Trojan Tales

Annenberg Graduate student Mayte Carrillo tells the story of what became a 20-year family tradition -- one that details her mother’s victories as an immigrant, single mother and small business owner.Speaking to her sister, she recalls the first time she constructed a 60-foot balloon arch at USC’s Latinx Graduation ceremony. Little did we know, we were building memories as a family for a lifetime.

If you ask a jazz musician about what jazz is, their answer may be cryptic. If you ask them what they did to earn their diploma in jazz studies, they may be even more so. Peter Njoroge spent some time with Jason Goldman talking about what it means to study jazz at USC.

During the 1940s, George Tirebiter was a shaggy mutt adopted by the student body of USC. He was named “Tirebiter” due to his love of chasing cars and biting their tires. He was beloved by all, taken to football games and prided as the unofficial mascot of the school. Eventually, he grew so popular that the student body decided to vote him in as the school’s first official mascot in 1947. During his time here, he was the subject of many tall tales, such as when students from UCLA kidnapped him, shaved “UCLA” into his fur, and covered him in honey and feathers. But as time droned on, the original Tirebiter was eventually retired to a farm in San Diego. Alas, his time on Earth was brought to an end after being hit by a car while biting at its tires. The subsequent Tirebiters did their best, but none could live up to the fighting Trojan spirit of the original Tirebiter, and the dogs were eventually retired for the more prestigious Traveller the Horse.

The names Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros are more than just a name displayed on the Annenberg Media Center’s Assignment Desk. Jameela Hammond and Jacki Cisneros both worked the Assignment Desk at KNBC. One day, while Jacki was preparing to send her resume out, told Jameela, “I wish I would just win the lotto.” Days later, Jacki and her husband, Gilbert Cisneros won the California Mega Lottery jackpot — $266 million. Jacki loves to play the “What if” game, when she poses a hypothetical question to her husband who never loves to play the game. On their way to Outback Steakhouse, they passed by the local Lottery office and Gilbert decided to play the game. Their “What if” turned into a discussion of how they want to give back to their alma maters and their community. They did exactly that when they won the lottery, establishing The Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros Foundation, dedicated to increasing the education level of Latino students.

Before Thumpasaurus was a cult L.A. indie act, they were five students at USC. Frontman Lucas Tamaren shares the story of how he met Henry Solomon, Paul Cornish, Logan Kane and Henry Was, and how they created their signature art funk sound and avant garde stage show.

An uncovered piece of family lore sends Annenberg Graduate student Ryan Coleman on a wild goose chase through the Doheny Library, across town to Hollywood, all the way to Atlanta, and back. When his Uncle tells him he may have seen a priceless artifact of Hollywood history on a backroom shelf in Doheny in the ‘70s, Ryan sets out to investigate. He talks to librarians, archivists, auctioneers, and fan blog moderators in search of the truth. Little does he know, the truth may be stranger than fiction--and hiding under his nose the entire time.

The USC Shoah Foundation utilizes the power of testimony to dismantle hate. Its namesake “Shoah” translates to “catastrophe” –– symbolizing a movement based on progress and empathy.

In this episode, Jonathan Kubiak digs deeper into the story behind a supposedly Trojan relic hidden in plain sight on the university park campus.

Yasmin Bagherzadeh has the story of one USC professor who was so affected by the unrest, that it changed how he teaches forever.

Sam Clempson dives into USC’s current esports endeavours, from funding to the physical and mental challenges of the sport.

Zac Coughlin talks to Lustyan about her dedication to quality and what it takes to succeed in the competitive dessert industry.

Simone sat down with USC students, alumni, faculty, and employees to uncover the story behind the 24/7 restaurant that has brought so many people together over the years, as well as how COVID-19 is affecting business.

Jessica Gresham explores the implications of the pandemic for not only the professional film industry, but also for the nation’s top film program: USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

In this episode, Gigi Gutierrez talks to a couple of USC club sports athletes about the work, dedication, and passion that goes into being a club sports athlete.

Madeline Horowitz went along on a “drop” to see the impact these students are having on a homeless community struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.