In memoriam: Christopher Smith, 55, founder of USC Annenberg’s Media, Economics & Entrepreneurship program
The clinical professor of communication was a scholar, teacher and mentor at the school for more than 20 years.
In memoriam: Willie Deckard, two-time NCAA relay champion
He became known as “Mr. Anchor” as he ran the final leg for USC’s two-time NCAA champion 4×110 yard relay team that won the title in 1971 and 1972.
In memoriam: John Orr, 89, religion professor founded key USC programs
The professor emeritus was instrumental in the founding of the USC Dornsife Center for Religion and Civic Culture, the USC Family of Schools and the Thematic Option program.
In memoriam: George Shannon, 84, became gerontology educator after 30-year acting career
“People always ask me if it’s too late to go back to school and I always say no,” he said during an interview for USC News in 2018.
In memoriam: Allen W. Mathies, 92, former Keck School of Medicine of USC dean
Mathies, who served as dean from 1975 to 1985, oversaw some of the school’s most significant growth.
In memoriam: Charles White, USC’s 1979 Heisman Trophy-winning tailback
He was a member of the Trojans’ 1978 national championship team anda then played nine seasons in the NFL.
In memoriam: Robert E. Tranquada, 92, dean of the Keck School of Medicine from 1986-1991
The longtime USC faculty member was a diabetes researcher and public health advocate who was instrumental in increasing access to health care for underserved communities across L.A. County.
In memoriam: Rosalind ‘Roz’ Wyman, youngest person ever elected to L.A. City Council
The Trojan alumna was a driving force behind Dodgers moving west.
In memoriam: Richard Thompson, 83, quantum physicist who studied superconductivity
The emeritus faculty member, who worked at labs in France, the Soviet Union and Germany before joining USC in 1970, co-discovered the “Maki-Thompson effect” on electron transport in superconductors.
In memoriam: Selim Zilkha, 95, helped establish neurogenetic institute at Keck School of Medicine of USC
The visionary entrepreneur’s philanthropy was key in creating the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the medical school.
In memoriam: Irving Biederman, 83, explored the brain’s role in vision, shape and face recognition
The longtime USC Dornsife professor was a voracious seeker of knowledge and a beloved mentor to countless students and postdoctoral researchers.
In memoriam: Charlotte Furth, 88, was among first U.S. scholars to enter China after communist revolution
During her 30-year career at USC Dornsife, the trailblazing historian’s achievements include a groundbreaking book on the history of Chinese women’s reproductive care.
In memoriam: Barry Boehm, 87, ‘living legend’ in systems and software engineering
A computer science pioneer with a career that spanned six decades, the USC Viterbi Professor Emeritus defined an era in software development.
In memoriam: Ernie Zampese, 86, holds USC record for longest punt
The Trojan halfback went on to become a noted NFL offensive coordinator.
In memoriam: Bob Hooks, 92, USC all-conference end in 1952
Hooks, a 16th round pick in the 1952 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams as a junior, also was a javelin thrower on the 1951 USC track team.
In memoriam: Bryce Nelson, 84, former director of USC Annenberg School of Journalism
After two decades as a reporter at major news organizations, Nelson devoted the final 30 years of his career to training and mentoring future journalists while tirelessly serving the USC community.
In memoriam: Lamont Dozier, songwriter and producer behind countless Motown hits
The celebrated musician was the first artist-in-residence for USC Thornton’s Popular Music program.
In memoriam: Joyce Mann, director of USC Price’s International Public Policy and Management Program
The dedicated educator and administrator was also an ace at contract bridge.
In memoriam: Vincent DeRosa, noted French hornist and former USC Thornton faculty member
The celebrated musician, who died at 101, set a playing standard that continues today.
In memoriam: Anthropologist Christopher Boehm, explored human conflict and moral origins
The USC Dornsife faculty member, who wrote several books on hierarchy and human morality, conducted field research with Jane Goodall as one of the only anthropologists to study primates.
In memoriam: Andrei Belgrader, USC School of Dramatic Arts professor
The noted director, educator and actor joined the school in 2008, and taught and directed countless undergraduate and graduate students.
In memoriam: Prominent psychotherapist Constance Ahrons, 84
An emeritus professor of sociology, Ahrons helped diminish the stigma of divorce, seeking to replace pejorative language and arguing that a “good divorce” could prove more beneficial than an unhappy marriage.
In memoriam: Richard Aldrich ‘Rink’ Babka, 85, Olympic discus medalist
Babka, one of the greatest discus throwers in USC history, co-captained the Trojans’ 1958 USC NCAA championship track and field team.
In memoriam: 1946 NCAA singles and doubles winner Bob Falkenburg, a Wimbledon and U.S. Open champ
The tennis standout was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1974 and the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.