Greetings USC Lambda Trojans!

The past six months have been incredibly busy and extremely rewarding for USC Lambda. We have focused our efforts on a wide variety of programs including support of on-campus celebrations of National Coming-Out Week, participation in the Los Angeles AIDS Walk, a formal partnership with our new community partner LA Frontrunners, and, of course, hosting our largest, most visible Homecoming tailgate to date. If there is one conclusion to be drawn here, it is that the LGBT Trojan Family not only exists, but it’s here to stay!

As an organization, USC Lambda is making great strides – providing alumni with more services and opportunities for involvement and students with more support than ever – but some big hurdles still lie ahead. We remain a fully volunteer-run, volunteer-driven organization that survives solely on the operational donations received from our members and constituents.

As we strive to improve and expand USC Lambda to become more inclusive, dynamic and relevant to LGBT alums both here in Los Angeles and around the world, we need your support. USC Lambda has no staff, no office, no overhead, so you can be sure that your money will go directly into opportunities, programs and events that will benefit you and the entire LGBT Trojan Family.

Please consider making a fully tax-deductible contribution to USC Lambda today. There are two easy ways to give:

Online through our secure site.

By telephone to USC Lambda’s campus liaison, John Paul Karliak, at (213) 740-1606

Thank you in advance for supporting USC Lambda!

The USC Lambda Operating Board

Homecoming 2007

USC Lambda’s 2007 “Homecoming-Out Tailgate” was a historic milestone. For the first time in our 15-year history, the event was attended by USC President Steven B. Sample and the members of his party including Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations Scott Mory and University Trustee and Board of Governors President Michele Dedeaux Engemann. It was also the first time that the annual event was assigned a prominent campus location in Argue Plaza, located on the west side of the Widney Alumni House. These firsts are significant for USC Lambda because they represent not only the growth and increased visibility of the organization, but in a larger sense, the great strides USC has taken to recognize and support its LGBT and allied students, faculty, staff and alumni. The event was attended by approximately 150 USC community members and featured catering by Ranch Hands BBQ, an open bar generously donated by Mike Hughes of West Coast Beverage, and raffle prizes including a football signed by everyone’s favorite ally Pete Carroll. The event was filmed by USC Lambda Advisory Board member Tom Holman and photographed by alum Nick Lovell. You can see photos here.

Volunteer Recognition Award

At the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner held in Town and Gown this past September, the USC Alumni Association honored two USC Lambda members for their volunteer service to the university and the Trojan Family at large. Recent past president Stephen Gratwick was awarded the Widney Alumni House Award and Amy Ross -- past president, scholarship namesake, advisory board member and co-founder of USC Lambda -- was awarded the prestigious President’s Award for her many years of selfless service to the USC community.

National Coming-Out Week

This year, NCOW at USC lasted the entire month of October, and USC Lambda was involved throughout! Starting at Tommy Trojan on Oct. 3, a candlelight vigil was held to honor all U.S. military personnel. Several alumni, faculty and staff spoke at the evening event that focused on the service of lesbian, gay and bisexual service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. An article detailing the event appeared the next day in the Daily Trojan. And at the end of the month, two active USC Lambda alums, Steve Gratwick and Corey Ziemniak, screened their documentary short, Patriots, a film that puts the spotlight on the U.S. military’s discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Our screening drew about 50 alumni, faculty and students and was covered in the USC Chronicle.

LA Frontrunners

Two of USC Lambda’s most dedicated members are Albert Brecht and Amy Ross. Both are also members of LA Frontrunners, an LGBT running and social club that meets weekly for fun runs and walks at different locations around the L.A. area. Thanks to their innovative and collaborative efforts, Frontrunners hosted a fundraiser/BBQ in August for USC Lambda’s new Don Thompson Cinematic Arts scholarship, generating valuable financial support for this memorial fund. Check out www.lafrontrunners.com for current info about weekly activities and be sure to thank them for their support!

Run for Fun and for USC Lambda Scholarships

Join your USC Lambda alumni friends, students and LA Frontrunners for the inaugural USC Lambda/Frontrunners “Dash for Scholarship Cash” 5K Fun Run. Run, walk or just cheer others on – your participation will help raise funds to support LGBT and allied students at USC.

Save the Date:

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. on the University Park Campus Refreshments will be provided, prizes awarded and fun will be had by all. We already have a $1,000 matching pledge!

Want to help plan the event? Contact “still kicking and still running” committee co-chairs Amy Ross and Albert Brecht.

Check back at alumni.usc.edu/lambda for more info early in the new year.

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