USC is 23rd in the U.S. News & World Report list of “Best Colleges” released Tuesday. In the previous year’s rankings, USC tied for 23rd with UCLA and Carnegie Mellon, both of which fell to 24th in the new rankings.

Social work pioneer Suzanne Dworak-Peck ’65, MSW ’67, has donated a historic $60 million to endow and name the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, cementing its standing as one of the world’s most innovative institutions within the discipline and strengthening its renowned educational and research programs. The gift is one of the largest contributions from an individual to a school of its kind.

Virtual reality technology now is being used to manage pain, to assist people who have disabilities and to provide mental health support for veterans. Media are invited to attend USC research conferences and demos about these topics next week.

The historic gift is an investment in the school’s future and the future of the profession on a global level.

After service in India, Nepal, Denmark and Panama, students discuss their experiences at a USC gathering.