University

Jaime Lee and USC Alumni Association Jaime Lee with, from left, Rod Nakamoto, immediate past president of the USCAA Board of Governors; Patrick Auerbach, USC’s associate vice president of alumni relations; and Michael Felix, president-elect of the USCAA Board. | Photo by Josh Krause Trojan Trailblazers

A Third-Generation Trojan Takes the Lead for the USCAA Board of Governors

USC’s alumni association welcomes its first Asian-American female president, Jaime Lee.

3 min readAlumni Life, University, Alumni, Alumni Association
Group photo from Trojan Family Weekend Trojan Family Weekend (Oct. 6-9) gives parents and siblings a taste of campus life through panel discussions, open houses, classroom visits and guided tours at schools throughout USC. Families can get into the school spirit with face painting, photo booths and a pregame tailgate party. | PHOTOS BY SARAH M. GOLONKA All in the Family

Parents Dive Into USC Life at Trojan Family Weekend

The revamped event gives parents an inside look at USC like never before.

3 min readUniversity, Events, Value
From left: Bruce Block, Sergei Eisenstein Endowed Chair in Cinematic Design; George Lucas ’66, USC alumnus and supporter; Michael Fink Georges Méliès Endowed Chair in Visual Effects; Elizabeth Daley, Dean and Steven J. Ross/Time Warner Dean’s Chair; and Alex McDowell, William Cameron Menzies Endowed Chair in Production Design. Photo by Steve Cohn Seats of Distinction

Why Endowed Chairs Matter

As timeless as the university itself, endowed chairs are the gold standard for recruiting distinguished faculty and supporting academic endeavor

4 min readUniversity, Faculty
Director Erica Muhl, left, and music industry giants Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre (Andre Young) with USC President C. L. Max Nikias. Photo by Steve Cohn President's Page

Art, Industry and Entrepreneurship: A Landmark USC Moment

We will prepare stellar artists to be effective entrepreneurs and singular businesspersons to be great artists.

3 min readArts, Business, President's Page, University, Campaign for USC, Design, Donors, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Iovine and Young Academy, Robotics
Class of 2021 students of Helenes yearbook photo A century of service: The Helenes have a proud history of volunteering their time for the betterment of the university and the community. UNBROKEN BONDS

USC’s Helenes Mark a Century of Service, Spirit and Sisterhood

The group supports all manner of initiatives that improve life on campus and off, but its members also benefit, often establishing lifelong friendships that continue long after they have graduated.

5 min readStudent Life, University, Alumni, Community Outreach, Student Life
Hunter playing piano at Playa in Summer Lake, Oregon In a Landscape concerts have taken place largely in Oregon and the West, but Noack hopes to expand his geographic boundaries. “I get so excited and want to go everywhere,” he says. (Photo/ Ed Schmidt) MOVING TO A DIFFERENT BEAT

Getting in Tune With Nature Around the West

USC alum and classical pianist Hunter Noack performs BYOS—bring your own Steinway—concerts at some of the most stunning outdoor sites in the U.S. The results? Pure magic.

3 min readAlumni Life, Arts, University
12 USC staff and alumni pose for a group photo at the Alumni Awards 2022 event. 2022 Alumni Awards winners pose with USC administrators: (Left to right) Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations Patrick E. Auerbach, Beth Petak-Aaron, Adam Goldston, Alumni Awards Co-Chair Mary Tee, Ryan Goldston, Ramona Cappello, Mike Nyeholt, Alumni Awards Co-Chair Kevork Zoryan, President Carol Folt, Mary Bono, Jules Buenabenta, President, USC Alumni Association President John Iino. (Photo/Steve Cohn) Top Trojans

Exemplary Trojans Honored at 2022 USC Alumni Awards

At the 88th annual Alumni Awards gala in April, the Trojan Family celebrated notable leaders who showcase the best of the Trojan spirit. The 2022 USC alumni awards recipients were recognized for bringing distinction to the university.

7 min readAlumni Life, Athletics, Business, University, Alumni, Awards
Japanese American family of USC alumni view a rock garden on campus Niki Kawakami – "Us being here today, it’s a very reflective time. I used to share a lot of stories and I think that’s something that should be emphasized more, that connecting with your history, learning from the lessons and seeing how you can be better." (Photo/Damon Casarez) Peace, Love, and Rocks

‘You Feel Like You’re Connected to Something More’

USC rock garden, opened in April, creates a contemplative space for Trojan family of 1940s dental student Tadashi “Tad” Ochiai.

3 min readAlumni Life, University
Wanda Austin USC president Wanda Austin PhD ’88 was named interim president of USC on Aug. 7. She earned her doctorate in industrial and systems engineering from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and serves as a USC trustee since 2010. (Photo/ Karen Ballard) President's Page

A Trojan Welcome From USC Interim President Wanda Austin

As a dedicated member of the Trojan Family, the longtime USC trustee believes in the USC community’s ability to withstand and transcend challenges.

2 min readPresident's Page, University
USC researcher John Carpten strives to decode how genes influence cancer — especially for groups hit hardest by the disease Carpten's mission is to untangle the role of biology in cancer to improve treatment — particularly to help close the gaps where Black people and other understudied, underserved populations face a greater burden of disease. (Illustration/Curt Merlo) Serving the Underserved

Decoding the “C” Word

USC researcher John Carpten strives to decode how genes influence cancer — especially for groups hit hardest by the disease