In last month’s letter, I shared the wonderful news of Glorya Kaufman’s exceptionally generous gift, which will create and endow the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center at USC. As that letter made its way to you, the Los Angeles Times published a magnificent profile of Ms. Kaufman in its Sunday edition, and I’d like to share that piece with you here. It captures Ms. Kaufman’s vibrant spirit and deep passion for dance, as well as her bold vision for dance education at USC. I hope you enjoy it.
In addition to Ms. Kaufman’s gift, USC celebrated a number of other landmark groundbreakings and gift announcements this fall, and the enclosed insert brings them all together. Trojan parents Jill and Frank Fertitta inspired us with their stellar gift to the USC Marshall School of Business, which will fund a new undergraduate instructional building and establish the USC Jill and Frank Fertitta Endowed Chair in Business. The groundbreaking for Jill and Frank Fertitta Hall will take place in May 2014.
Another alumnus, David Dollinger, contributed $10 million to endow the Master of Real Estate Development degree at the USC Price School of Public Policy. In 1987, Mr. Dollinger was part of the program’s inaugural class, and we are so pleased that it will be known in perpetuity as the Dollinger Master of Real Estate Development Program. His gift supports key investments in the program, including the recruitment of faculty, professional development opportunities for students, and alumni activities. Mr. Dollinger is a venerable entrepreneur in real estate development.
Additionally, Leonard D. Schaeffer, who stands among our nation’s leading experts on health policy, committed $25 million to endow and support the USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. Established in 2009, this dynamic center advances rigorous research in the area of health economics. With his gift, Mr. Schaeffer has ensured that USC will remain at the fore of public policy discussions in this area, while playing a crucial role in advancing human health and improving quality of life. At USC, Mr. Schaeffer holds a Judge Robert Maclay Widney Chair, an extremely select appointment that bears the name of our university’s chief founder. To announce the gift, we placed an ad in a number of our nation’s leading newspapers, and I’d like to share a copy with you here.
USC also celebrated a number of significant groundbreakings this fall, including one for Wallis Annenberg Hall, a new state-of-the-art building for the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Scheduled to open in fall 2014, Annenberg Hall will house cutting-edge laboratories and equipment, enabling the university to maintain its position as a leader in digital media communication and education. Wallis Annenberg, who is USC’s longest serving trustee, supported the construction with a $50 million gift.
Also this year, Wilfred “Fred” and Kerri Uytengsu committed $8 million to USC Athletics—the largest gift ever given to the department by a former student-athlete—and in November, we held the groundbreaking for the Uytengsu Aquatics Center. This will serve as a glorious new home for our men’s and women’s swimming, diving, and water polo teams, all of whom bring us tremendous pride. In fact, our men’s water polo team just won its fifth straight national title! The exceptionally talented team ended its season with a perfect 29-0 record, defeating UCLA in a hard-fought final.
During his own time at USC, Mr. Uytengsu exemplified the indomitable spirit of our student-athletes. He joined our swim team as a walk on during his freshman year and participated in all practices, even as he recovered from injuries caused by a car accident. In testament to their admiration, his teammates voted him captain for the 1983 season.
Also this fall, USC broke ground on Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall, the university’s first interdisciplinary social sciences building. This visionary structure was made possible by a $30 million gift from USC trustee Verna B. Dauterive, made in memory of her late husband, Peter W. Dauterive. The couple met as undergraduates in Doheny Memorial Library. Dauterive Hall, which is slated for completion in summer 2014, will provide a home for programs committed to addressing problems that cannot be solved by any single discipline.
The extraordinary generosity of this esteemed group of philanthropists inspires us, and we warmly salute their farsighted visions for the university, as well as their singular dedication to our community. As we celebrate the holidays, their commitment to USC—and to improving society—seems all the more meaningful. Niki joins me in sending you our best wishes for the holiday season and the new year, as well as our sincere gratitude for your continued service as a USC Ambassador.
Yours truly,
C. L. Max Nikias
President