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USC 2014: Our favorite images of the year

One in a series showcasing a year of university highlights

December 24, 2014 Holly Wilder, David Medzerian

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then you’re in for a 14,000-word treat. Here are 14 images from USC in 2014 that made us catch our breath, break out in a smile or stare in wondrous amazement.


Real life?

Virtual city
(Photo/Elko Weaver)

Jessie Rabideau models an exoskeletal outfit developed as part of the USC School of Cinematic Arts’ World Building Media Lab. Participants created a virtual city with virtual inhabitants; the outfit illustrates how those inhabitants might appear and how that might affect their interaction with each other. The exercise was a means to creatively consider the challenges faced by real cities.


Heismans’ new home

Heritage Hall
(Photo/John McGillen)

Heritage Hall — with the two-story Hall of Champions as its centerpiece — reopened in February after a $35 million renovation.


One veteran, many faces

David Flores
(USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)

As USC’s Veterans Day commemorations approached, David Flores let us tag along on a day in the life of this busy student-veteran.


From president to president

C. L. Max Nikias and Bill Clinton
(USC Photo/Karen Ballard)

USC President C. L. Max Nikias joined Bill Clinton on stage at Bovard Auditorium. The former U.S. president visited the University Park Campus in November to discuss the work of the Clinton Foundation as part of the USC President’s Distinguished Lecture series.


Light up the night

Conquest 2014
(USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)

The massive bonfire and impressive fireworks show highlighted the annual Conquest pep rally two days before the annual USC-UCLA football game.


Remembering a legend

Marching Band spells out "Louis"
(USC Photo/Brett Adair Padelford)

The USC Trojan Marching Band honored Trojan legend and war hero Louis Zamperini during the halftime show of the USC-Notre Dame game on Nov. 29.


Tailgating, family style

Cardinal and gold family
(USC Photo/Steve Cohn)

The whole family — from horse-head-wearing dad to the giant stuffed pet — donned cardinal and gold during Homecoming festivities Oct. 18.


Warm welcome

(USC Photo/Steve Cohn)
(USC Photo/Steve Cohn)

Honorary Trustee Verna B. Dauterive catches the photographer’s eye during the new student convocation ceremony Aug. 21. The event is one of USC’s special ways of welcoming incoming Trojans.


Let the fun commence!

Graduation at Annenberg
(USC Photo/Alan Mittelstaedt)

Students from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism enjoy a cardinal and gold celebration as the school’s commencement ceremony draws to a close.


A father’s love

Dad tears up
(USC Photo/David Sprague)

Welcome Week brings a mix of emotions for the incoming students – and their parents, too. Here, a father cries while writing a letter to his freshman student on move-in day. The Office for Parent Programs delivered the letters during the first week of classes.


Song for Troy

Song Girls
(USC Photo/Steve Cohn)

Wherever Trojans gather, the Song Girls (with the Trojan Marching Band in the background) are likely not far behind.


Running with the troops

Retired Gen. David Petraeus
(USC Photo/Tom Queally)

Retired Gen. David Petraeus, a Judge Widney Professor with a joint faculty appointment at the USC Price School of Public Policy, visited the University Park and Health Sciences campuses during the days leading up to Veterans Day. His activities included a morning run in the Coliseum with ROTC cadets.


A three-dimensional president

Obama and Paul Debevec
(Photo/The White House)

Paul Debevec and a team of USC 3-D imaging specialists headed to the White House to work with the Smithsonian Institution on a first-ever project to create 3-D portraits of a sitting president.


Fight on

Tommy Trojan at sunset
(USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)