Alumni

A Night to Celebrate the Trojan Family

The 92nd Annual USC Alumni Awards honored extraordinary alumni achievements, celebrated lasting legacies and showcased the spirit, pride and impact of Trojans around the world.

May 21, 2026 By USC Staff

The 92nd Annual USC Alumni Awards brought together the Trojan Family for an evening that blended celebration, reflection and unmistakable school spirit. “We will always be Trojans,” host Corinne Foxx ’16 declared to the crowd, underscoring the deep connections that unite generations of USC graduates.

The event, held in April, highlighted excellence across disciplines and decades. The Fred B. Olds Award was presented to legendary women’s basketball coach Linda K. Sharp, whose championship legacy continues to shape USC Athletics. The Alumni Service Award honored Cynthia van Eck ’86 for her extraordinary volunteer leadership, while the Young Alumni Merit Award recognized Alex Valenti ’18 as a rising force in the music industry.

Throughout the night, performances by the SoCal VoCals and lighthearted rounds of “Trojan Trivia” kept the atmosphere lively.

The evening culminated in the presentation of the Alumni Merit Awards to Eric Holoman ’83 and Maj. Gen. Albert C. Zapanta ’66, MPA ’73 — two leaders whose careers span business, service and global impact. USC President Beong-Soo Kim then presented the Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award, the university’s highest alumni honor, to Kris Popovich ’65, MBA ’70, recognizing a lifetime of dedication and philanthropy.

The evening’s celebrations were also a testament to the collective strength of USC’s alumni network, which helped raise more than $1 million for alumni programs and student scholarships. As the Spirit of Troy led the crowd in the USC fight song, the night ended as it began — with pride, gratitude and a resounding call to “Fight On!”

Read the profiles of this year’s alumni awardees, with insight from people who know them best.