Year: 2015

USC praised for rapid ascent among top universities; Cinematic Arts and Annenberg School receive support for diversity; National Book Award for Poetry honors USC student

  • Publication date December 23, 2015

This is always a very special time of year, when the warmth and compassion of the holiday spirit combines with the joy and optimism of the Trojan spirit… Two outstanding articles that focused on USC’s recent successes, including reporter Joe Matthews’ reflection on our university’s dramatic ascent… A separate story in Business Insider focused on the success of Trojan alumni, highlighting nine of USC’s most illustrious tech graduates… Furthering USC’s proud history of diversity, the George Lucas Family Foundation announced a $10 million gift to the university. This gift—directed to our School of Cinematic Arts by alumnus George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson—stands as the largest single donation for student support in the school’s history, and will provide scholarships for African-American and Latino students, evenly divided between male and female students at the undergraduate and graduate levels….Continue Reading USC praised for rapid ascent among top universities; Cinematic Arts and Annenberg School receive support for diversity; National Book Award for Poetry honors USC student

Five business leaders and philanthropists elected to USC Board of Trustees

  • Publication date December 3, 2015
Tracy Sykes, David Bohnett, Jeanie Buss, USC President C. L. Max Nikias, Kathy Leventhal and Kris Popovich (USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Five new members have been named to the USC Board of Trustees, adding to the group’s diverse body of experienced leaders and philanthropists. The new trustees are technology entrepreneur David Bohnett ’78, Los Angeles Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss ’85, former media executive Kathy Leventhal, community leader and longtime USC benefactor Kris Popovich ’65, MBA ’70…Continue Reading Five business leaders and philanthropists elected to USC Board of Trustees

Trojan Family Thanksgiving for students — with Dr. and Mrs. Nikias

  • Publication date December 1, 2015
President C. L. Max Nikias and his wife, Niki C. Nikias, enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with students. (Photo: USC/Steve Cohn)

Continuing a Thanksgiving tradition they began in 2010, President C. L. Max Nikias and his wife, Niki C. Nikias, opened up their homes to students last Thursday. Together with their daughters, Georgiana and Maria, the Nikiases hosted over 400 guests, who were treated to a traditional Thanksgiving meal that included oven roasted free range turkey, ciabatta stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry…Continue Reading Trojan Family Thanksgiving for students — with Dr. and Mrs. Nikias

L.A. Memorial Coliseum set for renovations; Global Conference in Shanghai draws record number of participants; USC International Academy dedicated

  • Publication date November 30, 2015

Niki and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that you’re enjoying the holiday season with your friends and family. For the sixth straight year, we hosted more than 400 USC students in our home on Thanksgiving. For us, this is always a special highlight of the fall semester, and an excellent opportunity to spend time with some of USC’s exceptionally talented students, including many international students who experience this uniquely American holiday for the first time… Just a few weeks before, we traveled to Shanghai for the 2015 USC Global Conference, which was a stellar success… The week before our Global Conference, we dedicated the USC International Academy in its new home in the renovated Davidson Conference Center. …Continue Reading L.A. Memorial Coliseum set for renovations; Global Conference in Shanghai draws record number of participants; USC International Academy dedicated

Nikias, Visions and Voices event introduce students to reimagined Antigone

  • Publication date November 20, 2015
USC President C. L. Max Nikias discusses the play Antigone with the cast. (USC Photo/Michael Baker)

USC president joins cast and director in discussion of the play’s timeless themes. As part of a special Nov. 19 Visions and Voices event, 160 students traveled to a performance of the classic play Antigone by A Noise Within, a Pasadena-based theater company. The students saw more than a play, though: Afterward, USC President C….Continue Reading Nikias, Visions and Voices event introduce students to reimagined Antigone

Nikias talks tech with Silicon Beach executives

  • Publication date November 19, 2015
Shirin Salemnia, Founder and CEO of PlayWerks, talks with USC President C. L. Max Nikias

Innovation was the subject of the day as USC President C. L. Max Nikias talked tech with Silicon Beach-based senior executives from companies like Google, YouTube, Yahoo, SpaceX and IMAX. The Nov. 18 event at USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies in Playa Vista was hosted as part of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce’s Power Hour series….Continue Reading Nikias talks tech with Silicon Beach executives

President Nikias honors trustee Ming Hsieh at Global Conference Closing Gala

  • Publication date October 31, 2015
President Nikias honors trustee Ming Hsieh for his tireless contributions to the university (Photo: USC)

The 2015 USC Global Conference drew to a close in Shanghai tonight with the Gala Dinner in the Grand Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai. President C. L. Max Nikias honored USC Trustee Ming Hsieh for his role as co-chair of the event and for his overall contribution to the university. “Through the power of…Continue Reading President Nikias honors trustee Ming Hsieh at Global Conference Closing Gala

Nikias to co-teach undergraduate course; World Bachelor in Business gains international attention; safe ride services increase in popularity

  • Publication date October 30, 2015

Niki and I were delighted to spend this past weekend with so many parents and students for Trojan Family Weekend. The curiosity and creativity of our students continue to inspire us, and made me even more excited about returning to the classroom this spring to co-teach an undergraduate course with Professor Thomas Habinek, “The Culture of the Athenian Democracy”… Our World Bachelor in Business program—now in its third year—continues to gain international attention, and admission is more competitive than ever….Continue Reading Nikias to co-teach undergraduate course; World Bachelor in Business gains international attention; safe ride services increase in popularity

USC Global Conference 2015 opens in Shanghai

  • Publication date October 29, 2015
USC President C. L. Max Nikias speaks as the 2015 USC Global Conference gets underway in Shanghai. (USC Photo)

SHANGHAI – The 2015 USC Global Conference opened at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai today with a record attendance of more than 700 at the welcome dinner to start the event. Guests were treated to special performances by local artists and USC students. The conference runs through Saturday and features presentations and discussions among USC researchers, Chinese business…Continue Reading USC Global Conference 2015 opens in Shanghai

Davidson Conference Center rededicated for USC International Academy

  • Publication date October 22, 2015
From left to right: associate academic director Valerie Pierce, managing director Aga Paul, academic director Deborah Detzel, USC President C. L. Max Nikias, vice president for strategic and global initiatives Anthony Bailey, marketing director Terrence Liu, assistant director of administration Pamela Yamamoto Ireland and admissions and advising manager JJ Lee take part in the rededication of the Davidson Conference Center as the new home of the USC International Academy on October 21, 2015. (USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)

On October 21 2015, USC President C. L. Max Nikias led a rededication ceremony to formally inaugurate the Davidson Conference Center for the USC International Academy. A site once dedicated primarily to large-group meetings, the Davidson Conference Center on the northeast corner of the University Park Campus has been refitted to contain 28 classrooms. The change reflects the high…Continue Reading Davidson Conference Center rededicated for USC International Academy