78TH Annual USC: Alumni Awards

What: The USC Alumni Association will honor:

* Ronald N. Tutor, recipient of the Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award, USC’s highest alumni honor
* Larry S. Flax and Bryan Lourd, recipients of the Alumni Merit Awards, honoring individuals whose accomplishments reflect the range and quality of a USC education
* Mark Sanchez, recipient of the inaugural Young Alumni Merit Award, recognizing the outstanding achievements of alumni under the age of 35
* George L. Pla and Robert and Elizabeth Plumleigh, recipients of Alumni Service Awards, recognizing outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of USC
* Joann Koll, recipient of the Fred B. Olds Award, honoring extraordinary service to the university over a long period of time
* USC President C. L. Max Nikias and First Lady Niki C. Nikias, recipients of honorary alumni awards, recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary and highly valued contributions to the university

When and Where: Saturday, April 30, 6:00 p.m.
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel
404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Who: Ronald N. Tutor is the chairman and CEO of Tutor Perini Corporation, one of the world’s leading civil and building construction companies; Larry S. Flax is the co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen, an internationally recognized leader in California-style cuisine, with more than 260 restaurants worldwide; Bryan Lourd is a managing partner of Creative Artists Agency, the leading entertainment and sports agency; Mark Sanchez is the quarterback of the NFL’s New York Jets; George L. Pla is a founding member of the USC Latino Alumni Association and the president, CEO and founder of Cordoba Corporation; Robert and Elizabeth Plumleigh are dedicated supporters of several USC schools and organizations, including the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the USC School of Theatre; Joann Koll is a longtime USC volunteer and past chair of the university’s Alumnae Coordinating Council; and Dr. C. L. Max Nikias and his wife Niki C. Nikias are the university’s president and first lady.

More: Since 1932, the USC Alumni Association has paid tribute to distinguished members of the Trojan Family. The annual Alumni Awards is the association’s premier event with all proceeds supporting USCAA programs and services. Past recipients of the Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award include astronaut Neil Armstrong, opera star Marilyn Horne and Hollywood icon John Wayne.

ABOUT THE USC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The USC Alumni Association’s mission is to support the overall advancement of the University of Southern California by engaging all alumni for life, building a culture of philanthropy among the Trojan Family, and being the representative voice for all USC alumni.

With more than 300,000 members worldwide, the USC Alumni Association supports more than 100 affiliated alumni clubs, alumnae support groups and multicultural alumni organizations, and distributes more than two million dollars each year in scholarships for USC students.  In addition, the association annually hosts hundreds of events and programs around the world, and provides benefits and services to all USC alumni.

Contact: Tim Knight at (213) 740-5948 or timothy.knight@usc.edu