University Advancement : USC Associates : About the USC Associates

About the USC Associates

The Associates enriches the academic life of the university by making possible important programs and research that otherwise could not be funded. I count on the support and counsel of this group to enhance the USC experience for the entire university community.

— Steven B. Sample
President, University of Southern California

Mission

The USC Associates’ mission is to advance knowledge in the sciences, the humanities, and the professions through support of academic programs at the University of Southern California.

History

The USC Associates was formed in 1959 with a charter membership that included 18 of the 26 members of the 1959–1960 USC Board of Trustees. By the time the university celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1980, the Associates counted more than 1,000 alumni and friends among its ranks. Today — as the University of Southern California approaches its 125th anniversary in 2005–2006 — USC’s premier academic support group is nearly 3,000 members strong.

For many years, an annual dinner was the main USC Associates event. These gala dinners drew some of our region’s — and our country’s — most prominent and visionary leaders. The honored speaker at the 1963 USC Associates dinner, for example, was Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States. At the group’s tenth annual dinner in 1969, President Richard M. Nixon presented a tribute to Eisenhower, who had died earlier that year. President Nixon’s wife, Pat — a 1937 graduate of USC — addressed the 12th annual USC Associates dinner in 1972.

The 1970s saw the beginning of the USC Associates tailgate parties. The brainchild of Kennedy Galpin (’47), who became president of the USC Associates Board of Directors in 1973, these events became a powerful tool for attracting new members.

Eventually the tailgate parties evolved into the USC Associates pregame football picnics, which remain the most popular USC Associates function among members and their guests to this day. What’s more, in addition to organizing the perennially popular picnics, the USC Associates currently works with schools and other organizations across the university to sponsor events that bring the very best of USC to its members.

A Tradition of Leadership Giving

In the beginning, the USC Associates focused on raising funds for awards to recognize outstanding faculty. Over time, however, the group widened its spectrum of support. In the 1970s, for example, the USC Associates dedicated itself to endowing a series of chairs and professorships at the university. Today, by fostering teaching and learning in countless fields, the USC Associates remains true to its original charge of advancing knowledge through the support of academic excellence at the University of Southern California.

Not surprisingly, the USC Associates faculty awards and student scholarships are among the most highly coveted academic honors offered at USC. One of the university’s prestigious professional schools — the USC Rossier School of Education — is powered by the names of USC alumni and Associates members Barbara J. and Roger W. Rossier. Numerous campus landmarks — such as the Ahmanson Center for Biological Research, Birnkrant Residential College, Asa V. Call Law Library, Dedeaux Field, Richard K. Eamer Medical Plaza, General William Lyon University Center, Harlyne Norris Cancer Research Tower, Jane Hoffman Popovich and J. Kristoffer Popovich Hall, and Salvatori Computer Science Center, to highlight just a few — also bear the names of members of this extraordinary group. Thanks to another USC Associates member, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s newly opened Ronald Tutor Hall provides yet another state-of-the-art facility for teaching and research — one that that will help shape the future of engineering at USC.

The USC Associates Today

There can be no doubt that the enthusiasm, loyalty, and leadership of the USC Associates have played a key role in making USC the world-class institution that it is today. For nearly a half-century, Associates members have proven themselves to be among the most devoted members of the Trojan Family — fostering innovative research, education, artistic creation, and community service on many vital fronts at USC, and helping the university attract students and faculty of the highest caliber.

Today’s USC Associates offers a full array of membership levels and benefits, a wide-ranging calendar of events, and more support opportunities than ever before. When you join the USC Associates, you may elect to make an unrestricted contribution, or you may direct your gift to the school or program of your choice. Additionally, several of the university’s professional schools — including the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; USC Marshall School of Business; USC School of Cinema-Television; USC School of Dentistry; USC School of Pharmacy; USC School of Social Work; and USC School of Theatre — have established their own dedicated USC Associates groups, with their own select activities and giving options.

As the University of Southern California moves forward with its plan to redefine the research university of the 21st century, the USC Associates will be there — helping write exciting new chapters in the history of our great university.

We invite you to join the USC Associates!
Please click here to download a membership pledge form (in PDF format).

USC Associates
Bovard Administration Building 252A
3551 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0013
Phone: (213) 740-8722
Fax: (213) 740-9624


	Make a Difference Ways to Give Partners and Friends Development Contacts USC Associates About the USC Associates Membership Levels and Courtesies Calendar of Events Event Gallery 50th Anniversary USC Associates Faculty Awards USC Associates Scholarships USC Associates Board of Directors USC Associates Newsletter Contacting the USC Associates Foundation Relations Planned Giving to USC About the USC Associates The Associates enriches the academic life of the university by making possible important programs and research that otherwise could not be funded. I count on the support and counsel of this group to enhance the USC experience for the entire university community. — Steven B. Sample President, University of Southern California Mission The USC Associates’ mission is to advance knowledge in the sciences, the humanities, and the professions through support of academic programs at the University of Southern California. History The USC Associates was formed in 1959 with a charter membership that included 18 of the 26 members of the 1959–1960 USC Board of Trustees. By the time the university celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1980, the Associates counted more than 1,000 alumni and friends among its ranks. Today — as the University of Southern California approaches its 125th anniversary in 2005–2006 — USC’s premier academic support group is nearly 3,000 members strong. For many years, an annual dinner was the main USC Associates event. These gala dinners drew some of our region’s — and our country’s — most prominent and visionary leaders. The honored speaker at the 1963 USC Associates dinner, for example, was Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States. At the group’s tenth annual dinner in 1969, President Richard M. Nixon presented a tribute to Eisenhower, who had died earlier that year. President Nixon’s wife, Pat — a 1937 graduate of USC — addressed the 12th annual USC Associates dinner in 1972. The 1970s saw the beginning of the USC Associates tailgate parties. The brainchild of Kennedy Galpin (’47), who became president of the USC Associates Board of Directors in 1973, these events became a powerful tool for attracting new members. Eventually the tailgate parties evolved into the USC Associates pregame football picnics, which remain the most popular USC Associates function among members and their guests to this day. What’s more, in addition to organizing the perennially popular picnics, the USC Associates currently works with schools and other organizations across the university to sponsor events that bring the very best of USC to its members. A Tradition of Leadership Giving In the beginning, the USC Associates focused on raising funds for awards to recognize outstanding faculty. Over time, however, the group widened its spectrum of support. In the 1970s, for example, the USC Associates dedicated itself to endowing a series of chairs and professorships at the university. Today, by fostering teaching and learning in countless fields, the USC Associates remains true to its original charge of advancing knowledge through the support of academic excellence at the University of Southern California. Not surprisingly, the USC Associates faculty awards and student scholarships are among the most highly coveted academic honors offered at USC. One of the university’s prestigious professional schools — the USC Rossier School of Education — is powered by the names of USC alumni and Associates members Barbara J. and Roger W. Rossier. Numerous campus landmarks — such as the Ahmanson Center for Biological Research, Birnkrant Residential College, Asa V. Call Law Library, Dedeaux Field, Richard K. Eamer Medical Plaza, General William Lyon University Center, Harlyne Norris Cancer Research Tower, Jane Hoffman Popovich and J. Kristoffer Popovich Hall, and Salvatori Computer Science Center, to highlight just a few — also bear the names of members of this extraordinary group. Thanks to another USC Associates member, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s newly opened Ronald Tutor Hall provides yet another state-of-the-art facility for teaching and research — one that that will help shape the future of engineering at USC. The USC Associates Today There can be no doubt that the enthusiasm, loyalty, and leadership of the USC Associates have played a key role in making USC the world-class institution that it is today. For nearly a half-century, Associates members have proven themselves to be among the most devoted members of the Trojan Family — fostering innovative research, education, artistic creation, and community service on many vital fronts at USC, and helping the university attract students and faculty of the highest caliber. Today’s USC Associates offers a full array of membership levels and benefits, a wide-ranging calendar of events, and more support opportunities than ever before. When you join the USC Associates, you may elect to make an unrestricted contribution, or you may direct your gift to the school or program of your choice. Additionally, several of the university’s professional schools — including the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; USC Marshall School of Business; USC School of Cinema-Television; USC School of Dentistry; USC School of Pharmacy; USC School of Social Work; and USC School of Theatre — have established their own dedicated USC Associates groups, with their own select activities and giving options. As the University of Southern California moves forward with its plan to redefine the research university of the 21st century, the USC Associates will be there — helping write exciting new chapters in the history of our great university. We invite you to join the USC Associates! Please click here to download a membership pledge form (in PDF format).
	USC Associates Bovard Administration Building 252A 3551 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, California 90089-0013 Phone: (213) 740-8722 Fax: (213) 740-9624