USC Alumni Association names 2016 honorees

William J. Schoen ’60, MBA ’63, a USC trustee, the founder of Health Management Associates Inc., and chairman of the Schoen Charitable Foundation, will receive the Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award, the university’s highest alumni honor, at the 83rd Annual Alumni Awards on April 16.

“Bill Schoen stands among USC’s most dedicated supporters and is a tremendous friend to our community,” said USC President C. L. Max Nikias. “He and his wife, Sharon, have taken a special interest in our veteran-students through their generous funding of the Schoen Family Scholarship Program for Veterans Endowment. Their philanthropy benefits so many of the brave servicemen and women who have served our nation and will have an enduring impact for generations to come.”

In addition to Schoen, the USC Alumni Association will recognize six other Trojans for their achievements and contributions to USC.

Other honorees

Joseph M. Boskovich Sr. ’75, MBA ’77, chairman and founder of Old West Investment Management, and a member of the USC Board of Trustees since 1999, will receive an Alumni Merit Award.

“Among this year’s outstanding honorees is Trustee Joseph Boskovich, whose dedication to USC academics and athletics is exceptional,” Nikias said. “A recognized business and industry leader, Joe has championed the growth of the USC Marshall School of Business and the USC Caruso Catholic Center, and we are extremely fortunate to benefit from his experience and insights. He and Gail are great Trojans!”

Suzanne Dworak-Peck ’65, MSW ’67, social work pioneer and former president of the National Association of Social Workers, and Scott A. Stone ’79, an award-winning producer of more than 40 television series, will also receive Alumni Merit Awards.

America Ferrera ’13, an Emmy Award-winning actress (Ugly Betty) and activist, will receive the Young Alumni Merit Award.

William Heeres PharmD ’63, the former chair and a current member of the USC School of Pharmacy Board of Councilors, and John Lytle DDS ’58, MD ’65, a longtime supporter of both the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and the Keck School of Medicine of USC, will receive Alumni Service Awards.

“This year’s honorees demonstrate how USC enriches our lives intellectually, culturally, professionally and socially,” said Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations Patrick Auerbach EdD ’08.

Health and entrepreneurship

Schoen is a successful entrepreneur who founded Health Management Associates in 1985. During his 28-year tenure as chairman of the board and CEO of the Florida-based corporation, which owned, leased and managed a network of 73 acute care and psychiatric hospitals, Health Management Associates became a Fortune 500 company.

He is also the founder of the Schoen Charitable Foundation, which supports a variety of youth- and family-oriented initiatives, including the USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative.

A former U.S. Marine, he established the Schoen Family Scholarship Program for Veterans Endowment at USC with his wife in 1986. In 2012, the Schoens contributed an additional $10 million to increase the endowment, which to date has provided financial support to more than 200 veterans. A member of the USC Board of Trustees since 2005, Schoen also serves on the USC Marshall School of Business Board of Leaders.

“William J. Schoen is a role model for the Trojan Family,” said Michael E. Adler ’86, MBA ’92, president of the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors. “We are honored to present him with this year’s Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award.”

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 Grammy Award-winning musician Herb Alpert ’54, four-time Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans ’95, U.S. Sen. Dean Heller ’85 (R-Nev.) and film icon John Wayne ’27. All proceeds from the event support the USC Alumni Association’s programs and services.