My husband Jim and I were invited to the USC Associate's preview of the Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall, the new home of the Sol Price Center for Social Innovation. The opening program was downstairs.
At the lower level, Trojan Candy saw two USC Trustees, Verna Dauterive and Carol Fox (9/8/2011). Verna is a retired LAUSD teacher, like yours truly, and Carol is a fellow member of the Trojan Guild of Los Angeles. Verna committed a gift of $30 million to name the first interdisciplinary social sciences building on the USC campus. FIGHT ON, Verna!
The Associates know how to party! Look at all the desserts!
Trojan Candy saw five other TGLA/USC Associate members. Patti Poon, current Town and Gown President Jane Bensussen, Carol Fox, Christine Ofiesh and Marilyn O'Driscoll. FIGHT ON, Patti, Jane, Carol, Christine and Marilyn!
After Adam Bart, Senior Executive Director of the USC Associates, welcomed everyone, two speakers came to the podium. The first speaker was Michael Quick, Executive Vice Provost. Then Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Elizabeth Garrett, (2/21/2014) spoke next. She told the audience how Verna was very much involved in the design of Dauterive Hall. 
Workers came to know who she was, especially when she brought all of them delicious cupcakes! After the program ended, Trojan Candy had the two speakers pose with Verna.
Now, the tour began. We walked into the laboratories on the lower level where human studies, with no cross contamination, will be performed. Then, it was back up the stairs, to the elevator and up to the 5th Level.
On the 3rd Level patio, Trojan Candy took a close-up picture of this Turkish marble tile. These Turkish tiles adorn the exterior of the building.
Next is a picture of an ultra-modern classroom on the 1st level. Notice the large white boards. Similar boards are located throughout the Hall in other classrooms, conference rooms and hallways. Their purpose, that Provost Garrett told the audience earlier, is "to promote collaborative interaction." With this interaction, social science scholars in this Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall will "Use BIG DATA to make the world better!"
As Jim and I were leaving, Trojan Candy saw one more TGLA member on the lower level. Sandy Johnston (7/13/2014) posed with friend Adam Bart (8/19/2012).
Outside the south door we saw the official plaque.
Thank you for the preview and FIGHT ON, TGLA and USC Associates!
Trojan Guild members, who are also Town and Gown members, were invited to the annual tea at the home of President C.L.Max Nikias and his wife Niki.
The President and First Lady greeted every guest at their front door. A large white tent was set up in their beautiful yard. The tea food was delicate and scrumptious.
Trojan Candy chose a table near the tent entrance so that I could see every Trojan Guild member who attended the tea.
Some fellow Trojan Guild members sat at the same table.
The last two TGLA members were both past TGLA presidents. Nancy Hoffman (1985-1986) and Melody Nishida (1992-1993) smiled for yours truly.
As I walked back to my table, Trojan Candy saw him standing alone. When I asked Dr. Nikias to pose for my picture, he insisted that I join him in the picture. It is hard to say no to him, especially when he smiles!