STEVEN B. SAMPLE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT Steven B. Sample became the 10th president of one of the most academically talented freshman classes the University of Southern California in March 1991. He in the nation. is the university’s fi rst holder of the Robert C. Packard Sample is the author of numerous journal articles President’s Chair. and published papers in science and engineering and Sample is an electrical engineer, a musician, an higher education. His patents in the fi eld of digital ap- outdoorsman, an author, and an inventor. In February pliance controls have been licensed to practically every 1998 he was elected to the National Academy of Engi- major manufacturer of appliance controls and microwave neering for his contributions to consumer electronics and ovens in the world. Over 300 million home appliances leadership in interdisciplinary research and education. In have been built using his inventions. 2003 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts Sample has chaired a number of statewide and na- and Sciences in recognition of his accomplishments as tional groups examining the state of elementary, second- a university president. ary, and higher education. In 1994 he convened a group He remains an active member of USC’s faculty, of Los Angeles leaders which was awarded a historic $53 co-teaching with management expert Warren Bennis a million challenge grant from the Annenberg Foundation popular spring-semester course for juniors and seniors to accelerate reforms in local public schools. He currently entitled “The Art and Adventure of Leadership.” His book, The Contrar- serves on the California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth. ian’s Guide to Leadership, released in October 2001 by Jossey-Bass, Sample co-founded the Association of Pacifi c Rim Universities (APRU), has been a Los Angeles Times best-seller, was chosen by the Toronto a consortium of 36 premier Pacifi c Rim research universities located Globe as one of the 10 best business books of 2001, and has been in 17 countries. He is a past chairman of the Association of American translated into fi ve languages. Universities (AAU), a consortium of the 62 leading North American Under Sample’s leadership, USC has become world-renowned research universities. He chaired a special AAU committee on post- in the fi elds of communication and multimedia technologies, received doctoral education and an AAU task force on increasing protection for national acclaim for its innovative community partnerships, and solidi- human subjects in university-based research. fi ed its status as one of the nation’s leading research universities. Sample came to USC from the State University of New York at USC milestones in the past 14 years include conducting the most Buffalo, where he had served as president since 1982. successful fund-raising campaign in the history of higher education Sample earned B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical en- and receiving fi ve gifts of $100 million or more, a record unmatched gineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is by any other university in the nation; the awarding of the Nobel Prize in married to the former Kathryn Brunkow of Park Ridge, III. The Samples, chemistry to USC faculty member George Olah in 1994; being named who reside in San Marino, Calif., have two daughters and two grand- College of the Year 2000 by Time magazine; and the recruitment of children. President Steven B. Sample on landscape—such as chemistry and classics, or English and engineering, or business and music. We’ve found there is a marvelous release of intellectual What Makes a USC Education Distinctive energy that occurs when two widely separated fi elds of thought come together in one mind. (From A Guide to USC, a publication for prospective students) At USC we want students to probe deeply into what they study, and we want them to stretch themselves. We call it “breadth with depth.” The uni- While the University of Southern California shares the high ideals and high versity recognizes students who do outstanding work in two or more widely quality of many of the world’s great universities, it possesses a special vitality, separated fi elds by naming them Renaissance Scholars. Student who receive a sense of community and a drive for excellence that set it apart. Our cam- this honor then have an opportunity to compete for $10,000 prizes, awarded pus is suffused with optimism and a can-do spirit that motivates students to at graduation. I know of no other university that offers this kind of program to expand their minds and enlarge their vision, and inspires them to transform its undergraduates. their ambitions and aspirations into accomplishments and achievements. At Another hallmark of a USC education is community service. At USC we give USC we want students to invent their future by probing deeply into what they students a wide array of experiences so they can develop fully has human study and by stretching broadly across the intellectual landscape. beings, and community service is an important part of this process. What are some qualities that set USC apart? First, USC has outstanding Another thing that sets USC apart from other universities is our location. I faculty who are engaged in research, scholarship and creative activities that have visited and lived in many places around the world, and, believe me, South- have an impact on people around the world. ern California is extraordinary. It is probably the most interesting, dynamic, Because they are at the forefront of their fi elds, faculty members such as culturally rich, and diverse place on the face of the earth. This region has a those we have at USC are exciting in the classroom, whether they teach fresh- terrifi c intellectual and artistic vibrancy, and its human and creative resources men or doctoral students. They can ignite a fi re in the minds of their students are nearly limitless. Southern California brings together the peoples of the and bring a perspective to their teaching that faculty members in more parochial world in a manner and to an extent unlike that of any other city in history. institutions simply cannot duplicate. All of our senior faculty teach regularly. Finally, what truly makes USC unique is the “Trojan Family.” There is a We’re very proud of the fact that practically all of our courses are taught by closeness among the students, faculty, staff and alumni at USC that is un- members of the professoriate, generally in classes of 30 or fewer students. matched by that of any other university with which I’m familiar. Trojans tend Another characteristic that sets USC apart from other universities is its to stick together and help one another long after they leave the university. It’s outstanding students. USC is one of the most selective academic institutions in a genuinely supportive community, all that the word family implies: a special the country, typically receiving 10 applicants for every opening in our freshman bond that lasts a lifetime and is with you wherever you go; memories and class. The ones we admit are those who excel, who probe, who ask questions traditions that are held dear by Trojans everywhere; a desire to give mutual and have the capacity to think deeply and originally. You may be interested encouragement and inspiration. to know that USC has more National Merit Scholars than Princeton, MIT or There are more than 180,000 members of the Trojan Family throughout UCLA. the world, and I’ve never met one who doesn’t feel a kindred bond to all of his One of the unique strengths of USC is our integration of the liberal arts fellow Trojans. Undoubtedly one of the greatest benefi ts of a USC education with professional studies. Every student early on takes six courses in our is becoming a part of this special family, whose embrace of every Trojan is highly successful core curriculum. We then encourage them to take a major truly lifelong and worldwide. and a minor that are widely separated from each other across the intellectual 2006-2007 • 171 • USC BASKETBALL MIKE GARRETT USC ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Michael L. Garrett, so much a part of USC’s unparal- ment for the Great Western Forum (1988-90), including leled athletic tradition, was named the school’s sixth-ever its highly-successful boxing program. athletic director in January of 1993. Earlier in his career, he worked for the San Diego Garrett, Troy’s 1965 Heisman Trophy-winning tail- district attorney’s offi ce and as a youth counselor, held back who has a background in business, law, government, management positions in the retail, construction and real athletic administration and community affairs, oversees estate industries, did color commentary on USC football the 19 men’s and women’s teams and the $67 million telecasts, and ran for Congress (1982) and San Diego budget that make up the nation’s most tradition-rich City Council (1983). athletic program. Garrett has been involved in community affairs since During his tenure: his days at USC. While in college, he helped found the • USC has won 16 national titles (in men’s tennis Cool-Head Program, an organization that met with youth in 1993, 1994 and 2002, women’s swimming in 1997, groups to try to offset racial tensions in Los Angeles, and baseball in 1998, men’s water polo in 1998, 2003 and volunteered at the MacLaren Children’s Center, a home 2005, women’s water polo in 1999 and 2004, women’s for abused children. track and fi eld in 2001, women’s volleyball in 2002 and He helped establish the East Los Angeles Youth 2004, women’s golf in 2003 and football in 2003 and 2004), plus 36 Activities Foundation in 1989, a community-based group that ran box- conference crowns, and almost annually has fi nished in the Top 10 ing/educational clubs as a gang-intervention program.