Summer 2020

usc alumni food donation to doctors Actor Danny Trejo, left, and USC alum Dimitri Colupaev strive to safely feed hundreds of health care workers during the pandemic. (Photo/Courtesy of Colony Cooks) Comfort Food

Celebs and USC Alums Feed L.A.’s Hospital Heroes

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Trejo join USC alumni and friends to donate meals to health providers at Keck Medicine of USC and other L.A.-area hospitals.

5 min readAlumni Life, Social Impact, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes, Food, Volunteerism
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Korean American National Museum concept design Design concept for the exterior of the Korean American National Museum, which is slated to open in Los Angeles in 2022. (Illustration/Courtesy of Morphosis Architects) Culture Connection

Trojan Architect Honors Korean American Culture

As project architect for the Korean American National Museum, Paul Choi brings an evolving cultural legacy home.

4 min readAlumni Life, Arts, Architecture, Los Angeles, Museums
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USC Minecraft version of campus Students who missed campus re-created University Park Campus for their fellow USC students in Minecraft. (Picture Courtesy of Alastair Morrison) Wish You Were Here

Students Built the USC Campus in Minecraft — and It’s Amazing

See virtual versions of Tommy Trojan, Doheny Memorial Library and other USC landmarks.

2 min readStudent Life, COVID-19, Design, Video Games, We are SC
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Becca Mann usc student swimming in Hawaii Becca Man swimming. (Photo/Courtesy of Becca Mann) Channel Hopper

Trojan’s Incredible Feat: She Swims 35 Miles Across Open Ocean in Hawaii

Student Becca Mann notches 20 hours, 53 minutes and 37 seconds of pure, glorious, record-setting pain.

3 min readAthletics, Student Life, Student Life, Swimming
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Sierra Drummond in Peace Corps in Thailand (Photo/Courtesy of Sierra Drummond) Trojan Voice

Peace Corps Opened a New Chapter for a USC Grad. Then the Pandemic Hit

With her service cut short, Sierra Drummond’s path to discovering herself and the world was put on pause.

3 min readAlumni Life, Alumni, COVID-19, Globalization, Volunteerism
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Street medicine specialist Brett Feldman with homeless man (Photo/Gregg Segal) Care Everywhere

USC Street Medicine Team Cares for L.A’s Homeless in a Pandemic

These health care professionals treat some of L.A.’s most vulnerable on the streets they call home.

4 min readHealth, Social Impact, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes, Health Care, Homelessness
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Jennifer Dixon and nurses pray (Photo/Courtesy of Jennifer Dixon) The Unexpected Patient

Nurse’s First COVID-19 Patient Turns Out to Be Her Friend

A USC alumna and nurse in a rural Georgia hospital shares the story of her first encounter with the coronavirus.

3 min readAlumni Life, Health, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes, Health Care
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Maria Saravia USC hospital cleaner (Photo/Ricardo Carrasco III) Hidden Heroes

USC’s Unsung Heroes of the Pandemic

They disinfect hospital rooms and feed neighbors in need. These members of the Trojan Family take action in times of crisis.

4 min readHealth, Alumni, Community Outreach, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes, Faculty, Staff
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Abstract illustration of Pin Wang (Illustration/Scott Bakal) Stop the Spread

Can a USC Bioengineer Find the World’s Most Sought-After Vaccine?

In the global scientific race to curb the coronavirus, a USC researcher and his team engineer a promising solution.

3 min readHealth, Science/Technology, COVID-19, COVID-19 Experts, COVID-19 Heroes, Research
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Steph Curry and Jimmy Iovine USC celebrity guests in class Steph Curry on and Jimmy Iovine on Zoom calls with students Zoom In

6 Celebrities Who Guest Starred in a USC Online Class

Check out the famous faces that popped up on USC students’ phone and computer screens during the spring 2020 semester.

2 min readStudent Life, Alumni, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes, Students
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miss juneteenth movie A woman’s unfulfilled dreams get new life through her daughter in Miss Juneteenth, a film from USC alumna Channing Godfrey Peoples. (Image/Courtesy of Vertical Entertainment) Power of Story

Messages of Hope and Determination in Alum’s Film Miss Juneteenth

Channing Godfrey Peoples MFA ’11 talks about the responsibility borne by Black artists, storytellers and creators today and the power of speaking your truth.

8 min readAlumni Life, Arts, Cinema, Race and Ethnicity
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Abstract illustration of Neeraj Sood (Illustration/Scott Bakal) Going Viral

How Far Has COVID-19 Spread in L.A.? He Looks for Answers

Neeraj Sood drew headlines for studies testing for coronavirus antibodies. The health economist is just getting started.

6 min readHealth, Science/Technology, COVID-19, COVID-19 Experts, COVID-19 Heroes, Public Health, Research
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Abstract illustration of pain in the body (Illustrations/Raymond Biesinger) Back in the Game

Low Back Pain? There Might Be Options Besides Surgery

Chances are you’ve had an aching back. Sometimes it takes expert detective work and an open mind to figure out why — and fix it for good.

6 min readHealth, Health Care, Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
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peter erskine in usc online class (Video/Courtesy of Peter Erskine) Great Adaptations

Hands-on Topics Can’t Be Taught Online? Think Again

How do you teach drama without a stage? Jam together as a jazz band online? Dissect a frog without the frog? You get creative.

3 min readStudent Life, University, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes, Education, Faculty, Students
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USC’s Rod Dedeaux Jim Barr and Brent Strom Rod Dedeaux with Jim Barr and Brent Strom. (Photo/Courtesy of USC Athletics) Back in Time

College Baseball’s Cardinal and Gold Era: Remembering Our 1970 Champs

The Trojans won a College World Series in dramatic style. Here’s how it went down.

2 min readAthletics, Baseball, Championships, Coaches
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Faisal Rashid LAPD officer Faisal Rashid (Courtesy of Faisal Rashid) Trojan Voice

‘I Became a Cop to Fight Injustice. We Need to Do Better’

The LAPD reserve officer and USC radiation oncology specialist talks about combating racism as a society.

6 min readAlumni Life, Social Impact, Alumni, Criminal Justice, Race and Ethnicity
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Ritu Riyat (Photo/Courtesy of Ritu Riyat) Pressure Points

You Can’t Always Stop Stress, but Here’s How to Feel More in Control

Stress detox expert Ritu Riyat MPH ’04 helps people develop a healthier relationship with stress.

3 min readAlumni Life, Health, Mental Health
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Abstract illustration of people with their hands up coming out of the American flag (Illustration/David Plunkert) Votes of Confidence

Can Policy Reforms Get Young Voters and People of Color to the Polls?

To encourage civic engagement among young adults and minorities, USC’s Mindy Romero aims to make it easier to cast a ballot.

3 min readPolicy/Law, Social Impact, Elections, Faculty, Politics, Public Policy, Race and Ethnicity, Sociology
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USC military alumni Justin Lee Lt. Justin Lee works in Palm Springs at a tactical operations center, where he oversees platoons on humanitarian missions throughout the region. (USC Photo/Gus Ruelas) Proud to Serve

USC Military Alumni Serve as Heroes in Pandemic

Whether on planes, trucks or ships, Trojans use their training and USC connections to help communities facing COVID-19.

3 min readAlumni Life, Social Impact, Alumni, Community Health, COVID-19 Heroes, Military, Public Service
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Person playing guitar. (Illustration/Scott Bakal) (Illustration/Scott Bakal) The Caregivers

Three Stories from the COVID-19 Front Lines Inspire Healing and Hope

A Keck Medicine of USC doctor, respiratory therapist and music therapist share memories from the pandemic.

5 min readHealth, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes, Health Care
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USC doctors and nurses (Photo/Courtesy of Catherine Pradt) Trojans Together

Photos of Front Line Health Workers That Will Fill You With Trojan Pride

When the virus started hitting Angelenos, these Keck Medicine of USC professionals rose to the challenge.

1 min readHealth, Photo, COVID-19, COVID-19 Heroes, Health Care, Keck Medicine, Medicine
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Maria Morales celebrating Class of 2020 at home with family (Photo/Brian van der Brug) The Show Goes On(line)

Smiles, Tears and Pride: Trojans Worldwide Cheer on the Class of 2020

USC graduates, friends and family celebrate at home to Fight On against the coronavirus.

3 min readStudent Life, University, COVID-19, Events, Students
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