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 9/12/2012
U.S. News & World Report featured USC in its annual Best Colleges rankings. USC was ranked at No. 5 among Up-and-Coming Schools; the list recognizes the universities that are making the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty and student life. USC was ranked No. 24 among all National Universities. In a list highlighting economic diversity, the magazine ranked USC at No. 4 among national universities for its percentage of undergaduates receiving Pell grants. The USC Marshall School was No. 11 on the list Best in Undergraduate Business, and the USC Viterbi School was No. 23 among Top Programs on the Best in Undergraduate Engineering list. USC was also ranked No. 38 on the list of schools that offer the best value for the money. Los Angeles Times featured the rankings.
Inside Higher Ed highlighted research by Richard Brutchey of the USC Dornsife College and postdoctoral researcher David Webber, who made a breakthrough in paint-on solar cells. Solar cells can be printed just as one prints a newspaper, Brutchey said.
Los Angeles Times, in a Variety story, ran an obituary for Bob Lambert, chairman emeritus of USC’s Entertainment Technology Center. “Bob was one of the most respected technology executives in the media and entertainment business,” said Kenneth Williams of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, executive director of the center. He added that Lambert’s friendship and tremendous insight will be greatly missed. Los Angeles Times, in a second Variety story, noted that Lambert served on the board of directors at USC and other institutions.
KPCC-FM highlighted research by Dina Mayzlin of the USC Marshall School on fake reviews posted to sites like Expedia and TripAdvisor. Mayzlin said that one clue to spotting fake reviews is the extreme — either a five-star or a one-star review. She noted that Expedia was less likely to have fake reviews, because users actually had to have made purchases through the site in order to post a review.
NBC News Los Angeles affiliate KNBC-TV ran a column by Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of the USC Price School about Gov. Chris Christie’s criticism of Gov. Jerry Brown. The New Jersey governor said that California voters chose “an old retread” over rival Meg Whitman. Jeffe wrote that Brown has had a successful week, delivering two major pieces of legislation. “From here on out, I’d be careful with your California tongue lashings, if I were you, Gov. Christie,” Jeffe wrote.
Chicago Tribune quoted Wendy Wood of the USC Dornsife College on the value of habits.
ABC News Los Angeles affiliate KABC-TV interviewed Douglas Vanderbilt of the Keck School of USC about bullying of autistic children.
CBS News Los Angeles affiliate KCAL-TV interviewed Ange-Marie Hancock of the USC Dornsife College about the Republican and Democratic conventions.
KPCC-FM’s “On Central” mentioned a free workshop on krump dancing to be held at USC in celebration of the art form’s 10th anniversary. The event is part of Visions and Voices: The USC Arts & Humanities Initiative.
Men’s Fitness covered research by Victoria Cortessis of the Keck School of USC and a colleague, finding that young men with certain types of testicular cancer were more likely to have smoked marijuana.