Summer 2011

Summer 2011

Features

The only non-ordained, non-Christian university dean of religious life in the United States.

The Un-Chaplain

A Hindu and Buddhist by avocation, a comparative religion scholar by training, a lawyer and entrepreneur by trade, Varun Soni brings new meaning to the phrase ‘faith-based initiative.’

Doris Sung

Digital Builders

Meet seven USC architecture professors who are reshaping our urban spaces – one keystroke at a time.

“Wilson”: volleyball prop from the film Cast Away, directed by Robert Zemeckis ’73 and starring Tom Hanks, 2000 (Cinematic Arts Library)

Unexpected Treasures

Although USC is the earliest institutional collector of rare books in Los Angeles, the libraries’ diverse specialized collections are full of unexpected treasures.


Trojan Beat

USC president C. L. Max Nikias presents USC trustee Ratan N. Tata with a Trojan Cricket Club jersey as USC Board of Trustees chairman Edward P. Roski, Jr., looks on. Photo by Paul Peterson

The Road to India

Trustees and administrators make Trojan connections in the world’s second-most populous country.

Copyright ® 2011 Mark Anderson

Marilyn’s Lost Mementos

Historian Lois Banner examines the long-lost private papers of Marilyn Monroe.

New Releases

Trojan summer reading

Photo by Dietmar Quistorf

Small Wonder

A gene linked with dwarfism may provide protection from diseases

Know-It-All

Study measures the world’s total technological capacity

The Man Behind the Nose by Larry “Bozo” Harmon, with Scott McKenzie, was published in 2010 by Igniter, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Its flashy graphics and typography mirror its subject.

Being Bozo

Larry “Bozo” Harmon, The Man Behind the Nose


USC Doctors

 When Elizabeth Huttinger (right) discovered she had a degenerative spine condition, she turned to USC, where her mother, Dina Oldknow (left), had been treated for the same condition. Photo by Van Urfalian

Back to Life

Physicians at the Back and Spine Center at USC University Hospital reinvigorate patients’ quality of life


Support Report

Photo by Philip Channing

Transformational Gifts, Inspirational Names

The Dornsifes honor USC with an historic naming gift, the Mork Family gives scholarships to future leaders and the Engemanns bestow the gift of healthy living.


Family Ties

Janet Evans ’95, five-time Olympic medalist in distance swimming, delivered the day’s keynote address. Photo by Amy Opoka

Making a Positive Difference

A capacity crowd gathers to “Express, Encourage and Inspire” at the 2011 USC Women’s Conference.

The SCupper pictured here was held at El Cholo Restaurant in Los Angeles and was hosted by Mark Krouse ’74, MPA ’77, seated at left.

Alumni SCene

Trojans come to the table to socialize, support and celebrate

With Elise Welch ’11 of the USC Alumni Association’s student outreach program Society 53 at the helm, three eager Half Century Trojans ride back to college for a day of intellectual and social stimulation.

Class Is Back in Session

USC’s senior alumni hit the books at the USC Alumni Association’s third annual Going Back to College Day

Job seekers meet representatives from firms and organizations from across the nation.

For Alumni Only

USC hosts first-ever West Coast multi-school alumni career fair


Columns

Editor's Note

President's Page

Last Word


Departments

Mailbag

Class Notes