Month: May 2015

President and first lady wrap up Europe trip with warm reception in Athens

  • Publication date May 29, 2015
President Nikias and Niki Nikias with US Ambassador to Germany John Emerson, and his wife, Kimberly

USC President C. L. Max Nikias, joined by first lady Niki C. Nikias, received a warm welcome upon returning to his undergraduate alma mater earlier this week for a special ceremony held in front of more than 100 faculty, senior administrators, family, and friends. President Nikias graduated from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)…Continue Reading President and first lady wrap up Europe trip with warm reception in Athens

Japanese prime minister returns to campus; USC in D.C.; Trustee Joan Payden honored; LA Times Festival of Books

  • Publication date May 29, 2015
President Nikias, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie Abe; and Niki C. Nikias tour USC's University Park Campus in May. (USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)

I had the profound honor of welcoming the prime minister of Japan, the Honorable Shinzo Abe, back to USC—as the final stop on his recent diplomatic visit to the United States…Last month, I led a delegation of USC trustees, deans, and senior administrators to Washington, D.C., where we met with a range of distinguished government officials…This year’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative Scholars gala—which saluted the accomplishments of 61 exceptionally talented young students in the program—was particularly special, as it also provided an occasion to honor our longstanding trustee, Joan Payden. …Continue Reading Japanese prime minister returns to campus; USC in D.C.; Trustee Joan Payden honored; LA Times Festival of Books

The Class of 2015 celebrates commencement amid raindrops and words of wisdom

  • Publication date May 15, 2015
USC President C. L. Max Nikias addresses the gathered crowd during Friday morning's commencement ceremony. (USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)

As raindrops pelted caps and gowns during USC’s 132nd commencement ceremony, finance executive and main speaker Mellody Hobson offered USC graduates three words of wisdom to conquer any of life’s storms: Just add bravery. “Bravery,” Hobson told the Trojans, “allows us to push beyond the boundaries that hold us back from living the lives that…Continue Reading The Class of 2015 celebrates commencement amid raindrops and words of wisdom

Celebrating the first Mork Family Scholars graduating class

  • Publication date May 15, 2015
C. L. Max Nikias, Niki C. Nikias, John Mork and Julie Mork with the first ever graduating class of Mork Family Scholars (Photo/Steve Cohn)

Earlier this week, President Nikias and first lady Niki Nikias joined Chairman of the Board of Trustees John Mork and his wife Julie, to celebrate the first graduating class of Mork Family Scholars. The 19 graduates come from a broad range of disciplines encompassing the arts, sciences and engineering. Many attended the celebratory dinner with…Continue Reading Celebrating the first Mork Family Scholars graduating class

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown offers unique perspective to USC students

  • Publication date May 8, 2015
USC President C. L. Max Nikias, Niki C. Nikias, Gordon Brown and USC Dornsife Dean Steve Kay, from left, at a USC luncheon (Photo/Steve Cohn)

Gordon Brown, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, recently spent two weeks at USC, joining Steven Lamy, professor of international relations and vice dean for academic programs, in teaching the course “Case Studies in Modern Leadership.” Offering an intensive study of international politics and economics at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the…Continue Reading Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown offers unique perspective to USC students

High-energy enthusiasm greets President and First Lady in Texas

  • Publication date May 4, 2015
President C. L. Max Nikias and Niki Nikias with Cecilia Abbott, the First Lady of Texas, who attended USC's Trojan Family Reception in Austin. The Governor and First Lady are proud, soon-to-be Trojan parents.

President Nikias and First Lady, Niki Nikias, returned over the weekend from a three-day tour of Texas, including stops in Houston, Austin and Dallas. They hosted Trojan Family Receptions, meeting hundreds of alumni, parents, and other friends of the university during their whirlwind tour of the state. In his remarks, President Nikias highlighted USC’s close bonds…Continue Reading High-energy enthusiasm greets President and First Lady in Texas