT REUNION WEEKEND
Memory lane got a little busier on Nov. 9-10 when five generations of Trojans returned to campus to reconnect and rediscover at this year's Reunion Weekend celebration. View photos from the two-day celebration of Trojan Family ties, held in conjunction with Homecoming.



TWENTY YEARS OF PRIDE
LGBT Trojans and allies came together November 2 for USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association's 20th Anniversary Celebration: A Legacy of Pride; view photos of the reception. And click here to submit your short film for the 6th Annual Don Thompson LGBT Film Festival; the deadline is January 4, 2013.




A TROJAN TRAILBLAZER
On December 3, Jackie Lacey JD '82 was sworn in as Los Angeles County's first African-American and first female district attorney. Her predecessor Steve Cooley JD '73 administered the oath to Lacey in a ceremony held at USC Galen Center.



MAKING AN IMPACT
When it comes to bettering society, USC women are at the vanguard. On January 23, four female Trojan philanthropists will take part in an engaging panel discussion - Women Making an Impact - in Costa Mesa. And don't forget to take advantage of early bird registration for the fifth annual USC Women's Conference on March 7.



USC IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: GIVING SIGHT TO THE BLIND
Our "USC in Your Neighborhood" series comes to New York January 31, when Dr. Mark Humayun of the USC Institute of Biomedical Therapeutics gives a fascinating presentation on how bio-electronic artificial retinas are giving "sight" to the blind. USC Provost Elizabeth Garrett joins Humayun for this highly anticipated event — don't miss it!




HALF CENTURY TROJANS GOING BACK TO COLLEGE DAY
Since 2009, USC's Half Century Trojans have been returning to campus every February to re-experience a typical school day. For 2013, the event takes place on Wednesday, February 27, and features special presentations on politics, health and media. Save the date!



CELEBRATE USC IN MUMBAI
Close to 200 Indian Trojans turned out on December 2 to "Celebrate USC" at the Comedy Store in Mumbai. The event included a recorded address by USC Viterbi School of Engineering dean Yanis C. Yortsos and four stand-up comics. Enjoy a photo gallery here.



A NEW YEAR & NEW BEGINNING FOR USC MEN'S LACROSSE
With a new director — Charles Meister MBA '90 — new playing field and new website, the USC men's lacrosse team is committed to making this season a smash success. If you're a past player or fan, the team would love to hear from you — click here to join the team's e-mail list.



PLANET WITHOUT APES?
The impending tragic extinction of the great apes does not have to happen, USC Dornsife's Craig Stanford argues in his new book. The biologist offers some solutions that can help save the apes' existence on Earth into at least the next century.



USC ALUMNI AUTHORS' "MUST-READS"
This month, our popular alumni authors' "must-reads" features the five desert island picks of Nancy Dodd MPW '02, MFA '05 (The Writer's Compass: From Story Map to Finished Draft in 7 Stages).






Trojan Alum-inaries

Fu Chengyu
Allyson Felix
Abhijit Sengupta

Fu Chengyu MS '86, chairman of China's Sinopec Group, has been named Petroleum Executive of the Year. Allyson Felix '08 has been named the Female World Athlete of the Year by the IAAF. Abhijit Sengupta MM '96 has been named the executive director of the Ojai Music Festival.







Young Alumni Spotlight
A RISING STAR
Brittany Berns '08 has led an effort in Benin, Africa, to fund and construct a school building in the village of Toucountouna. She also launched a scholarship program called Rising Stars to help young women there achieve their education goals. She's just getting started.




Alma Matters
USC PROFESSORS NAMED AS AAAS FELLOWS
Fifteen USC scientists have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), chosen by their peers in recognition of their efforts to advance science or its applications.

OSTROW SCHOOL RECEIVES $18.4 MILLION GRANT
The Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC will receive nearly $18.4 million — the largest grant in the school's history — from the nonprofit organization First 5 LA to support dental care outreach to young children.

USC RANKS AMONG TOP PRODUCERS OF US FULBRIGHT STUDENTS
USC has been recognized as one of the top 40 research institutions in the United States to cultivate Fulbright Student Grant recipients, according to the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program.

USC MEN'S WATER POLO TEAM TAKES FIFTH CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP
The USC men's water polo team pieced together a dramatic 11-10 victory over crosstown rival UCLA on Dec. 2 to extend the Trojans' national championship streak to five in a row and finish their 2012 season with a perfect 29-0.




Trojan Travel
THREE "MUST-SEE" TRIPS FOR 2013
Let Trojan Travel take you to three must-see events in 2013: the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby (May 2-5); the championships at Wimbledon (June 21-26); and the spectacular Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (Oct. 4-7). For more information, visit Trojan Travel online or call (213) 821-6005.





USC Athletics
Show your Trojan Spirit! Support USC as we take on Georgia Tech in the 79th Annual Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso December 31! Click here to purchase tickets or call the USC Ticket Office at (213) 740-4672. Fight On!