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2014

USC Torchbearer Luncheon 2014 Program

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Page 1: USC Torchbearer Luncheon 2014 Program

2014

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b Program bWelcomeRobert Beyer

USC Dornsife TorchbearerUSC Alumnus (B.S., Business Administration, ’81)

USC Dornsife Board of Councilors Member

lunch

BenefactoR RemaRkselaine and Graham smith

USC Dornsife Torchbearers PhilanthropistsUSC Parents

student RemaRkslaura kagami

USC Dornsife JuniorHuman Biology Major and Psychology Minor

Recipient of Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF)

dean’s RemaRkssteve kay

Dean of USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and SciencesAnna H. Bing Dean’s Chair

November 5, 2014

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WELComE To THE USC DorNSIFE TorCHBEarEr LUNCHEoN

The beauty of donating to a college is that there is a living, breathing return on your investment. So, what better way to demonstrate how your generosity enriches lives than ensuring you have a chance to meet some of our students and professors at the annual USC Dornsife Torchbearer Luncheon. For example, you might hear from one student who — thanks to donor funds — traveled to brazil to learn about healing from different cultural perspectives through our Problems Without Passports program. or you might learn from one of our faculty members that his team is working on “Google maps” for the brain to show how you get from one place to another within its circuitry. For the first time in our history, outside of our naming gift, USC Dornsife surpassed the $100 million mark in fundraising with $138 million in just one year. And we have passed the halfway mark for the USC Dornsife initiative as part of the Campaign for the University of Southern California. This success was driven by the opportunities you chose to invest in from endowing centers and chairs, to establishing scholarships and fellowships. To accelerate this momentum, however, we continue to need your partnership. There are so many students and faculty members who are thriving as a result of your gifts, and yet more who could benefit from future support. At USC Dornsife, philanthropy is not a one-way street; rather it is a dynamic relation- ship that includes our donors, recipients and administrators. So I encourage our students and faculty members to get to know the wonderful people who back them, and of course, for those who give to meet the scholars who are using their resources for the greater good of humanity. For it is through this innovative partnership, I believe, that our USC Dornsife community can ask the critical questions, make monumental breakthroughs and move forward to forge great change.

STEvE a. KayDean, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Anna H. Bing Dean’s Chair

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ELaINE aND graHam SmITH, BENEFaCTor SPEaKErS

Graham Smith is the former chief financial officer of Salesforce.com. Headquartered in San Francisco, Salesforce.com is an enterprise cloud computing leader. Prior to joining Salesforce, mr. Smith served as CFo of Advent Software, CFo of vitria Technology and CFo for Nuance Communications. earlier, he spent 11 years at oracle, lastly as vice president of finance for worldwide operations. mr. Smith also serves on the board of Splunk, Inc. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and politics from bristol Univer-sity in england and qualified as a chartered accountant in england and Wales. elaine Smith, a business graduate of Trent University in england, was operations director of a London-based public relations company prior to moving to the United States. She serves on the board of and recently co-chaired the 50th Anniversary Gala of the Hillsborough Auxiliary to Peninsula Family Service, a nonprofit organization that focuses on raising money for programs benefitting more than 20,000 families in San mateo County. In addition to establishing the Smith Family Scholarship at USC Dornsife, mr. and mrs. Smith also support several other educational institutions. They have established scholarships at University of Colorado, boulder and San Jose State University as well as supported Summer Search and benioff Children’s Hospital at University of California, San Francisco. The Smiths have three children, Dominic, robert and Isabelle. Their youngest son, robert, is currently a junior at the USC Price School of Public Policy.

LaUra KagamI, STUDENT SPEaKEr

Laura Kagami is a third-year undergraduate from Honolulu, Hawaii, majoring in human biology with a minor in psychology. Her areas of academic interest span a wide spectrum from biology and chemistry to the social sciences and dance. She believes USC’s intellectual and integrative nature inspires her to pursue creativity and innovation in everything that she does. During her time at USC, she has been a part of numerous programs including: Alpha epsilon Delta (USC’s premedical honor society), USC repertory Dance Company, Xpressions Dance Company and the Hawaii Club. She also served as a research assistant under the direction of Andrew Gracey, associate professor of biological sciences, and Khalil I karous, assistant professor of linguistics, on an National Science Foundation-funded project that links biology and linguistics, relating the movement of C. elegan worms, the octopus and the human tongue. After completing her degree, she plans to pursue a career in the medical field.

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a USC DorNSIFE TorCHBEarEr

A USC Dornsife Torchbearer advances the mission of USC Dornsife; supports the scholarly pursuits of USC students and faculty in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences; lights the path for future generations; and transforms lives through innovation, discovery and community. You are a USC Dornsife Torchbearer because you support USC Dornsife in one or more of the following ways:

F undergraduate scholarships and/or graduate fellowships

F student research and programs

F faculty research

F endowed chairs

F research and learning facilities

F institutes and centers

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THE TraNSFormINg PoWEr oF ENDoWmENT

Private philanthropy has played an important role in the development of universities throughout history. Generous benefactors help institutions of higher learning maintain and advance their role as the foundation of human knowledge and culture by providing the resources that make possible groundbreaking scientific discoveries, masterpieces of art and great works of philosophy. endowment is one of the most important ways for a university’s supporters to provide enduring sources of funding and a way for them to make a lasting mark on society. Today, the University of Southern California’s donors continue this tradition through endowment giving that makes a profound impact on the university and the world. endowment enables a donor to foster excellence in perpetuity and to associate a name with a treasured institution and endeavor. Consider the Lucasian Professor of math- ematics at Cambridge University, established in 1663 with funds left in the will of reverend Henry Lucas. For more than 300 years the Lucasian Professorship, once held by Sir Isaac Newton and until recently by Stephen Hawking, has been linked to some of the most important discoveries in physics. At USC, Katherine and Donald Loker will always be connected to Professor George olah and his Nobel Prize-winning work in chemistry. To endow a scholarship is to establish a bond with generations of talented students. To endow a lab is to be associated with endless discoveries. To endow a department is to be affiliated with all of the academic and scholarly accomplishments associated with the faculty and students in that program. The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences proudly carries a name that symbolizes an endowment that ensures support in perpetuity for outstanding undergraduate education, Ph.D. programs, and creative and scholarly research.

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aBoUT ENDoWED CHaIrS

The academic tradition of endowed chairs dates back to 1502, when margaret of richmond, mother of Henry vII, established the Lady margaret Professorship of Divinity at oxford University. Today, the endowed chair has evolved into one of the most prestigious and permanent investments that can be made in any university. These seats constitute a powerful means of attracting and retaining superior faculty members by providing a permanent source of financial support above and beyond salary, for use in research, teaching or service activities. Furthermore, endowed positions offer a unique opportunity for students to study under the guidance of world-class scholars. The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences has more than 50 endowed chairs.

Dean Steve Kay, Hope Warschaw, Robert Shrum and Provost Elizabeth Garrett at the installation of Professor Shrum as the inaugural Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics,September 2014

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aBoUT ENDoWED SCHoLarSHIPS aND FELLoWSHIPS

endowed scholarships and fellowships are essential to providing deserving students with the support they need to pursue a university education. Scholarships are also one of USC’s most effective tools in attracting and retaining the best students in the country both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They can benefit the institution and its students in a variety of ways: by recognizing demonstrated academic excellence, by encouraging scholarly activity in a particular discipline, or by alleviating financial hardship. endowed scholarships appeal to many donors due to their permanence. because only the income is spent on the scholarship each year, the donor’s original gift remains intact, ensuring the longevity of the scholarship for generations to come. While donors create a legacy with their gifts, scholarships also help recipients learn the tradition of philanthropy and involvement. These recipients may be inspired to support other students, ensuring a vibrant academic community for the future.

Angel Njenga, 2013 USC Dornsife Torchbearer Luncheon student speaker

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USC DorNSIFE CENTErS

Shinso Ito CenterFor Japanese Religions and Culture

Shinnyo-en, an international buddhist order of nearly a million practitioners made a historic gift to USC Dornsife College to name its Center for Japanese religions and Culture. The center was established in 2011 to serve as a hub for the study of Japan at the university and the new name honors Shinnyo-en’s current leader, Shinso Ito. Shinnyo- en’s support represents one of the largest gifts ever given to a center dedicated to the study of Japan in North America.

“It is because of philanthropic gestures such as this that USC can be a leader among American universities in contributing to the strengthened partnershipwith Japan that I know we all envision for the future.”– steve kay, Dean, USC Dornsife

“Shinnyo-en views this support of the center as an expression of our commonpurpose with USC to educate people from diverse backgrounds to becomeeffective agents for understanding, peace and harmony in the world.” – Rev. minoru shitara, Director, International Affairs, Shinnyo-en

New

Endowed Funds, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014

Her Holiness Shinso Ito, Head of the Shinnyo-enBuddhist Order, at the Lantern Floating Hawaii 2013 Ceremony (Honolulu, Hawaii)

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ENDoWED CHaIrS aND DIrECTorSHIPS

Linda and Harlan Martens Endowed Director’s Chair for the USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute

USC Dornsife alumni and longtime champions of USC Linda and Harlan martens established the Linda and Harlan martens endowed Director’s Chair for the USC- Huntington early modern Studies Institute (emSI). emSI has a strong collaborative partnership with the Huntington Library and supports research and scholarship on human societies across the globe between 1450 and 1850. It advances interdisciplinary research in the areas of history, art history, literature and music.

“The key was that emSI is something that’s really out front in academiaright now, and if we could help propel that further we really wanted to.”– harlan martens, USC Dornsife Torchbearer

Linda and Harlan Martens Economic History Forumof the USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute

The Linda and Harlan martens economic History Forum of the USC-Huntington early modern Studies Institute brings together today’s foremost thinkers in economic history from across the globe to develop viable solutions to current economic challenges through expert examination and dialogue.

Linda and Harlan Martens with Dean Steve Kay and Chairholder Peter Mancall at 2013 USC Dornsife Torchbearer Luncheon

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Garrett and Anne Van HunnickChair in European History

Sisters elizabeth and Wilhelmina van Hunnick generously established the Garrett and Anne van Hunnick Chair in european History in honor of their parents who were born in the Netherlands and came to the United States as young adults.

“my mother and father instilled a love of learning in usand taught us to appreciate our european heritage.”– elizabeth Van hunnick, USC Dornsife Torchbearer

Andrew J. and Erna Finci Viterbi Executive Director Chair at USC Shoah Foundation

USC Trustee Andrew J. viterbi (electrical engineering Ph.D., electrical engineering, ’62) and his wife, erna, added to their rich legacy of philanthropy at USC with a generous gift to boost scholarship in genocide studies. While still children, both Dr. and mrs. viterbi fled europe and came to the United States with their families before World War II due to growing anti-Semitism. Their contribution to the USC Shoah Foundation — The Institute for visual History and education to establish the Andrew J. and erna Finci viterbi executive Director Chair will bolster efforts to share testimonies of Holo-caust and genocide survivors around the world.

“Andrew and erna viterbi stand among USC’s most ardent champions,and this generous gift reflects their longstanding commitment to investingin people. Through this endowment, the USC Shoah Foundation cansupport transformative faculty, helping them to advance research that willbenefit our world for generations to come. We remain deeply grateful forthe viterbis’ continued confidence.”– usc President c. l. max nikias, President, University of Southern California

USC Trustee Andrew Viterbi and Erna Finci Viterbi

New

Endowed Funds, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014

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STUDENT SUPPorT

Fisher UndergraduateFellows Program

Understanding the importance of experiential learning to undergraduate education through his own participation in USC Dornsife’s Problems Without Passports program, alumnus Samuel G. T. Fisher (b.S., environmental studies, ’11) established the Fisher Undergraduate Fellows Program to ensure these enrichment opportunities could be pro-vided to first-generation college students. The program’s goal is to establish a network of citizen-scholars who have excelled in the classroom and made a difference in the various communities in which they participate.

“USC Dornsife took my initial vision to support first-generation students and transformed it into a total reality that is going to create a lot of good and progress at the university.” – sam fisher, USC Dornsife Torchbearer

Margee and Douglas GreenbergResearch Fellowship

margee and Douglas Greenberg have a longstanding relationship with the USC Shoah Foundation — The Institute for visual History and education. Dr. Greenberg served as the institute’s executive director from 2006 to 2008 and is currently an Institute Fellow, conducting research using survivor testimony. The couple believes strongly in the mission of the institute — to overcome intolerance, bigotry and violence through the educational use of the institute’s visual History Archive — and generously funded a fellowship dedi-cated to research. recipients are doctoral candidates studying at USC or at an institute’s partner site who will advance testimony-based research in the visual History Archive.

“one of the key reasons for creating the fellowship is the fact that the institute is now based at a research university. We wanted to support the academic side of the institute’s work in a more robust way.” – margee Greenberg, USC Dornsife Torchbearer

Charles IshamScholarship Fund in Economics

Alumnus Charles Isham (b.S., economics, ’65, mbA ’72) wanted to make sure that students in need would not feel the same financial burden that he experienced as an undergraduate and be able to take advantage of all the opportunities available. With this goal, mr. Isham generously made a life pledge to establish a scholarship in support of USC Dornsife undergraduates studying economics.

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Richard and Kathy LeventhalScholarship

As USC parents, richard and Kathy Leventhal are dedicated supporters of academic opportunities for USC students. They have generously funded several initiatives at USC Dornsife and established a new endowment for scholarships awarded by the provost.

Michael PrestonScholarship in Urban Politics

Dr. michael Preston was a valued professor and administrator who left behind a great legacy of teaching, scholarship and service. This fund will benefit an undergraduate in political science studying urban politics or civil rights, and will serve as a testament to Dr. Preston’s many contributions to USC Dornsife, throughout the university and the community.

Smith FamilyScholarship

established with a gift from Trojan parents elaine and Graham Smith, this scholarship supports students at USC Dornsife who demonstrate financial need, academic achieve-ment and a proven commitment to the betterment of the community. With a sense of gratitude for the educational opportunities their own children have been fortunate enough to receive, the Smiths provide students with the resources to experience the same opportunities at each of the schools their children attend.

Commissioner Michael L. WilliamsEndowed Scholarship Fund

Commissioner michael L. Williams received three degrees from USC. While a student, he was a track athlete and very involved in campus activities. Upon reflecting on his impactful USC experience, which led him to a successful career in politics, he wanted to provide the same opportunity to future generations of Trojans. The Commissioner michael L. Williams endowed Scholarship is awarded to undergraduates studying at USC Dornsife, with a preference to students from his home state of Texas.

“I beam with great pride when recalling my experiences at USC. Those years taught me to do the most with opportunities afforded me; to lead, to listen, to teach, to learn, and to give back where much is due. That’s why the least I coulddo was assist today’s future leaders and entrepreneurs secure the opportunityto realize and achieve their full potential and become part of the Trojan Family.”– commissioner michael Williams, USC Dornsife Torchbearer

New

Endowed Funds, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014

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ProgrammINg aND FaCILITy SUPPorT

Joyce J. CammilleriHall Stage Fund

Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall is an integral component to the Dornsife Neurosciences Pavilion, which houses the brain and Creativity Institute. The pavilion’s design illustrates the mission of the institute with side-by-side laboratories dedicated to the scientific methods of investigating the mind and brain, such as magnetic reso-nance scanning (mr), and one of the oldest instruments for understanding of the human mind: a classical auditorium. The auditorium, Cammilleri Hall, boasts state-of-the-art acoustics and is devoted to music and theater performances, literary readings, and scientific presentations.

Sandy and Steve CozenFund

The mission of the USC Shoah Foundation — The Institute for visual History and education is something that Sandy and Steve Cozen feel passionately about supporting. mr. Cozen serves on the institute’s board of Councilors as the chair of its initiative and has been instrumental in the efforts to increase the awareness of the institute on the east coast. The couple recently endowed the Sandy and Steve Cozen Fund, which will provide needed resources to continue the important work of the institute in perpetuity.

The Delta MurphyDistinguished Lecture

The Delta murphy Distinguished Lecture Series was established to explore issues on significant topics within the areas of the environment, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, sustainability in the era of climate change, and land use issues on Catalina Island, the Channels Islands and beyond. Delta murphy’s time, vision and resources were key to forming the USC Wrigley Institute Advisory board, and as a community leader, she will have a lasting impact on the USC Wrigley Institute for environmental Sciences and its continued evolution.

Joyce Cammilleri with her sons Guy, Marcus and Leo

Delta Murphy at USC Boone CenterDedication, 2007

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For more information:

call: 213-740-4990 e-mail: [email protected]

To view a list of scholarships, fellowships and endowed chairssupported by USC Dornsife Torchbearers,

visit: dornsife.usc.edu/torchbearer