About Us

THE USC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The first University of Southern California alumni association was established by George F. Bovard, Class of 1894, who later became USC's fourth president.

Today's alumni association was founded as the General Alumni Association in 1923 under Edward L. Doheny, Jr., its first president. The first Homecoming took place in 1924.

Throughout the 1920s and ‘30s, the GAA was the university's primary fundraiser. In 1927, it created the Bureau of Employment, a job placement office in the Student Union Building for students and alumni. Also in the late 1920s, the GAA embarked on a fundraising campaign to build a new library and physical education building, but the Great Depression cut short these efforts.

Nevertheless, in 1930, the GAA raised the funds to donate the Trojan Shrine (Tommy Trojan) to USC. Also in the '30s, the GAA donated the land around the new Doheny Library (today's Alumni Park) and, in 1932, established the Asa V. Call Achievement Award, precursor to the USC Alumni Awards.

In the late 1990s, the GAA changes its name to the USC Alumni Association. The association has been housed in the Widney Alumni House since 1976. The House, built in 1880, was USC's first building and has been relocated on the campus a number of times.

Today's USC Alumni Association has a full-time staff headed by the Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations. It is advised by the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors.