Before entering USC College, these freshmen saw what they needed to do and took action. Their motivations differ. For Maurice Turner, his Aunt Laura’s Alzheimer’s set him in motion. Alice Hall-Partyka became fed up with garbage strewn in waterways.

Some prompts came from cataclysmic events. Steve Zhou, for example, was moved by a rash of student suicides at his high school. Others, seemingly commonplace: Sheena Khanna was inspired by everyday storage containers.

Whatever the catalyst, these six freshmen have the initiative to seek changes and the perspicacity to see them through. The newest additions to the Trojan Family exemplify what makes USC College so extraordinary. In the fall of 2010, the College welcomed 1,900 new freshmen and transfers. Of nearly 18,800 freshmen applicants to the College, only 22 percent were admitted.

Read the profiles of these six freshman:

Social Justice with a Kick Jennifer Padilla Major: African American Studies

Keeping Memories Alive Maurice Turner Major: Biochemistry Minor: Neuroscience

Ambitious, Just Add Water Alice Hall-Partyka Major: Environmental Studies

Building Dreams Patrick "P.J." Atchison Major: Economics

Scalpel...Forceps...Recycling Sheena Khanna Major: Neuroscience, Baccalaureate/MD

Triumph Over Tragedy Steve Zhou Major: Biochemistry

Read more articles from USC College Magazine's Fall 2010/Winter 2011 issue