USC Alumni Awards

The Honorable Mary Bono
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, 1984

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono (CA-45) served eight terms in the U.S. government’s legislative branch from 2008 to 2013. During her tenure in office, she established herself as a leader on a wide range of issues, most notably technology, privacy, job creation, intellectual property and consumer protection. The first Republican woman in American history to hold a gavel on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, Bono also served as chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. Currently, she serves as chairman of the board of directors for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). Bono is a USC Roski School of Art and Design alumna.

Mike Nyeholt
Bachelor of Science in Business and Finance, 1978

Mike Nyeholt is the chairman emeritus of the board of the Swim With Mike Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund and the “Mike” behind the successful Swim With Mike program. Founded in 1981 after Nyeholt, an NCAA All-American swimmer, was left paralyzed by a motorcycle accident, this annual swim-a-thon raises funds “to change the lives of student athletes who have experienced catastrophic injury or illness by providing scholarships, creating community, and instilling hope and purpose.” In 2021, Swim With Mike celebrated its 40th anniversary. To date, the Physically Challenged Athletes Fund has raised more than $25 million and awarded scholarships to 256 student-athletes at 134 universities nationwide. Nyeholt is a USC Marshall School of Business alumnus.

Adam Goldston
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 2009

Ryan Goldston
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 2009

Adam Goldston and Ryan Goldston are the co-founders and co-CEOs of Los Angeles-based APL – Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL), a leader in athletic footwear and apparel. Identical twins, the Goldstons founded APL in 2009 at the age of 22. With the 2010 launch of their Concept 1 basketball shoe, they became the creators of the first shoe proven to make its wearers jump higher, thanks to APL’s revolutionary eight-spring Load ‘N Launch Technology. In 2016, the Goldstons became the first members from an athletic brand to be inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. Adam and Ryan Goldston graduated from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the USC Marshall School of Business, respectively.

Jules Buenabenta
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1987

Jules Buenabenta is a proud USC Marshall School of Business alumnus who serves on the school’s board of councilors, which provides strategic advice and counsel to the USC Marshall School dean. In 2015, he joined the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors and co-chaired the 85th Annual USC Alumni Awards Committee in 2018. Passionate about opening doors for Trojans of all ages and backgrounds, he served as the co-chair of the USC Associates’ Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He also supports the USC Latino Alumni Association and participates in USC Latino growth initiatives aimed to strengthen and expand the bonds between the university and the Latino community.

Ramona Cappello
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1981

Ramona Cappello hails from a long line of dedicated Trojans, including her father, uncle, three brothers and two nieces. From 2009 to 2015, she served on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors, including a term as the board president. In 2014, Cappello was elected to the USC Board of Trustees, where she chaired the Alumni Affairs Committee. A USC Marshall School of Business alumna, Capello served on the board of USC Marshall Partners, which raises funds for scholarships, student programs, research and faculty support. She currently serves on the Board of Counselors at both the USC Dornsife School of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the USC Kaufman School of Dance.

Beth Petak-Aaron
Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Education, 1980

Beth Petak-Aaron is a USC Rossier School of Education alumna who has held leadership positions in several university-affiliated groups over the years. As a member of the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors, she served as the co-chair of the Student Outreach Committee, as well as the co-chair of the 82nd Annual USC Alumni Awards in 2016. In addition, Petak-Aaron co-chaired the 2011 USC Women’s Conference. Currently, she is president-elect of Town & Gown of USC. With her husband, Tony ’80, Petak-Aaron has established two USC endowed scholarship funds, for Town & Gown of USC and the USC Leventhal School of Accounting, respectively.