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Jimmy Iovine, Erica Muhl, Dr. Dre, C. L. Max Nikias
With a launch celebration that connected the high-tech hub of Silicon Beach in Santa Monica, CA to the pre-commencement USC campus via livestream, the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation officially kicked off a new program for the digital generation.
President C. L. Max Nikias noted that the $70 million gift from the two media industry moguls to establish the USC Iovine Young Academy was one of the largest gifts from the entertainment industry to an institution of higher education.
Jimmy Iovine, a legendary music producer and entrepreneur, noted that his motivation for approaching USC with the idea for this unique educational program was his observation that “students today live in a different world where the lines between art and technology are starting to get blurred in a great way…This place is a dream factory—you don’t have to get stuck in calculus to succeed.”
The high point of the event was Dr. Dre’s infectious enthusiasm for USC, as he gave a shout out to the massive crowds gathered in front Tommy Trojan. Hundreds of students came out of their study and packing modes, excited about the potential for new classes emphasizing creativity, and all cheered at Dre’s declaration, “I’m an official Trojan now.”
As the event came to a close, confetti and streamers shot over the crowds as the Trojan Marching Band played “California Love” under the cloudless blue Southern California sky.
Jimmy Iovine is slated to address Trojans as the 2013 Commencement speaker on May 17.
Read the announcement news story at USC News.
Topics: News
President Nikias recently recently met with the members of the Trojan Knights. The Trojan Knights are a spirit and service oriented organization and constitute one of the oldest traditions on campus.
Topics: News
From left: USC Trustee Frank Fertitta III, USC Marshall Dean James G. Ellis, USC President C. L. Max Nikias, USC Trustee Thomas Barrack Jr.
The USC Marshall School of Business kicked off the USC Marshall Initiative, a $400 million fundraising drive, with a gala on May 8 that drew some 300 donors, friends, faculty, administrators and students to Warner Bros. Studio, where they were welcomed by Kevin Tsujihara ’86, CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment and host of the event.
At the event, USC President C. L. Max Nikias spoke of USC Marshall’s legacy and its longtime ties to the city of Los Angeles and the global business community.
“For more than 90 years, the Marshall School has been a dynamic cornerstone of USC. The roots of its entrepreneurial DNA can be traced back to USC’s chief founder, Robert Maclay Widney, who is also considered the chief architect of modern Los Angeles,” Nikias said. “Today that entrepreneurial spirit is carried on by the school’s students, faculty and alumni, who take what is taught in the classrooms at USC into boardrooms and businesses around the world.”
The school seeks to raise $400 million to fuel globally relevant programming and opportunities. The funds will support endowments for academic programming, student scholarships and faculty research and teaching in addition to supporting capital projects and other critical priorities. The initiative is part of The Campaign for the University of Southern California, a multiyear effort to secure $6 billion or more in private philanthropy to advance USC’s academic priorities and expand its positive impact on the community and world.
A keynote speech was delivered by USC Trustee Thomas Barrack Jr. ’69, CEO of Los Angeles – based Colony Capital LLC. USC Trustee Frank Fertitta III ’84, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas-based Fertitta Entertainment and Station Casinos also gave remarks.
Read the complete article at USC News.
