A Trojan Greeting
USC College welcomed roughly 1,800 freshmen and transfer students onto campus last week with an Aug. 21 picnic that included fried chicken, gifts and an inspirational talk by an innovative alumnus.
1. This year’s theme for the USC College Welcome Day Picnic was “California Dreamin’.”
2. Hundreds of incoming freshman and transfer students attended the picnic held at Founders Park.
3. Students check in for the event. Fall semester classes began Aug. 24 for all students at USC, including the College’s about 6,400 undergraduates and 350 graduates.
4. Yu “April” Zeng, an economics major and Wang Chiang Ko, who is studying biochemistry in USC College, give the Trojan victory sign in front of sand and balloons at the welcome picnic. Neither Zeng, of China, nor Ko who is Taiwanese-Chilean, had yet to visit a California beach. “Hopefully, I will soon,” Ko said.
5. Courtney Jordan, president of the USC Young Alumni Club, greeted students at the picnic. Jordan graduated from USC College in 2006 with a double major in international relations and environmental studies. While a student, Jordan studied abroad in Scotland and worked in on-campus jobs. “I really encourage all of you to explore all the things that you can do while you’re a student here,” she said.
6. Daniel Seddiqui, who graduated from USC College in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, was the celebrity speaker. During the down economy when work can be difficult to find, Seddiqui put the Trojan slogan “Fight On” to the test when he embarked on a project that has him working 50 jobs in 50 states in 50 weeks. During a recent stint in New Hampshire, Seddiqui met President Barack Obama. “Never give up on your dreams,” he told students.
7. USC College ambassadors Andrew Matson and Katie Barbaro shared information about the College’s ambassadors program and read the names of students who won two new bicycles in a drawing.
8. Nicholas Moreno (left) and Rutilio Castor, Jr. ride away with bicycles they won in a drawing. Other gifts were given to students such as T-shirts, Frisbees, beachballs and other items with the USC College logo.
9. USC College Dean Howard Gillman (right) chats with Daniel Seddiqui during the welcome picnic, then goes from table to table introducing himself to students.
10. Daniel Seddiqui’s parents and brother of the Bay Area attend the picnic. From left to right: Darius (brother), Kathy, Fred and Daniel Seddiqui. “Initially, I was aghast at Daniel’s plan,” said Fred Seddiqui, who was born and raised in Afghanistan. “Now, I’ve seen that he and his project have been an inspiration to people all over the world.”
11. USC College, the largest and most diverse of all schools at USC, offers nearly 140 different majors and minors in more than 30 departments.