Category: News

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

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

USC delegation brings key concerns to Washington

  • Publication date April 24, 2015
USC Chief of Staff Dennis Cornell, President C. L. Max Nikias, and Trustees Bruce M. Ramer and Christopher Cox pose with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Washington D.C. (USC Photo/Eric Abelev)

WASHINGTON — With cherry blossoms blooming and spring in full swing, USC President C. L. Max Nikias led a delegation of trustees, senior administrators and deans to the nation’s capital Wednesday. Running two concurrent tracks led by Nikias and Provost Michael Quick, delegates discussed with lawmakers a number of pressing issues affecting higher education including research funding,…Continue Reading USC delegation brings key concerns to Washington

USC delegation brings Cal Grants plea to Sacramento

  • Publication date April 9, 2015
Stopping during their visit to Sacramento are, from left: Trustee Christopher Cox; Randolph Hall, vice president of research; Martha Escutia, vice president, government relations; Thomas Sayles, senior vice president, university relations; Provost Michael Quick; Gov. Jerry Brown; Trustee Robert Padgett; President C. L. Max Nikias; Trustee Lisa Barkett and husband Bill Barkett; and Dean of Financial Aid Thomas McWhorter. (USC Photo/Eric Abelev)

USC President C. L. Max Nikias led a delegation of trustees and senior administrators to the State Capitol in Sacramento today to speak with Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers including Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff, Assemblymember Reggie Sawyer-Jones and Senator Kevin De Leon. USC delegates stressed the importance of maintaining the current level of Cal…Continue Reading USC delegation brings Cal Grants plea to Sacramento

President Nikias addresses Mexico’s Council of Foreign Relations

  • Publication date March 5, 2015
USC President C. L. Max Nikias addressed Mexico’s Council of Foreign Relations (COMEXI) on Thursday, March 5, 2015; here, Nikias is seen with COMEXI President Jaime Zabludovsky. (USC Photo/Eric Abelev)

Hghlighting the potential of educational diplomacy, USC President C. L. Max Nikias spoke this morning to members of Consejo Mexicano de Asuntos Internacionales (COMEXI), Mexico’s Council of Foreign Relations. COMEXI’s members include foreign and Mexican diplomats, industry leaders, elected officials and various government and non-governmental organizations.

In his remarks, Nikias stressed the important and evolving role research universities will play in supporting and promoting global partnerships and development and described the initiatives USC is undertaking to be at the center of this international push….Continue Reading President Nikias addresses Mexico’s Council of Foreign Relations