Academic Honors Convocation showcases groundbreaking research and accomplishments of USC educators and students

As she commenced the first of two Academic Honors Convocation dinner festivities earlier this month, USC President Carol Folt referenced a saying attributed to Nobel Laureate Albert Szent-Györgyi, the discoverer of Vitamin C: “Research is to observe what everyone has observed — and yet contemplate what nobody has conceptualized.”

Both evening functions, conducted at Town and Gown on USC’s University Park Campus, promoted interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation that embody Szent-Györgyi’s sentiments.

Twenty-nine exceptional USC faculty members were celebrated at a dinner on April 16, and an April 21 ceremony honored the remarkable efforts of 49 students.

“Each of you has achieved astonishing feats that are transforming the world,” Folt remarked at the faculty dinner. “We recognize that work — and the ways you uplift our community and advance humanity.”

Throughout the two evenings, Folt also presented the Presidential Medallion, USC’s foremost distinction, to USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young; Leslie and William McMorrow, benefactors of the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative; and USC Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni. This accolade is awarded to Trojans who have enriched USC in services that foster the university’s excellence.

Faculty awardees included a Nobel laureate, a recent National Book Award winner, a leader in colon cancer research, and a podiatric surgeon dedicated to reducing preventable amputations related to diabetes.

Trojan student awardees encompassed researchers who have created machine learning models for cancer patient outcomes, designed medical prosthetics that adapt as children grow, and devised a noninvasive artificial intelligence technique to detect signs of arterial stiffness.

Describing the awardees as “extraordinary,” Folt attributed to them the ability to have “enhanced excellence and transformed lives in our university community.”

The benefits of mentorship

Professor Smrity Randhawa from the USC Marshall School of Business expressed her pride in being acknowledged for fostering the next generation of financial professionals.

“To be honored for our passion is simply wonderful,” Randhawa shared at her table during the faculty dinner. “It feels incredibly emotional as that is what we cherish doing. It’s our opportunity to guide the next generation and motivate them to realize the best versions of themselves.”

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Gage Crump from the Keck School of Medicine of USC expressed his excitement for receiving the Provost’s Mentoring Award. Crump has been instrumental in establishing educational pipeline programs that bolster the stem cell research community by welcoming students at all levels, from high schoolers to postdoctoral scholars.

“The most fulfilling aspect of my work is witnessing the success of the trainees and their progression in their own careers,” he mentioned in a discussion. “Ultimately, when they thrive, I thrive. That’s what I cherish about it.”

University Professor Emerita Estela Mara Bensimon, a pioneering figure in higher education and the founding director of USC’s Center for Urban Education, was met with an enthusiastic ovation as she approached the stage to accept her Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award.

In a conversation, Bensimon remarked that she feels “incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue my passion. It is a privilege that my efforts are acknowledged in this way. My work has attracted numerous Latino and Black graduate students, all of whom have completed their doctorates and are now furthering the mission.”

Faculty honorees humbled and moved

Enrique Martínez Celaya, Provost Professor of Humanities and Arts at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, expressed that he felt “privileged” and “humbled” to receive the USC Associates Award for Artistic Expression.

“It’s wonderful to be acknowledged by a community I respect,” stated Celaya, whose artwork is featured in over 60 museum collections globally, including the sculpture The Well located outside the USC Fisher Museum of Art. “It connects me even closer to the students.”

Associate Professor Alexandra Billings from the USC School of Dramatic Arts, whose acting journey spans four decades across theater, film, and television, was celebrated for utilizing her artistry and advocacy to impact lives positively.

“The evening provides an occasion for [USC] to acknowledge, ‘You have done remarkable work,’ and to project that into the universe,” Billings, the first transgender artist to portray a transgender character on television, expressed. “It serves as a calling for USC and for anyone curious, interested, and seeking possibilities in their lives.”

Associate Professor Patrick Corbin of the USC Kaufman School of Dance was highlighted for his interdisciplinary courses and for providing students the chance to engage with organizations that support individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, Down syndrome, and autism.

“It inspires me and brings hope that there is backing for interdisciplinary studies and for dance,” Corbin stated during an interview. “Dance has the capacity to transform lives, especially for those in marginalized groups and differently-abled individuals.”

Honoring ‘the fusion generation’

During the event focused on students held on April 21, Folt referred to honorees as “the Fusion Generation” and commended them for their contributions in classrooms, laboratories, studios, study groups, recital halls, and athletic fields.

“For several years, USC has been your laboratory,” Folt noted. “You represent the Fusion Generation as you possess the capability to connect various disciplines and perspectives, merge ideas and cultures, and devise entirely new solutions to some of our most urgent challenges.”

Trojans revel at being honored alongside peers

At the pre-dinner gathering, Boren Scholarship awardee Viet Tran gathered with his family members, including his father, paternal grandparents, and an uncle.

“I’m thrilled that so many of the key figures in my life are here to celebrate my accomplishment with me,” said Tran, who is on the verge of graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering next month. “It feels great to be acknowledged by the university.”

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering student is also an Army ROTC cadet recognized for his contributions in aiding military students and special forces in developing groundbreaking methods in electronic warfare.

“It is a fantastic ceremony taking place,” noted USC Dornsife doctoral candidate in astrophysics Dimple Sarnaaik following Folt’s presentation of the Rockwell Dennis Hunt Scholastic Award, during an interview.

Sarnaaik acquired bachelor’s degrees in physics and computer science from USC Dornsife, co-founded the Women in Physics group, led the Graduate Association of Students in Physics, and mentored local middle school students.

“I truly enjoy hearing about everyone’s endeavors,” remarked Sarnaaik, whose research delves into dark matter. “It’s incredibly motivating and pushes me to aim higher. Many are doing exceptional work and achieving significant medical breakthroughs.”

In her concluding remarks on April 21, Folt addressed the students present and declared that they are “just beginning.”

“We will require all of your curiosity and determination to tackle the upcoming challenges — and to embrace the numerous wonderful opportunities the future presents,” she stated. “I am confident that you will continue exploring, learning, and creating. And we eagerly anticipate what you will achieve next.”

Here is a comprehensive list of honorees from the two events:

Faculty honorees

Distinguished Professors: Awarded selectively to individuals whose achievements have garnered specific acclaim for USC.

• David G. Armstrong
• Helen Berman
• Maggie Nelson

University Professors: Awarded on the basis of multidisciplinary interests and notable accomplishments across various fields.

• Adam Leventhal
• Arthur A. Stone

Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded annually at the Academic Honors Convocation to a select group of retired faculty, recognizing distinguished careers and significant contributions to the university, the profession, and the community.

• Norman Arnheim
• Estela Mara Bensimon
• Leo Braudy
• Robert Rueda

Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Recognition Award: Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest interdisciplinary honor society at USC.

• Rena M. Heinrich
• Heinz-Josef Lenz

Provost’s Mentoring Award: This award honors a faculty member whose commitment to the academic and professional development of other USC faculty, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, or undergraduate students exemplifies outstanding mentoring.

• Gage Crump
• Marion Philadelphia

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USC Associates Awards: The USC Associates Awards represent the premier accolades that the university faculty confers upon its members for notable scholarly and artistic accomplishments as well as for exemplary teaching, both within and outside the classroom.

Innovation in Research and Scholarship

• Azad M. Madni

Outstanding Teaching

• Patrick Corbin
• Smrity Randhawa

Artistic Achievement

• Alexandra Billings
• Enrique Martínez Celaya

Honored Students

Phi Kappa Phi Student Recognition Award: Established in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is USC’s most ancient interdisciplinary honor society. It acknowledges academic excellence and annually awards prizes to both graduate and undergraduate students for inventive and scholarly accomplishments.

• Georgia H. Burki
• Isabella Gonzalez Villarreal
• Raktim Mitra
• Soha Niroumandijahromi

Phi Beta Kappa Undergraduate Awards: Dedicated to liberal education in arts and sciences, Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776, bestows two undergraduate awards to acknowledge creativity, scholarship, and leadership in community relations involving faculty and students.

• Emerson Damiano
• Jonathan Hayden
• Mohammed Zain Shafi Khan
• Kenneth Nguyen

Rockwell Dennis Hunt Award: Presented to a USC alum who is currently pursuing a graduate or professional degree at the university and epitomizes the Trojan Family’s traditions and values.

• Dimple Sarnaaik

University Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award: Bestowed upon three graduate teaching assistants from a range of disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities, who have demonstrated sustained excellence in the classroom and represent the university’s commitment to scholar-teacher education.

• Ayala Haddad
• Shelby Smith
• Yanfei Zhou

PhD Achievement Award: Awarded for the accomplishments of doctoral students.

• Lucinda Adjesiwor
• Daniel Aslan
• Shihui Chen
• Matthew Fontaine
• Rachel L. Klein
• Laurel Kruke

Boren Scholar: Boren Scholarships offer financial support to U.S. undergraduate students studying in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

• Viet N. Tran

Schwarzman Scholar: The Schwarzman Scholars initiative aims to prepare its graduates to foster stronger connections between China and a rapidly evolving world and to confront the most urgent challenges of the 21st century.

• Charlotte Xuwanqi Wang

Barry Goldwater Scholar: Barry Goldwater Scholarships are granted to exceptional undergraduates majoring in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering who aspire to pursue a research-focused career.

• Brandon Ye

USC Steven & Kathryn Sample Renaissance Scholar Prize: The Renaissance Scholar Prize acknowledges and celebrates USC undergraduates who have achieved academic excellence while engaging in at least two distinct areas of study.

• Rianna Herzlinger
• Jiani “Kelly” Liu
• Sophia Mager
• Nina M. Moothedath
• Kenneth Nguyen
• Claire J. Silverstein
• Gwenan L. Walker
• Derek Ye
• Ziteng Zeng
• Ye Zhang

USC Global Scholar Prize: The Global Scholar honor recognizes students who excel academically both domestically and internationally.

• Kyra A. Aligaen
• Defne Aslan
• Erika D. Chagin
• Emerson Damiano
• Katrina Dang
• Denali M.H. Kauffman
• Ethan J. Santana
• Alexandra N. Stanczak
• Nicole K. Tang
• Riva Verma

USC Discovery Scholar Prize: The Discovery Scholar honor celebrates undergraduate students who shine in their studies while demonstrating the capability to produce groundbreaking new scholarship or artistic creations in any major offered at the university.

• Liliana Adkins
• Susanna Andryan
• Harmony S. Cen
• Caleb Dehn
• Isabella Gonzalez Villarreal
• Alexander W. C. Kuncz
• Matthew Sorgie
• Lilly Tung
• Jina Umakanthan
• Brandon Ye

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