The USC Parents Association encourages parental involvement in campus activities and events and raises funds for faculty scholarship awards. All parents of USC students are members of the Parents Association.

Parents Association Mission Statement

The USC Parents Association is committed to strengthening the partnership between the University and parents which will enhance the parent and student experience. The Parents Association is focused on engaging parents with other parents and the university and embracing parent programs that parallel the mission and goals of the university.

Dear USC Parents:

Congratulations to all new Trojans!  And, a warm welcome back to all returning sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, and their families.  Dan and I will always remember the happy spring day when our son Daniel received his “big envelope” in the mail, welcoming him to the Trojan Family. To be selected to become a Trojan, to have the privilege and honor of attending and earning a degree at this great university is a supreme accomplishment.  USC received over 37,000 undergraduate applications this year, for a freshman class of 2,700.  This is no doubt the most academically talented and diverse group of new students to enter this university in its 131-year history. So we say again -- Congratulations!

Three years ago, Dan and I wanted to both support our son in his academic and social experience at USC, and, quite frankly, to actively take part in the Trojan Family which we were instantly welcomed into with open arms.  We decided to join Parents Council, and found ourselves faithfully attending Parents Council meetings, safety meetings, and other (we discovered) wonderful and very fun social events such as the Basketball Event, Theatre Event, Dr. Bartner’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, USC Alumni Association Annual Gala, Tailgate Picnics and USC Football Games.  We had so much fun!  Not only did we meet lively, interesting parents who provided us with valuable guidance regarding opportunities available for our son in Marine Biology, but we also met professors and many wonderful people here -- people who are making a positive impact in the world -- whether it’s a 97-year-old world-famous dentist who invented special techniques used internationally, or President Max Nikias and conversing with him about his recent visit with the Prime Minister of India, or the football coaches, or the dedicated alumni who graduated decades ago and are still as active as ever in university events, or the myriad of world-renowned professors and administrators who are more than happy to take time out of their busy schedules to meet and socialize with us parents.  Where else could someone have such an opportunity but as a part of the Trojan Family in general, and of the Parents Council in particular.  At USC you will find that these highly accomplished Trojans will greet you warmly, converse with you sincerely, and leave no doubt in your mind that you are a member of the Trojan family.  You will soon see that  alumni and staff alike are deeply devoted to USC, maintain fierce loyalty to the university, and give and give -- and keep on giving -- because they believe in this most vibrant and alive campus.  And USC gives back, sometimes in unexpected, surprising ways.  Dan and I always left USC in high spirits, wishing we could stay longer -- almost wishing we were students again, and able to enjoy the university experience full time.

Because of the opportunities available here at USC, our son has connected with Children’s Hospital as a volunteer research assistant, and is currently assisting physicians with research on Sickle Cell Anemia.  Daniel has spent this last semester at USC’s Wrigley Institute on Catalina Island, studying Marine Biology through a progressive masters program and earning his diving certificate as an aside. Frankly, he learned about the progressive masters program through a Parents Council member whose son was in the same program.  And, another member of the Parents Council who is a surgeon is graciously offering to provide our son more hospital experience this summer.  Only at USC!

For the last three years, Carmel participated in the Parents Council Teaching and Mentoring Committee, helping to select three award-winning professors to be honored during Parents Weekend, an exciting three-day event in October which you won’t want to miss if at all possible.  Each year this Teaching and Mentoring Committee work involved spending a summer day reviewing resumes and applications, learning about many wonderful, highly accomplished and very caring professors who devote so much of their lives to research and instructing and mentoring USC students.  At the Parent Council’s elegant reception, during Parents Weekend, we were able to meet and have dinner with all of the professors who were nominated for an award.

Dan and I have discovered that USC is truly education at its best.  Not only is your student offered the finest in academia in every department and school, but if you walk around the university on any given day you will see that the students are happy, hopeful, and obviously excited about their lives and their future.  You can share in this enthusiasm by participating in the Parents Council

In the spring of 2011, co-presidents Gregg and Lisa Gipe approached Dan and I, asking of our interest in possibly serving as co-presidents of USC’s Parents Council for the 2011/2012 school year. We were very honored by their request, and consider it a privilege to serve this great university.  For the last two years, Gregg and Lisa have worked tirelessly, doing a fabulous job in their position as co-presidents.  Not only did they guide fund-raising to enable the establishment of a generous endowment for the Teaching & Mentoring Program, but Parents Council enjoyed speakers such as Edward Roski, Pat Haden, Dean Gillman, Dean Ellis, Mitch Creem, and President Nikias! What a fantastic year!

Dan and I  plan to continue this Parents Council tradition of presenting wonderful programs for our USC Parents:  We already have plans for Dean Elizabeth Daley of the School of Cinematic Arts scheduled to speak at the Parent Council’s September meeting; for Dean Donal Manahan to speak about his unique marine biology research at our November meeting; and, for Provost Elizabeth Garrett to speak in March. By attending our Parents Council meetings you will have the opportunity to not just meet with your fellow esteemed parents (and if you’re like Dan and I you will indeed be impressed by your fellow parents), but to meet and ask questions of these unparalleled academic professionals who are at the top of their respective fields. 

We invite and urge you to join us!!  The more time you spend at USC, the more you will realize the uniqueness of this university -- the Trojan family, the Trojan spirit -- a family that will truly create bridges for your son or daughter all through their lives.  These will be bridges of opportunity, bridges to help their dreams to come true, bridges for personal success, and especially bridges to help make the world a better place.  They will be infused with the Trojan spirit, a fighting, persevering, “never give up” spirit that will carry their own, self-discovered ingenuity, creativity, intelligence, and strengths to new heights, accomplishments and discoveries!!

We look forward to meeting you.  And, of course, FIGHT ON! 

For further information about the Association or the Parents Council, please contact us at DanCarGardner@mac.com.

Sincerely

Carmel and Dan Gardner, Co-Presidents, 2011/2012