USC Dornsife Magazine

Magazine Archive

Spring/Summer 2011

Cover Story

What's in a Name?
Everything if the Name Is Dornsife
by Susan Andrews

Special Focus: Go Anywhere

The Latin noun alumnus derives from the verb alere “to nourish.” USC Dornsife nourishes critical thinking. Ours is a liberal arts community that nourishes ideals, nourishes a passion to live with integrity and meaning. And our alumni go on to nourish the world.

Below you will find 15 stories that will nourish your sense of wonder — of all that is possible in the realm of letters, arts and sciences.

The Man Behind the Purple & Gold
Jerry Buss '57, a 2010 inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame, pays it forward by supporting his alma mater in the name of his mentors.
by Susan Andrews

Firm Ambition
Lindsay Harrison '00 was a rookie when she made her appellate debut at the highest court. She also changed the rules and saved a man’s life.
by Pamela J. Johnson

America's Money Advocate
Personal finance expert and best-selling author David Bach '90 is on a mission to empower millions of Americans to live and finish rich.
by Emily Cavalcanti

The Language of Medicine
Heather Rosen '97 forged a nontraditional path into the medical profession and came out a better doctor.
by Laurie Moore

Keeper of the Wild
Steward of an island wilderness, Ann Muscat '83 strives to find a balance between people and nature.
by Laurie Moore

Champion for Education
The daughter of self-educated immigrants, Celia C. Ayala ensures that Los Angeles County’s children receive a quality preschool education even if their parents can’t afford tuition costs.
by Ambrosia Viramontes-Brody

Global Alliances
Joe Cerrell '01 rallies government and industry leaders to increase funding for international development.
by Laurie Moore

A Passion for Fashion
Mandana Dayani '03, on the runway track to success, projects glamour in front of and behind the camera.
by Susan Andrews

Pillar of Empowerment
Mark Ridley-Thomas '89 is a foremost advocate of neighborhood participation in government decision-making. Lucky for us his neighborhood includes USC.
by Pamela J. Johnson

The Morale Booster
Sonia Narang '99 builds trust with employees. A furry critter gave her a lesson on that.
by Pamela J. Johnson

Silver Screen Storyteller
Matthew Michael Carnahan '95 scripts tales of politics, drama and international intrigue.
by Michelle Salzman

Beam of Hope
Wayne Wu '92 invests in the mechanics of medicine.
by Michelle Salzman

An (Air) Force of Nature
Born on a U.S. Air Force base, 59 years later Michael Donley, '77 and '78, is the Air Force's top civilian leader.
by Pamela J. Johnson

In Love, Will Travel
As a couple, Alex Peterson and Jennifer McCard are making careers out of service to the U.S. and the environment, around the world.
by Michelle Salzman

Winds of Fortune
Through their two companies, Alisa Rogers '79 and her husband Philip have forever changed the wind energy industry.
by Pamela J. Johnson