The Half Century Trojans "Going Back to College Day" was virtual this year. Our program began with our Alma Mater performed by our Spirit of Troy. Beautiful!
Our host Patrick Auerbach welcomed all of the Half Century Trojans in attendance. Next, he thanked the USC Health Faculty and Staff who have shown courage, flexibility, and resilience in dealing with all the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bragging, Patrick informed us that in the 2020-2021 University Magazine's ranking of the "Best California Colleges," USC was ranked third, while the school across town was ranked fifth. What great news, Patrick! Then, he told us that 60,000 students applied for admittance to USC for the 2021-2022 academic year. USC accepted 9,535 for admission. That is an "under 16% acceptance rate." Patrick said the USC has 437,000 Alumni around the world. Let's all continue to keep FIGHTING ON!
Patrick introduced our HCT President Janet Tonkovich. Janet said that she is a proud member of the Class of 1964, and it is an honor to serve as President of the Half Century Trojan Board. It's been an honor to celebrate USC and our Trojan Family. Then Janet spoke about learning. "One of the keys is staying curious and wanting to learn new things. I love to learn about our current advances at USC. Now it is my honor to introduce our current President, Dr. Carol Folt."
Dr. Folt welcomed everyone and told us that she loves to come to our annual "Going Back to College Day." Here are a few of our "USC Highlights." "That year 2020 changed so much for all of us. It has been a challenge but also in a lot of ways it opened up a lot of opportunities. It has been inspiring in some ways. Everyone has had to learn a new way of doing things. I just spoke with the Faculty. They told me that they actually learned things that are going to improve their teaching forever." Dr. Folt continued to say, "Internet life has actually allowed us to stay in touch with one another and with the wider USC Community in ways we were not able to do before. Events hit 2,000 to 3,000 online people! We used to be happy when 150 people would attend an on campus presentation. There are lessons to be learned." Then, President Folt talked about our Keck campus. She said, "Our medical workers on the Keck campus have been spending countless hours on the front lines. They are true heroes! Our "Care for Caregiver's Program" gave free housing, meals, and medical health care for USC medical and emergency workers. Fifty thousand nights were provided for these workers. Over one hundred USC students tutored online the children of our medical workers."
Next, Patrick Auerbach started questions for Dr. Folt. Trojan Candy picked one question that Dr. Folt answered. The question was asked by our own HCT History Committee chairman Bob Padgett. Bob has also been the President of the Alumni Association and a USC Trustee. His question was, "What about in person experience at the Coliseum this fall?" Dr. Folt replied, "I think there will be some crowds in the Coliseum. I want to be back with all of you rooting us to victory." Let's hope that Dr. Folt's prediction will come true!
Dr. Cicero is an Associate Professor of Gerontology in the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. She is the Director of USC's Age-Friendly University Initiative. Her class is "Aging Populations and Urban Housing of the Future."
Miller drew a caricature of me a few years ago when we sat at the same banquet table. Thank you again, Miller!
During the lunch break, a slideshow of undergraduate personal pictures from Half Century Trojan Board members was shown several times for the audience to view. Below are the pictures. Trojan Candy sent in the first four pictures shown here.
We are so proud of our Senior Scholars!
What an exciting HCT Going Back to College Day! Trojan Candy can't wait until next year's edition!
Half Century Trojan History Committee Chair Bob Padgett decided to have his committee members research USC Presidents and present their essays at the Board meetings.
Bob Padgett, Class of '67, presented his essay about President Rufus B. von Kleinsmid at our HCT Board meeting on October 16, 2020. Click on the thumbnail of the essay's title to read Bob's von Kleinsmid's essay.
Our second History Committee essay was presented by Bob Lutz, Class of '68, at our HCT Board meeting on November 11, 2020. Dr. Norman Topping was Bob's USC President. Click on the thumbnail of the essay's title to read Bob's Topping essay.
Our third History Committee USC Presidents presentation was provided by Paul Alwine, Class of '62, at our HCT Board meeting on January 13, 2021. President Fred Fagg was Paul's USC President. Click on the thumbnail of the essay's title to read Paul's Fagg essay.
Trojan Candy also serves on the HCT History Committee. I am amazed at all the time and the research that went into these three presentations.
Good job and KEEP FIGHTING ON, Bob Padgett! Bob Lutz! and Paul Alwine!