USC to Mark 125th Anniversary
Contact: James Grant, Media Relations, (213) 740-6156 or
james.grant@usc.edu
Commemoration on October 6; Special Weekend Events
The University of Southern California, which first opened its doors October
6, 1880 to 53 students, will celebrate its 125th anniversary next week with
a series of special public events.
USC is the oldest independent teaching and research university in the West,
and the first university founded in Southern California. Over the years
USC has grown into a world-class research university with 32,000 students
from every state and more than 130 nations, 3,000 full-time faculty
members, and 225 buildings on two campuses. USC is now the largest private
employer in Los Angeles, and the university has a global alumni body of
approximately 180,000.
An abbreviated list of public events follows below. For more information,
please visit https://www.usc.edu.
THURSDAY, OCT. 6
Festival 125 Pavilion, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Alumni Park Artifacts from
USC’s past, including materials and photos from the 1880s, will be on
display along with current scientific and cultural demonstrations featuring
talking robots, video games, synthetic music, interactive art photography
and earthquake education.
Academic Celebration, 10:30 a.m., Bovard Auditorium USC President Steven B.
Sample will lead a ceremony marking the commemoration of the founding of
the university. Special guest speakers, performances, and multimedia
displays will trace the parallel development of USC and Southern
California.
125th Anniversary Birthday Celebration, Noon, Alumni Park Thousands of
members of the Trojan Family will gather for a ceremony featuring the
Trojan Marching Band, a gigantic birthday cake, and a special surprise.
125th Anniversary Concert, 7:00 p.m., Bovard Auditorium The USC Thornton
Symphony will present a concert featuring acclaimed musicians – violinist
Itzhak Perlman and pianist Norman Krieger – and a new composition by USC’s
Donald Crockett.
FRIDAY, OCT. 7
New York Gov. George Pataki, 2:30 p.m., Davidson Conference Center The USC
Law School’s Roth Lecture brings a distinguished speaker to campus
annually.
Alumni Association Panel Discussion, 3:00 p.m., Pardee Way Participants
will include Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, developer Rick Caruso,
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry and Los Angeles County Office of
Education Superintendent Darline Robles.
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, OCT. 6-9
Academic Showcases Across USC, dozens of academic lectures, panel
discussions, demonstrations, performances, open classes and facility tours
will be held.
Parents’ Weekend Special activities and briefings on the USC educational
experience will take place.
Student and Admissions Events A picnic lunch will be held for current
students, plus special briefings for potential students.
Athletic Events A series of major intercollegiate contests will be held.
Alumni Events Special events for alumni will include the reunion of the
Class of 1955.
