Prominent Trojans recognized at 86th annual USC Alumni Awards

Seven outstanding Trojans were honored for their professional achievements and legacy of service at the 86th annual USC Alumni Awards on Saturday at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.

Kathleen L. McCarthy ’57, a USC trustee and the chairperson of the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation, one of California’s largest philanthropic organizations, received the university’s highest alumni honor, the Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award. The award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the university and the community by giving generously of their time, energy and leadership.

“Kathleen McCarthy is an extraordinary Trojan whose contributions to USC have enriched and enhanced the lives of generations of students,” USC interim President Wanda M. Austin said. “Her generosity, integrity and commitment to excellence inspire all of us to follow her lead and make a positive impact on the world. She truly is a USC treasure.”

USC Alumni Awards go to businesspeople, university leaders

Alumni Merit Awards, which recognize alumni whose remarkable accomplishments speak well for the range and quality of a USC education, were presented to Sandra Evers-Manly ’81, the vice president of corporate responsibility for Northrop Grumman and the president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation, and Michael Nyman ’86, the former chairman and CEO of PMK•BNC, one of the top communications, marketing and consultancy firms in entertainment and pop culture. He recently founded and is CEO of Acceleration Community of Companies, a grouping of marketing and media companies.

The Young Alumni Merit Award, a similar award presented to a Trojan age 35 or younger, went to biotech entrepreneur Kevin Xu ’11, CEO of two successful life-science corporations, MEBO International and Skingenix. Xu also co-founded the National Rongxiang Xu Foundation, which promotes the advancement of regenerative science to improve human health.

“We are thrilled to recognize these accomplished alumni,” said Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations Patrick E. Auerbach. “The opportunity to honor a respected Fortune 500 executive like Sandra Evers-Manly, an innovative marketing and communications expert like Michael Nyman, and a rising biotech entrepreneur like Kevin Xu, is a privilege for USC and the Trojan Family.”

The Alumni Service Award, which recognizes alumni for their outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of the university, was presented to Herb ’58 and Kathy Goodman ’62, emeritus members of the USC Athletics Board of Counselors and devoted supporters of Trojan Athletics; and Lloyd Greif MBA ’79, who endowed the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the USC Marshall School of Business and currently serves on the Greif Center’s Board of Advisors and the USC Marshall Board of Leaders.

“The Alumni Service Award recognizes those who are exemplars of Trojan volunteerism,” said USC Alumni Association Board of Governors President Michael A. Felix. “Each is deeply committed to serving USC, and we are proud to recognize their decades of hard work at this year’s Alumni Awards celebration.”

Every year since 1932, the USC Alumni Association has paid tribute to distinguished members of the Trojan Family. The annual Alumni Awards gala is the premier event hosted by the USC Alumni Association. Past honorees include Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong ’70, world-renowned architect Frank Gehry ’54 and opera great Marilyn Horne ’53. More recent honorees have included social work pioneer and USC Trustee Suzanne Dworak-Peck ’65, MSW ’67, actress and activist America Ferrera ’13 and Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara ’86.

Proceeds from the event support USC Alumni Association programs and services.