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.

FALL 2007

Homecoming 2007!  Dam the Beavers!

Campus Activities invites you and your recognized student organization or campus department* to come join in on the homecoming FUN! We will have several creative competitions during the week of homecoming. The organizations with the best overall scores in each competition will receive trophies at the Homecoming Rally:

• Anything Goes: A wacky competition with only one rule: Anything Goes!
• Monday, October 29; 8:00 pm , McCarthy Quad
• Tommy's Tribute: A cheer and step competition. Winners are featured in the Homecoming Parade!
• Tuesday, October 30; 12:00 pm , Tommy Trojan
• Homecoming Parade: Build a float on a golf cart provided to you and compete in the Homecoming Parade the next day!
• Wednesday, October 31; 12:00 pm ; Tommy Trojan
• Lawn/Lobby Display
  • Thursday, November 1; 10:00 am 
• Homecoming Rally
  • Thursday, November 1; 7:00 pm; Galen Center
• Homecoming Concert

There will be lots of fun, music, food and prizes at each event. Interested in participating? Come to an information session:

• Wednesday, September 12 at 4:00 pm at TSC 201

2007 Homecoming Rules and Information Packet

Entry forms for all competitions are available in TSC 100 and due by Friday, September 21 at 5:00 pm to TSC 100!

Order of the Torch - application

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, strong 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 in 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. 

Being a member of the Order of the Torch is one of the highest accolades a USC student may receive.  It is a life long membership into a premiere group of Trojans. Members are seniors graduating in 2008 who exemplify the Trojan ideals in all their diverse endeavors.  Additionally, members excel in:

• Scholarship
• Leadership
• Service
• Commitment to USC
• Strong public speaking skills
• An ability to communicate the USC experience to others

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 takes place January 18 -20, 2008)
• 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 (all 2007):

• September 4 Applications available at Topping Student Center
• September 24 Applications due to TSC front desk by 5:00 pm
• October 3 First round finalists announced
• October 9 & 10 First round finalists interviews
• October 11 Semi-Finalists announced - required meeting
• October 25 Speeches to determine the Order
• October 31 Homecoming Parade
• November 1 The 2007-2008 Order of the Torch Announced at Homecoming Rally
• November 29 The Order and Mr. & Miss USC announced at CONQUEST!

SPRING 2008 - Information Coming Soon

Community Service Awards

Each year Community Service Awards are given to students and student organizations that have devoted an immeasurable amount of their time to community service projects and programs that help the University community and the surrounding neighborhoods. 

These special awards highlight the importance of community service to USC and reinforce the shared commitment to volunteerism held among members of the Trojan family.

Applications will be accepted from students and student organizations.  More information and applications may be found at www.usc.edu/volunteer/awards  All completed applications are due February 16, 2007.

Community Service Awards Applications and Descriptions

A few of these awards are also recognized as part of "The Tommy's" awards ceremony.

Remarkable Women Awards

The Office of Campus Activities, Women's Student Assembly, Center for Women and Men, and Gender Studies Program are very proud to announce the Fifth 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.

Nomination forms will be available on Tuesday, January 14, 2008 at Topping Student Center or by clicking here.  Completed nomination forms are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 1, 2008.

THE TOMMY'S - Wednesday, April 9, 2008

At the University of Southern California student organizations significantly contribute to campus life.  With over 600 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 and the USC Bookstore have 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 9 at 6:00 pm in Bovard Auditorium and will include:

Peer Achievement Awards (individuals)

The Peer Achievement Awards are University wide awards recognizing the accomplishments of freshmen, sophomores and juniors. These awards are designed to honor and thank individuals who have made significant contributions to leadership development through involvement in co-curricular activities. They will also help the rest of the university become more aware of all the outstanding students and events that take place on campus each year.

Perhaps the most unique quality of these awards is the completely student run awards committee. In essence, students will be rewarding their peers for all their accomplishments. Nominations will be accepted from students, faculty, and staff members, but an awards committee comprised of diverse students will determine the actual award winners.

Award Categories

• Academic Support
• Athletics
• Cultural Programming
• Diversity Programming
• Greeks
• Healthy University Community
• Programming
• Religious Life
• Residential Community
• Service/Volunteerism
• Student Governance
• Student Organizations
• Student Multi-media

Two awards will also be present to a faculty and a staff member that have fostered the development of leadership skills in their students.

• Faculty
• Staff
• Alumni

Award Categories and Descriptions

Application

Student Organization Awards

These awards recognize student organizations and all the incredible work they do to enhance our community.  There are several categories to honor the many types of organizations on campus. 

Award Categories and Descriptions

Application

Student Organization of the Year Award

Do you think your organization is the best on campus?  Find out! 

Application

 - Winners of this award will be memorialized on a perpetual trophy on display in the USC Bookstore

Student Organization Volunteerism Awards

Student Volunteer Recognition Awards

 - NOTE: Volunteer Awards are due by February 16^th

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

Application Deadline for the Peer Achievement Awards, the Student Organization Awards, and the Student Organization of the Year Award is:  Friday, February 16 at 5:00 pm - Topping Student Center

Student Recognition Awards

The Student Recognition Awards honor graduate/professional and undergraduate student leaders who have demonstrated a noteworthy level of commitment to leadership, involvement, service and scholarship at the University of Southern California . These awards endeavor to recognize students who have contributed to the overall quality of student life at the University of Southern California while maintaining a commendable grade point average. Students must be seniors or graduate students, graduating in December 2004, May or August 2005.

Student Recognition Application