The USC Thornton School of Music has created its first-ever venue designed especially for songwriters. The Songwriter's Theater, which will be inaugurated on March 24, involved an extensive renovation of a space in the lower level of The Music Complex on campus.

The opening will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by a performance at 7 p.m. featuring current students and alumni from USC Thornton's Popular Music program, including singer Rozzi Crane.

USC will recognize six honorary degree candidates for their contributions to the community as civic, academic, scientific and arts leaders as part of the university’s 134th commencement ceremony on the University Park Campus May 12. Approximately 15,000 degrees will be conferred during USC’s commencement this year, including more than 1,500 doctorate degrees, either at the main ceremony in Alumni Park or at one of the satellite ceremonies across campus. More than 60,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event.

USC Viterbi-hosted EngX attracts students who want to be engineers.

USC experts in social support hope to help the country with its demographic dilemma.

Recipients include a social work visionary, a leading researcher in the fight against AIDS, a spinal surgery innovator, an award-winning actress, the chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and a popular comedy star.

Architecture students at USC have designed a creative solution to temporarily shelter homeless women: petite pods built of birch, steel and aluminum that can be stacked and rearranged on parking lots or vacant plots of land. These mini cabins are expected to be cheaper and lighter, simpler to replicate and easier to put up and take down.

Jonathan LoPresti has been a doctor at L.A. County+USC Medical Center for 36 years. But he’s fearful of what will happen if millions lose health insurance next year under the GOP plan to repeat Obamacare. And he worries about the impact on his hospital and its patients.

Alum Jason Thalken uses his head to help fighters sharpen their skills.

The event brings smiles, tears and opened envelopes to Health Sciences Campus.

USC’s dramatic victory marks the team’s 13th comeback from a double-digit deficit, most in NCAA Division I.