As we begin a new semester at USC, I want to share a few important successes, starting with what is certainly a landmark moment in our university’s 132-year history. In December, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously (15-0) to approve the USC Specific Plan, which includes our plans for the USC Village. This will create a vibrant new center for student and community life, while bringing much-needed student housing and retail to the area. This ambitious project—planned for the area just north of the University Park Campus—represents a huge step forward in USC’s goal of becoming a fully residential university, as it will nearly double university-owned student housing.
This exciting news drew national attention, and we’ve gathered some of the coverage for you here. These pieces will give you a sense of the project’s scope, as well as the tremendous benefits it will bring to USC and our surrounding neighborhoods. As you know, USC already stands as the largest private employer in Los Angeles, and this project will create 12,000 new jobs—8,000 of which will be permanent. Meanwhile, the project’s economic impact is estimated to be $1.1 billion.
In addition to the wonderful news regarding the USC Village, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) announced its new fellows last fall, and we were delighted to learn that fifteen of this year’s honorees are members of USC’s faculty. These esteemed scientists come from across USC’s campuses, and represent the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Viterbi School of Engineering, Keck School of Medicine, and Davis School of Gerontology. The enclosed insert describes the contributions of each USC fellow in some detail, and acknowledges the honor they collectively bring to the university in receiving this prestigious distinction. The AAAS dates back to 1848, and publishes the journal Science.
On the subject of academic honors, I also want to congratulate two of our exceptional undergraduates for recent successes. Senior Alexander Fullman was awarded a highly competitive Marshall Scholarship. This award—given to only 34 students in the United States this year—recognizes Alex’s stellar leadership and superb academic record. He is a political science major and carries a minor in communication law and media policy. With this scholarship, he will attend Oxford, where he will pursue a master of philosophy in comparative government.
Another senior, Nishita Deka, is an Astronaut Scholar and received a $10,000 scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. This accolade remains the largest STEM merit award given in the United States. Nishita conducts research in a USC optics laboratory, and is majoring in electrical engineering at our Viterbi School, with plans to earn a doctorate in the field. I know everyone at USC is tremendously proud of both Alex and Nishita, and we wish them continued success in their studies.
Speaking of accolades, I was so pleased to see the excellent profile of Dr. Arthur Bartner in The Wall Street Journal over the holiday break. Dr. Bartner has been USC’s marching band director for a remarkable 42 years, and has inspired generations and generations of USC students. This piece captures his singular spirit, as well as his tremendous passion for music, our marching band, and USC. He is such a beloved member of the Trojan Family, and this profile certainly pays tribute to his charismatic leadership and dynamic personality. The attention is so well deserved!
Finally, it gives me great pleasure to write that our men’s water polo team earned its fifth straight NCAA national championship. This came with a dramatic 11-10 win over UCLA, extending the Trojans’ record to a perfect 29-0. The enclosed insert celebrates this remarkable achievement, and offers additional details about the team’s impressive season. I want to add that this title represents USC’s 118th national championship—a feat that speaks to the steely dedication and drive of all of our talented student-athletes and their coaches, dating back generations. To them, we say: Fight On!
In closing, and as the spring semester gets into full swing, I want to send you my very best wishes for 2013. At USC, we feel great enthusiasm about the coming year, and each month, I look forward to sharing highlights of the university’s successes with you. Your support certainly helps us advance our mission, and for this, we are deeply appreciative.
Yours truly,
C. L. Max Nikias
President