President's Message

Spring, 2012

The “Holiday Hiatus” is over and the exciting activities of Town and Gown of USC have begun again. Our first general meeting/luncheon on January 10th featured Dana Dornsife as our guest speaker. Her warm, passionate and emotional speech concerning her cancer foundation, the Lazarex Foundation, had the full attention of everyone in the room. This foundation is dedicated to extending the time our loved ones are with us. It provides the means for cancer patients to be able to take advantage of clinical trials and to eliminate the extra financial burden on their families. Be sure to go to the foundation’s web site to read more on this inspirational project.

On February 7th, Town and Gown will welcome Pat Haden, Athletic Director of USC; our Town and Gown donors; and our scholars and their parents. Pat is a firm believer that an athlete must first and foremost be a student. He will emphasize that in his talk to both the scholars and the parents who are present. We commend Pat and the others in his office for their remarkable handling of the athletic program at USC.

Our March 6th luncheon will feature a lady who works with robots! Maja Mataric, Vice Dean for the Viterbi School of Engineering, will be our speaker. She is involved in research using robots during occupational rehabilitation of patients recovering from strokes, accidents, etc. Most recently, she has worked with robots in connection with autistic children and children with speaking and/or reading disabilities.

Mark this next date on your calendars. Tuesday, April the 10th! Benefit!! Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. 10 a.m. Our honorees are Debbie Reynolds and opera star and Trojan, Rod Gilfry. This event promises to be a totally new experience for a Town and Gown benefit and you will surely want to be there. Many surprises are promised!

Happy 2012. May this Leap Year be one to remember for us all!

Judy Pohlmann,
CEO/President, 2010 - 2012