This page contains information for student and student organization awards and recognition programs within the Division of Student Affairs. Please check this site frequently for updates and timelines.

The Order of the Torch

One of the highest honors the university can bestow upon its students, the Order of the Torch is composed of 12 individuals who exemplify Trojan excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, commitment to USC, public speaking skills, and an ability to communicate the USC experience to others. Members serve as ambassadors for the university, promoting USC and the Trojan family to current students, prospective Trojans, alumni, the academic community, and the public. The Order of the Torch was first announced in 1987 but has its roots in Homecoming traditions dating back to the 1940s.

Arising out of the more traditional roles of Homecoming King and Queen, today’s Mr. and Ms. USC serve as spokespeople for not only the Order itself but the larger university student body. The selection process is competitive and demanding, with candidates first submitting applications including essays to be considered for interviews. After the interview stage, applicants have the chance of progressing to the public speech that is the final round for consideration into the Order of the Torch. Mr. and Ms. USC are then selected from within the Order.

To learn more, visit http://www.usc.edu/dept/order_torch/.

Mission
The Order of the Torch exists to facilitate the communication between students who share the core Trojan values. Together these students will emanate the ideals of a Trojan to all students and the USC community through positive programming and activities.

Expectations
The Order is expected to complete several tasks once selected.

• Participate in the Homecoming Parade
• Participate in CONQUEST!
• Complete one community service project
• Serve as facilitators for the Emerging Leader Program (Retreat taking place January 20-22, 2012)
• Attend one athletic event
• Serve as USC ambassadors when requested for special occasions
• Coordinate a senior class project
• Attend scheduled meeting and events

The members not fulfilling their responsibilities will be removed from the Order.

Important dates (2011-2012):

September 6	Order of the Torch Applications Available
September 29	Order of the Torch Applications Due to TCC 330
November 2	Finalists’ Speeches @ 5:00pm in the Rosen Theater
November 9	Homecoming Parade
November 10	Homecoming Rally
November 21	CONQUEST!
January 6-8	Spring Welcome Events
January 8	ELP Training
January 20-22	ELP Retreat
January 30	First Year Experience Award Applications Available
February 24	First Year Experience Award Applications Due
April 4	The Tommy's: Student Organization Awards

 

10th Annual Remarkable Women Awards

The Office of Campus Activities and the Women’s Student Assembly are very proud to announce the Tenth Annual Remarkable Women Awards.  These awards celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of women faculty, staff, and students, both undergraduate and graduate at USC.

Twelve women will be recognized and honored for a variety of accomplishments.  The selection committee will look at the achievements in the individual nominee’s field, significant contributions to USC, commitment to students and women’s issues, community involvement and professional and/or other types of recognition.

We welcome both self-nominations and nominations from faculty, staff and students. Please complete a nomination form and return it to: Heather Larabee, Ronald Tutor Campus Center 330, MC 3103 by Friday, January 27 at 5:00 pm.  2012 Nomination forms/applications will be available online beginning Monday, January 9th on the Application Clearinghouse.

All the nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee.  Each woman nominated and her nominator are invited to attend an awards reception on Wednesday, March 7th at 5:00 pm (Location:TBD).

Please take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding woman at USC and let her know that her accomplishments and contributions are making a difference.

Past Remarkable Award Winners

Faculty	Staff
Margarita Artavia, 2007 Diana Blaine, 2005 Roberta Diaz Brinton, 2003 Lynn Swartz Dodd, 2010 Yolanda Gil, 2008 Carrie Hempel, 2004 Jane Naomi Iwamura, 2006 K. C. Cole, 2011 Lucy Lee, 2006 Sharoni D. Little, 2008 Maja Mataric, 2010 Doe Mayer, 2004 Urbashi Mitra, 2009 Jean Morrison, 2008 Hanna Reisler, 2007 Alison Renteln, 2005 Eliz Sanasarian, 2011 Pamela Schaff, 2010 Hilary Schor, 2003 Melora Sundt, 2005 J. Ann Tickner, 2009 Allison Trope, 2007 Lorriane Turcotte, 2004 Kristan M. Venegas, 2011 Janelle Wong, 2006 Lora Zane, 2003	Tammie Akiyoshi, 2008 Kate Baxter, 2008 Michelle Blanchette, 2003 Mona Cravens, 2004 Elizabeth Davenport, 2004 Delores Davis, 2004 Michele Dea, 2010 Amanda Ebner, 2007 Tina Davis-Fernandes, 2011 Melissa Gaeke, 2006 Nicole Hawkes, 2009 Carolyn Heine, 2003 Christina Koneazny, 2010 Heather Larabee, 2009 Lisa Moeller, 2009 Kristy Morrell, 2007 Lori Nelson, 2006 Sumi L. Pendakur, 2011 Karen Rowan-Badger, 2005 Sarah Sabatinos, 2009 Joan Schaefer, 2005 Latanya Seale, 2003 Jennifer Siu, 2010 Estela Torres, 2007 Raquel Torres-Retana, 2011 Jeanne Weiss, 2005 Cynthia White, 2008 Sandy Winslow, 2006
Graduate	Undergraduate
Mary Wai-Yin Au, 2006 Sahar Bedrood, 2008 Marissa Borjon, 2010 Lauren Carter, 2008 Kim Clayton, 2009 Maud Comboul, 2010 Drea Elzy, 2011 Natalie Gallant, 2005 Julie Jung Kang, 2006 Kidogo Kennedy, 2008 Yevgenia Kopeleva, 2011 Lesley Leighton, 2009 Sheryl Mauricio, 2006 Kelly Mettler, 2011 Ngoc Nguyen, 2005 Kristen Ochoa, 2003 Meghna Patel, 2007 Kameelah Phillips, 2004 Nazia Rashid, 2007 Michelle Salazar-Cornman, 2003 Smita Satiani, 2009 Bridgette Tippin, 2003 Robin Toblin, 2005 Caroline Leilani Valdes, 2004 Wendy Vu, 2010 Alexandra Webber, 2004 Akiko Yamaguchi, 2007	Emily Allen, 2011 Janet Beyan, 2008 Jennifer Boicic, 2006 Lauren Dawson, 2011 Catherine Fineran, 2006 Genenieve Flores, 2010 Lauren Ford, 2009 Allison Henkel, 2004 Lauren Hostetter, 2009 Mallory Kozar, 2006 Regan Linton, 2003 Jenny Lorch, 2004 Mariah Martin, 2004 Laure Pomatto, 2010 Nina Portugal, 2010 Dara Purivs, 2003 Aita Romain, 2005 Kristen Schultz, 2005 Andrea Schwartz, 2007 Annette Stapanian, 2003 Robyn Strumpf, 2008 Allison Trefz, 2007 Katie Trefz, 2005 Ana Del Rocio Valderrama, 2008 Lisa Werth, 2009 Tiffany Williams, 2011 Jesselyn Yarrish, 2006

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The Tommy’s – Student Involvement & Leadership Awards

At the University of Southern California student organizations significantly contribute to campus life.  With over 750 recognized student organizations, they also play a large role in the development of our students.  In the spirit of Hollywood and the entertainment business, the Office of Campus Activities has created “The Tommy’s” as a means to celebrate the year through the accomplishments of our students.  The Tommy’s are a series of awards designed to honor the achievements of individual students and student organizations.  The awards ceremony for the Tommy’s is Wednesday, April 4 at 6:00 pm in the TCC Ballroom and will include:

Innovation Awards

• Student Innovator of the Year
• Most Innovative Student Organization

- NOTE: These awards are sponsored by the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation

Student Leadership and Organization Awards

• Peer Achievement Awards (individuals- only those students not graduating)
• Student Organization Awards
• Student Organization of the Year Award

- Winners of this award will be memorialized on a perpetual trophy on display in TCC 330.

Volunteer Awards

• Student Organization Volunteerism Awards
• Student Volunteer Recognition Awards

- NOTE:  Volunteer Awards are sponsored by the Volunteer Center.  Applications are available at www.usc.edu/volunteer - deadline February 10

Applications/nomination forms for all the above listed awards can be found on line through the Campus Activities website’s Application Clearinghouse. (make this a working link to the clearinghouse)  The deadline for all these awards is 5:00 pm Friday, February 17th.  Please pay attention to where completed award applications may be submitted as there are different locations. If you have any questions, there is contact information for each award or call either the Volunteer Center at 213.740.9116, the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation at 214.740.5864, or Campus Activities at 213.740.5693.

We are very proud to continue our partnership with the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation.  USC Stevens (http://stevens.usc.edu) is a university-wide resource in the Office of the Provost designed to harness and advance the creative thinking and breakthrough research from USC for maximum societal impact. 

USC Stevens focuses on developing the next generation innovator, preparing USC faculty and students for a lifetime of innovation. USC Stevens supports innovators in all disciplines, from USC’s College and 17 professional schools.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to get your student organization or a fellow student leader recognized for their contributions to the University!