April 30, 2015
In recent weeks—and with great pride—our community has celebrated the landmark gift from longtime benefactors Mark and Mary Stevens. Their exceptionally generous $50 million gift—which names the USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute—will dramatically advance the university’s pioneering brain research, allowing our researchers to expand the understanding of the human mind and discover new ways to treat and prevent the most perplexing and tenacious brain disorders of our time. These advances will have direct implications for those living with Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, autism, epilepsy, traumatic brain injuries, and learning challenges.
The newly named institute includes the renowned Laboratory of Neuro Imaging (LONI), which was brought to USC in 2013 by Professors Arthur Toga and Paul Thompson, two of the world’s most prominent and prolific researchers in neuroimaging. At USC, they lead a dynamic team of 130 faculty researchers and staff, and have achieved an impressive list of firsts. Their team was the first to map the spread of Alzheimer’s disease in the living human brain, and the first to create comprehensive, population-based, digital 3-D atlases of the brain to examine the effects of neurological diseases. This group also was among the first to assemble and integrate large quantities of data toward a comprehensive picture of the brain.
With this milestone gift, Mark and Mary Stevens enhance their already spectacular philanthropic legacy. When considered alongside their previous naming gifts for the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation and the Stevens Academic Center, this contribution places them among the most illustrious benefactors in our university’s history, as well as among our nation’s most distinguished philanthropists in higher education. This gift also speaks to their abiding affection for our university—a dedication that spans four decades. Mark earned two bachelor’s degrees from USC—one in electrical engineering, and the other in economics—as well as a master’s in computer engineering. For the past 18 years, he has been a member of the Board of Councilors for the Viterbi School of Engineering, and since 2001, has served with great distinction on the USC Board of Trustees.
Michael Quick appointed USC provost
Earlier this month—following a rigorous, national search—Michael Quick assumed the role of provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at USC. I consider this to be the most significant appointment in my cabinet, as the provost is the university’s chief academic officer and plays a decisive role in our continued ascent. Provost Quick, who is a professor of biological sciences in our Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, has held a number of leadership positions at the university, having most recently served as our vice president for academic affairs. In each of these roles, he has proven to be an inspiring and tactical leader, and demonstrated tremendous foresight, intellect, and resolve in advancing the university’s initiatives. The Los Angeles Times recently profiled Provost Quick, and he spoke of USC’s position as a research powerhouse. “It’s my take that we actually have a moral responsibility to do great things,” he said. “That inspires me.”
USC in Sacramento
On April 8, I led a delegation of USC trustees and administrators to Sacramento, where we met with state legislators. On the same day of our visit, the Sacramento Bee published an OpEd, in which I call on the state government to pass a bill that increases funding to Cal Grants for students at private universities. In recent years, we have seen that while Cal Grants to public institutions have increased in value, those for students at private nonprofit universities have decreased. The full text of my OpEd accompanies this letter, along with photos from our meetings and events.
Athletics campaign charges ahead
USC Athletics has proudly exceeded its fundraising goal of $300 million, and stands as the first USC program to complete its portion of the campaign—well ahead of schedule. I want to personally salute Pat Haden, our athletic director, for his exceptional leadership and USC Athletics’ most successful fundraising ever—all against the backdrop of NCAA sanctions. That said, we will continue to rely on our supporters’ dedication; although we have realized our goal, we can still do so much more for our remarkable student-athletes, as well as for initiatives and programs throughout the university.
Two distinguished Trojans
The USC Board of Trustees recently welcomed two new members: Heliane Steden and William McMorrow. An alumna of our Marshall School of Business, Ms. Steden is managing director at Merrill Lynch and, during her time at USC, was a three-time All-American tennis player. Mr. McMorrow serves as chairman and chief executive officer of Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, having received an MBA from USC Marshall. They are both outstanding additions to our board, and I look forward to their guidance in the coming years.
Yours truly,
C. L. Max Nikias
President