Word from Widney

Dear Fellow Trojan:

Summer's in full swing for ‘SC and the Trojan Family, as the university and alumni communities come together for a wide variety of cultural, social and spirit-themed activities. Over the next two months, we'll be welcoming incoming students to the Trojan Family at our annual SCend Off celebrations. A proud USC Alumni Association tradition, these informal gatherings provide a fun introduction to all things Trojan for new students and their families. And on July 19, USC Thornton School of Music alumni, faculty and students will be taking their talents on the road — Route 66, to be exact — to perform in Music Licks on 66, a music festival traveling from Chicago to Santa Monica on America's legendary highway. More . . .


Alumni Headlines
MEET THE USCAA'S NEW LEADER
On July 1, Senior Vice President for University Advancement Al Checcio named Patrick E. Auerbach EdD'08 associate senior vice president for alumni relations; Auerbach had served in this role on an interim basis since January. He is responsible for managing the USC Alumni Association and serving as the university's primary representative to its alumni.



WEEKENDERS 2013
Get out your cardinal and gold jerseys — our 2013 Weekenders kick off August 28-30, when the Trojans take on the University of Hawaii Warriors in Honolulu!



REUNION WEEKEND 2013
Calling all undergrads from the classes of 1963, 1973, 1983, 1988 and 2003: Join us for Reunion Weekend 2013 - November 15-16. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your classmates and the Trojan Family; rediscover what USC means to you and reunite for your reunion!



TWO TROJANS AMONG 2013 NATIONAL MEDAL OF ARTS HONOREES
Congratulations to filmmaker George Lucas '66 and jazz legend Herb Alpert '54, who will receive the National Medal of Arts from President Obama on July 12 at the White House. Alpert, the Grammy Award-winning founder of A&M Records and the Tijuana Brass, previously received the Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award in 1994.



A FITTING TRIBUTE TO A RESPECTED NAVAL LEADER
On June 11, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the next Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer will be named in honor of Paul Ignatius '42, who served as the Secretary of the Navy from 1967 to 1969. Click here to watch the ship naming ceremony that was held at the Pentagon.



USC CO-HOSTS DISCUSSION IN THE PHILIPPINES
On June 5, USC collaborated with the U.S. Embassy in Manila and the University of the Philippines to host a discussion about women's empowerment and legislation. Among the attendees were several USC faculty members, students and alumni.



SUMMER IN THE CITY
Young alums gathered at the historic Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles on June 29 for the USC Alumni Association's 6th Annual Young Alumni Summer Party. Click here to view photos.



ON AN UPSWING
Born to Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college student, Lizette Salas '11 credits her family and USC Dornsife for her success in life and on the green. After graduating, she became a professional golfer and earned full status on the LPGA Tour for 2012.



A GIFT THAT SAYS WE CARE
Jennifer Sutherland touched the beaded necklace around her neck. The necklace, one of 725 similar pieces given to female patients at Keck Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital in recognition of their courage and inspiration to others, was the idea of Town and Gown of USC President Carol Mollett.



ALUMNI AUTHORS: MUST READS
This month, we're featuring the five "must-reads" of novelist Susan Straight '82 (Highwire Moon).





Trojan Alum-inaries


David Aristizabal
Kevin P. Berg
Bryshon Nellum

David Aristizabal '12 won first place at the 40th Annual Student Academy Awards for his documentary, A Second Chance. Kevin P. Berg ' 90 has been promoted to general counsel and executive vice president, business and legal affairs, at Village Roadshow Pictures. Bryshon Nellum '12 has been named the 2013 National Men's Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.




Young Alumni Spotlight
Offering a New Vision
Aja Brown '04, MPL '05 said that one of her favorite things about being a student at the USC Price School of Public Policy was "the expectation to do well and make a difference." As the newly elected mayor of the city of Compton, she now has the opportunity to turn that expectation into reality.







Alma Matters
USC's Solar Decathlon Home Comes Together on Campus
USC's entry into the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathalon competition to build a net-zero, affordable and innovative home is taking shape on the South Lawn behind Watt Hall.

New Head of Student Affairs Announced
Ainsley Carry, an administrator with two decades of experience in higher education, has been appointed vice provost of Student Affairs, effective Aug. 1.

A Passion for Persian Culture
In a recent signing ceremony, the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the Farhang Foundation sealed the deal on a long-term commitment to enhance the study and research of Iranian art and culture at the university.

Alum Grant Green Gets Called Up to the Oakland A's
Trojan alum Grant Green is set to join the Oakland A's from the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. He becomes the 102nd Trojan all-time to make it to the big leagues.






Trojan Travel
TROJAN TRAVEL
Where do you want to go next year? For 2014, Trojan Travel has added new trips to Burma and the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, as well as a new cruise encompassing Japan’s northern islands, Russia's Far East and the Aleutians.
For more information, visit Trojan Travel online or call (213) 821-6005.




Athletics
USC ATHLETICS
Single game tickets, mini plans and group tickets to most USC home football games will be available July 11. Click here for more information or to place an order.




Alumni Career Services
ALUMNI CAREER SERVICES
The USC Career Center, in collaboration with the USC Alumni Association, has expanded and launched an enhanced suite of career tools and resources designed for alumni to manage and build their careers. Visit our website today!




Special Offers for Alumni
Liberty Mutual
Auto, home and renter's insurance savings for alumni.

  ScholarShare
Your children will remember what you share. Begin early – with a ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan.



Pleasant Holidays
Touchdown in Hawaii! Catch the season opener as USC battles UH August 29 in Hawaii.

  Trojan Business Directory
The best way to find and do business with a Trojan near you.