Niki and I hope that 2015 is off to a wonderful start for you. We are so fortunate that each new year brings exciting achievements from members of our Trojan Family. Just before the holiday break, we were delighted to learn that three additional USC professors will be inducted into the National Academy of Inventors, an esteemed group of innovators that comprises 21 Nobel laureates. The USC group includes Professor Mark Thompson, who is perhaps most known for his groundbreaking work on organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens; Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis, who is best known for Contour Crafting, his robotic construction system that 3-D prints buildings; and Professor Alan Willner, who has pioneered consequential research on increasing data transfer through optical fibers and, more recently, experimented with twisting light beams, as well as twisting radio beams to send data at exceedingly fast speeds. Their accomplishments continue to bring tremendous honor to the university, and we warmly applaud this most recent recognition.
A moving tribute to a Trojan legend
At the Tournament of Roses, USC alumnus Louis Zamperini was recognized with a very touching tribute. Mr. Zamperini was selected last summer as the parade’s grand marshal, but passed away shortly after his selection. To honor him at the parade, USC’s beloved mascot, Traveler, followed the grand marshal banner as a riderless horse, a traditional symbol of a fallen soldier. This speaks to the remarkable power of Mr. Zamperini’s story, which continues to inspire people around the world. A track star while a student at USC and at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Mr. Zamperini served as a pilot in World War II, during which his plane was shot down over the Pacific Ocean. He survived adrift at sea for 47 days before being picked up by enemy troops, and spent two harrowing years as a prisoner of war. His story is the subject of Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption, as well as the recent film Unbroken. To commemorate Mr. Zamperini’s achievements, USC has established an endowed scholarship in his name, which will be awarded to a track and field athlete each year.
Trojan student-athletes show their spirit
The Trojan football season concluded at the Holiday Bowl with an exciting win over the University of Nebraska. The spirit our athletes showed on the playing field was matched by the compassion and generosity they showed in our communities. Throughout the holidays, Trojan student-athletes—drawn from six different sports—distributed gifts to disadvantaged children in South Los Angeles. Reflecting on the experience, football player Chris Willson said, “Being at USC, we have an amazing platform to reach out to the community. But with that platform comes great responsibility.” His words capture the wonderful spirit of the holidays—and a spirit that is uniquely Trojan!
When we returned from the break, Niki and I were thrilled to learn that Trojan great Randy Johnson was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In achieving this distinction, the left-handed pitcher joins two other legendary Trojans: New York Mets pitcher Tom Seaver and Toronto Blue Jays front office executive Pat Gillick. Mr. Johnson pitched at USC from 1983 to 1985, with his best year coming as a senior. He had a magnificent 22-year career in the big leagues and was named to 10 All-Star teams, as well as Most Valuable Player of the 2001 World Series.
Last week, with the new semester off to an excellent start, I was delighted to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as a special guest of the Global University Leaders Forum (GULF). For many years, USC scholars and leaders have attended this annual meeting, so we have long had a presence at the event. This year, I joined a number of illustrious Trojan alumni, faculty, and trustees, including Marc Benioff, Jane Harman, and Suzanne Nora Johnson, at the meeting. I attended discussions at the GULF Governor’s meeting, attended forum sessions, and met with business leaders and legislators from around the world. It was an exceptionally informative and productive trip.
Back at USC, Niki and I enjoy seeing classes in full swing, with our talented students filling the campuses. Just before the semester started, the university announced the appointment of a new dean for our Gould School of Law: Andrew T. Guzman. Professor Guzman comes to USC from the University of California, Berkeley, where he has distinguished himself as one of our nation’s leading scholars of international law. We are so pleased to welcome him to the Trojan Family, and look forward to the coming year—and all that it holds for our community.
Yours truly,
C. L. Max Nikias
President