Each year, USC programs and faculty research are highlighted in print, broadcast and online stories throughout the world. Highlights of recent news coverage are compiled by USC Media Relations.
USC in the News 6/6/2012
Featured Stories
The Times (South Africa) featured USC Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni, highlighting his work as an entrepreneur, academic, attorney and writer. Soni was recently included in an L.A. Weekly list of Los Angeles' most fascinating people. "At a young age, I was fascinated with spirituality and social justice, and that early interest shaped my personal and professional life," Soni said.
Time featured research by Jan St. John, Howard Hodis, Naoko Kono and Wendy Mack of the Keck School of USC and colleagues, finding that the consumption of soy supplements doesn't improve memory development in general. However, increased soy was found to improve facial recognition skills in women over the age of 45. The research was also covered by United Press International, ABC News Chicago affiliate WLS-TV and CBS News Birmingham, Ala., affiliate WIAT-TV.
Voice of America featured The World Is Just a Book Away, a charity run by James Owens of the USC Marshall School that is building libraries for children and families in Indonesia. Since 2009, the charity has opened 49 children's libraries and 26 libraries for adults. "They do not have access to books, history and fables and stories and science, that can really spark their imagination and let them dream," Owens said. In March USC students held a 5K run to raise $8,000 for one of the libraries. The charity plans to open libraries in Mexico in the future.
KPCC-FM's "On Central" featured USC Hybrid High, a new charter school launched by the USC Rossier School to help at-risk youth. The school, which has a goal of achieving a 100 percent graduation rate, is currently holding orientation sessions for prospective students. It will be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week to accommodate students who are working or taking care of family. "The notions of the square box classroom and school don't necessarily work for everyone; it's an artifact," said Melora Sundt of the Rossier School. "I'm really excited to open in the fall and begin to work with our students and families," said Stephanie McClay, principal of USC Hybrid High.
The Dallas Morning News highlighted a study by Diane Winston of the USC Annenberg School and a University of Akron colleague, finding a large gap in understanding between reporters and news consumers on the issue of religion. The story noted that two-thirds of non-reporters polled think religion coverage is too sensationalized; only one-third of reporters feel that way.
FishbowlLA featured Deborah Schoch of the USC Annenberg School, who recently wrote about the experience of receiving cataract surgery. Schoch is a senior writer for the California HealthCare Foundation Center for Health Reporting, which is spearheaded by the Annenberg School. She said that "skepticism can dog health care journalists, who in turn dog their own physicians."
Experts Quoted
Los Angeles Times quoted David Carter of the USC Marshall School on what the Los Angeles Kings' Stanley Cup win means for their brand.
Los Angeles Times quoted Dan Schnur of the USC Dornsife College about increased political competition in California's newly drawn districts.
The Atlantic quoted Elizabeth Currid-Halkett of the USC Price School on how pet-friendly policies contributed to the revitalization of downtown Los Angeles.
Associated Press quoted Dan Schnur of the USC Dornsife College about Proposition 28, involving legislator term limits. The Sacramento Bee and San Jose Mercury News also quoted Schnur.
NBC News Los Angeles affiliate KNBC-TV interviewed Dan Schnur of the USC Dornsife College about the USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times Poll and local political issues. The story also interviewed Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of the USC Price School.
The Press-Enterprise quoted Andrei Simic of the USC Dornsife College about how major metropolitan cities like New York and Chicago have long been first stops for European immigrants.
The Sacramento Bee cited Martin Kaplan of the USC Annenberg School regarding political commercials.
La Opinion quoted Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of the USC Price School about a lack of enthusiasm among California voters.
News at a Glance
Los Angeles Times mentioned that the USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times Poll found President Obama leading Mitt Romney among California voters 56 percent to 37 percent. The poll was also covered by National Journal.
Los Angeles Times reported on the investigation into the deaths of two USC students in April. The story was also covered by The Huffington Post and L.A. Weekly.
Inside Higher Ed mentioned that Jerome Hoffman of the Keck School of USC co-wrote an op-ed with a University of California Davis professor on prostate cancer screenings.
The Deadbolt ran a Q&A with Paul Frommer of the USC Marshall School on how he created the Barsoomian language for the Disney film "John Carter."
The Financial (Georgia) mentioned that Blair Taylor, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, is on the Board of Councilors for the USC Rossier School.
Los Angeles Times included Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in a list of hospital safety rankings.
Scientific American ran a column by USC student Roxana Aslan about the USC Dornsife College's Guam and Palau Program.
La Opinion mentioned that a program at USC supported a student who wanted to attend college.
KPCC-FM's "On Central" reported on employment options for graduates of film and television schools such as the USC School of Cinematic Arts.