While 2020 has been a year that many would rather forget, for some Trojans, there is reason to remember and celebrate for some members of the University of Southern California community. USC turned 140 on Oct. 6.
The USC Alumni Association sent out a tweet reminding Trojans that the school opened with only one building (known today as the Widney Alumni House) and 53 students.
Fast forward to today, USC has over 48,000 students and more than 4,400 full-time faculty. There are over 375,000 living alumni in the “Trojan Family.”
Steven Lamy, a professor of international relations, environmental studies and spatial sciences, has been at USC for 39 years. Lamy originally declined his acceptance into USC for graduate school and decided to go to University of Denver instead. Lamy found his way back to USC when he was recruited by Dr. Michael Fry, the head of the School of International Relations at the time. What Lamy remembers most fondly about being a Trojan is the classroom environment.
“I have fond memories every time I walk into a classroom. The students are fantastic,” said Lamy. “For the most part you have students who are working hard and are really pleased to be at USC.”
Lamy said one of the main reasons he stayed at USC for so long was how USC was willing to adapt to change.
“Very rarely do they say no. They encourage innovation, change and quality and I’ve appreciated all the support I’ve got at all levels at USC.”
Erin Schechter, a senior majoring in communications with a minor in cinematic arts, said she was drawn to the camaraderie that USC had to offer.
“To find people who are interested in the same things you are and to be able to create something together that makes a difference, that really stands out and it’s really incredible to me and I love every bit of that,” said Schecter.
Haley Abbott recently graduated from USC with her bachelor’s degree in health promotion and disease prevention with a minor in cinema-television for the health profession. She said she is very blessed to have been a USC Trojan.
“I feel incredibly honored to be part of the Trojan family. Coming [here], I felt like it was a huge change of environment,” said Abbott. “There was a culture shock, basically, but I’m so glad I was able to experience that and live in a different place than where I’m from.”
Other alumni, like Julia Heer, who graduated from USC in 2019, acknowledged the impact being a part of the Trojan community had on their lives.
“I’m eternally grateful for the experience that USC gave me," said Heer. "It helped me get my job. It helped so many of my friends get their jobs.”
This anniversary is different from previous years, largely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Because students are unable to socially interact with one another the way they used to, the atmosphere around campus has significantly changed. Abbott believed that being unable to socially interact with your peers takes away one of the important aspects of attending college.
“I feel like half of the experience of college is for the experience of meeting new people and being able to experience new things,” said Abbott. “You don’t get that experience really after this in your life.”
Heer also added that this experience for current students takes a toll on them. “There is no game day, there’s no school spirit. There’s no reason to meet up with anybody. I can’t even imagine what’s going on.”
Even though new students are not experiencing the full breadth of what USC has to offer, Schechter said they are a part of the "Trojan Family” network.
“People see that you’re a Trojan and they’re a Trojan, so that’s an automatic connection,” said Schechter. “It’s really heartwarming to know that there is that community that you can always rely on to have your back.”
As USC celebrated its 140th anniversary, Lamy said anyone who has ever been affiliated with the “Trojan Family” is a part of the many memories and history the institution holds.
“I think the uniqueness of USC is the fact that it recognizes the importance of its place in Los Angeles, California and the U.S.,” said Lamy. “But it also recognizes that the students and the faculty and staff are important members of the community.”