Month: August 2014

Judge Robert Maclay Widney Statue Unveiling

  • Publication date August 30, 2014

Delivered on August 29, 2014 at the unveiling of the Judge Robert Widney statue on the USC campus

One simply cannot overestimate Judge Widney’s role in USC’s birth and early growth. He personally drafted the university’s articles of incorporation, which our statue now holds, and you’ll soon see. He asked and convinced three real estate partners – Childs, Downey, and Hellman – to donate the land. He was the first chairman of USC’s board of trustees. His brother, Joseph Widney, founded USC’s medical school in 1882 and later became the second president of the university.

Judge Widney donated $100,000 for the university’s first endowment fund—an extraordinary amount in that age—and he would later supervise the management of this fund. He was a dreamer, a visionary, a builder. Through force of will, he reimagined a region and the destinies of countless others who would follow here….Continue Reading Judge Robert Maclay Widney Statue Unveiling

Legacy of Judge Widney Immortalized on Campus

  • Publication date August 29, 2014

The legacy of USC founder Judge Robert Maclay Widney was celebrated at the unveiling of an 8-foot bronze sculpture newly installed at the entrance of the Judge Widney Alumni House, during ceremonies held on the USC campus on August 29th, 2014.

The 1,000 lb. art piece was created by renowned California-born artist Christopher Slatoff, and the ceremony was attended by USC Trustees, senior leadership, and members of the USC community as the Trojan Marching Band led the crowd in a spirited display of cheering and music. Special honored guests at the event were the living descendants of Judge Widney, who presented USC President C. L. Max Nikias with two family artifacts: a top hat and cape owned and worn by Joseph Widney, Judge Widney’s brother and the second president of USC. The pieces have been donated to the University and will be preserved in USC’s permanent archive….Continue Reading Legacy of Judge Widney Immortalized on Campus

Top ranking for Cinematic Arts; honoring distinguished Trojans; Trustees advance USC’s mission

  • Publication date August 29, 2014

The Hollywood Reporter ranked the USC School of Cinematic Arts first in the nation. USC community remembers University and Distinguished Professor Warren Bennis, Major General Harold J. Greene, Xinran Ji, Louis Zamperini, and Professor Michael Preston. USC Marshall receives a stellar gift from Thomas J. Barrack and his family; and Andrew and Erna Viterbi give $15 million to support USC Viterbi and the USC Shoah Foundation….Continue Reading Top ranking for Cinematic Arts; honoring distinguished Trojans; Trustees advance USC’s mission

Message to Ambassadors

  • Publication date August 25, 2014

August 29, 2014 Niki and I are eager to begin a new academic year at the university—our fifth as president and first lady of USC—and hope you had a wonderful summer.  We are certainly pleased to be back, and to feel the energy of our new and returning students and faculty.  We draw such pride…Continue Reading Message to Ambassadors

Welcome, Class of 2018!

  • Publication date August 22, 2014

As the new freshman class arrived on campus with families and belongings in tow, USC President C. L. Max Nikias, Mrs. Niki C. Nikias, and USC Board of Trustees chair John Mork (left center, second row) greeted the incoming Trojans in front of Birnkrant Residence Hall.

“USC is a place today where 53,000 applicants competed for 2,700 spots in the freshman class,” President Nikias told the sea of enthusiastic faces during convocation ceremony, part of the week-long program of activities known as Welcome Week. “We searched far and wide to find you. … So if you feel very special to be here today, I’ve got news for you — it’s because you are!”…Continue Reading Welcome, Class of 2018!