2024 Volunteer Recognition Dinner

2024 Volunteer Recognition Awards

The President’s Awards are presented to individuals in recognition of exemplary leadership, service, achievement and overall contributions to the University of Southern California.

The Volunteer Organization of the Year Award is given to a USC alumni organization in recognition of extraordinary efforts to engage USC alumni lifelong and worldwide and build a culture of philanthropy among the Trojan Family.

The Volunteer Liaison of the Year Award is given to USC faculty or staff members in recognition of their outstanding support of alumni volunteers in their work.

The Widney Alumni House Volunteer Awards recognize USC volunteers for their loyalty, support and dedication to the university, the community and beyond.

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2024 Volunteer Recognition Awards Welcome Scott Rabenold Senior Vice President for University Advancement

Erika Jordan ML ’18 Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations

Daniel Prince ’00, MA ’02 President, USC Alumni Association Board of Governors

Presentation of the Widney Alumni House Volunteer Awards Presentation of the Volunteer Liaison of the Year Award Dinner Presentation of the Volunteer Organization of the Year Award Presentation of the President’s Awards Musical Performance “The Spirit of Troy” Trojan Marching Band

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President’s Award

Saul Alvarado ’00 Saul Alvarado is a dynamic volunteer leader with an unwavering dedication to the Trojan Family.

The immediate past chair of the USC Latino Alumni Association (LAA) Board of Directors, Alvarado has demonstrated his strategic leadership skills by revitalizing the board committees to better align with LAA’s strategic plan. He also established a new fundraising committee to boost LAA’s endowment. In 2024, LAA celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of events, including a record-breaking Scholarship Gala, which raised an unprecedented $1.3 million in one night.

Prior to his appointment as LAA’s board chair in 2022, Alvarado guided the group’s Scholarship Gala Committee through the challenges of the COVID crisis, ensuring continued support for deserving students. He also frequently serves as a mentor, as well as a speaker or panelist at events, to inspire the next generation of alumni leaders.

His commitment to the university is further demonstrated through his service on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors, the 2024 USC Alumni Association Transition Task Force and the 2024 Alumni Leadership Conference Planning Committee. Alvarado also co-chaired the 90th Annual USC Alumni Awards.

Professionally, Alvarado is the vice president of business partnerships at E&I Cooperative Services, where he drives strategic alliances to create financial success in education sectors across the country.

Outside of USC, Alvarado serves on the board of the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles, and previously served on the board of the California Masonic Foundation.

Alvarado is a USC Sol Price School of Public Policy graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public policy and administration.

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President’s Award

Alex Blecksmith MBA ’12 Alex Blecksmith is beginning his fifth year as a member of the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors, where he currently sits on the Executive Committee and co-chairs the Community Committee. Blecksmith finds supporting USC’s veterans and acting as a mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students to be the most rewarding part of his volunteer service.

Blecksmith joined Marshall Partners in 2008 and held numerous leadership posts, ultimately serving as the group’s vice chair until 2020. He was one of only three alumni representatives asked to serve on the Marshall Centennial Committee. Most recently, he chaired the Marshall Volunteer Leadership Council (MVLC) and was an ex-officio member of the Dean’s Board of Councilors. He has supported the Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program as an executive partner and mentor since the program’s 2013 inception.

Beyond USC, Blecksmith is founder and president of the J.P. Blecksmith Leadership Foundation, named after his brother, a Marine killed in Iraq in 2004. Blecksmith is a 14-year member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, where he’s now vice chair of the Music Committee. He also serves on the Advancement Committee at Flintridge Preparatory School.

Professionally, Blecksmith is an associate vice president at Colliers International, a firm he joined in 2005, where he focuses on the sale and leasing of industrial properties throughout the L.A. area.

Blecksmith graduated from Bucknell University and received his MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business. A SoCal native, he lives in Pasadena with his wife, Meredith, and their two children, Henry (7) and Charlotte (4).

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President’s Award

Marilyn Tevriz Kezirian ’60, MS ’62 Marilyn Tevriz Kezirian has a distinguished record of volunteer leadership across USC alumnae groups.

She was president of the Trojan Guild of Los Angeles and the Trojan League of Los Angeles, and held leadership positions in the Trojan Junior Auxiliary, Town & Gown of USC, the Alumnae Coordinating Council and the Association of Trojan Leagues. Kezirian also served on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors.

Kezirian, a SCion, was in Amazons (Helenes) and served as president of her Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.

A USC Marshall School of Business undergraduate, she was selected “Outstanding Marketing Graduate of USC” by the American Marketing Association and inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma. After receiving her master’s from the USC Rossier School of Education, she briefly taught at her alma mater, L.A.’s John Marshall High School.

Outside USC, Kezirian has an exceptional record of community service. She was president of the Harvard School Parents Association and the first president of the Harvard-Westlake School Parents Association. She is a past president of the Los Angeles Panhellenic Alumnae Association and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Committee; a longtime member of the Nine O’Clock Players of the Assistance League of Los Angeles; and a former board member of The Beach Club. She served eight years on the American Medical Association Alliance’s national board, producing an anti-bullying PSA with USC Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsay Benko.

She is a member of Skull and Dagger, USC’s secret honor society.

Kezirian and her late husband, Aram Peter Kezirian, MD, raised five sons: the late A. Peter Jr. JD ’89, Michael (a USC Viterbi School of Engineering adjunct professor), Eric (a former Keck School of Medicine of USC professor), Stephen and Doug. She has six grandchildren.

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President’s Award

Darlene Larson ’92 Darlene Larson is a proud USC Marshall School of Business graduate and dedicated volunteer leader in the San Diego area.

A longtime member of the Trojan League Associates of San Diego County (TLASDC), she has held various board and committee positions in the women’s group, including co-chair of its annual scholarship fundraiser. In recognition of Larson’s outstanding alumni leadership and scholarship support, TLASDC named a scholarship in her honor in 2014.

Over the years, Larson has also been on the board of the USC Alumni Club of the East Bay; organized two USC Alumni Day of SCervice projects; and served on the USC Class of 1992 25th and 30th Reunion Committees. More recently, Larson was a member of the USC Alumni Association Transition Task Force, which helped select the alumni association’s new director.

Currently, Larson serves on both the USC Alumnae Coordinating Council and the USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association (APAA) Board of Directors. As the chair of the APAA Bay Area Committee, she leads a group of passionate volunteers hosting alumni events in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and the East Bay, and hopes to recreate this degree of engagement in San Diego.

As well as volunteering for USC, Larson has given freely of her time and expertise to various community organizations. She has served as president of several school foundations and chaired education fundraisers.

In her professional life, Larson is a principal product manager for Cloud Enterprise Performance Management at Oracle Corporation.

Larson met her husband and fellow USC Marshall alum, Ross Larson ’93, as members of the Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity. They have two children, Evan ’24 and Ashlyn.

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President’s Award

Harjot Takkar ’93 Harjot Takkar is a founding member and longtime president of the USC Alumni Club of Delhi/ North India.

For more than a decade, he has worked to build an active alumni community in the region and boost support for various USC initiatives.

In 2014, Takkar hosted an admitted student reception at his residence. This event, which also drew many local alumni, led to the formation of the USC Alumni Club of Delhi/North India. Since that time, the club’s membership has grown dramatically, thanks in large part to Takkar’s leadership, enthusiasm and networking skills. In addition to inviting parents of USC students to participate in club activities and events, Takkar oversaw the creation of the club’s Young Alumni Committee. He has helped many young alums, as well as current students, take advantage of externship and internship opportunities offered by alumni and parents.

A passionate champion of USC, Takkar has organized and hosted many events for visiting USC leaders and academic deans. Earlier this year, when USC President Carol Folt led a delegation of deans, researchers and senior administrators on a three-city tour of India, Takkar went to incredible lengths to ensure the success of their visit to Delhi.

A magna cum laude graduate of the USC Marshall School of Business, Takkar is the director of Sahib Textiles Pvt Ltd, a women’s wear company having four unique fashion brands and manufacturing setups that handle fabric processing, printing and embroidery. His son, Sahib ’18, is also a Marshall alum.

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2024 Volunteer Recognition Dinner Sponsors

A very special thank you to this year’s sponsors!

GOLD • Northrop Grumman

CARDINAL

• TROJAN

• Alex Blecksmith MBA ’12

• The Larson Family

• The Carol & Jim Sever Family

• USC Black Alumni Association

• Bank of America

• USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

• AMBA

• USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association • USC Marshall School of Business and USC Leventhal School of Accounting

• USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PREMIER PARTNERS • Liberty Mutual • USC Credit Union

• USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism • USC Latino Alumni Association • Keck School of Medicine of USC • USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

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Volunteer Liaison of the Year Award

Altagracia Alvarez Altagracia “Grace” Alvarez is the associate director of alumni relations for the USC Marshall School of Business and the USC Leventhal School of Accounting Alumni Association. She joined the USC Marshall School in the summer of 2013 as a data analyst. Five years later, she was named the assistant director of alumni relations and was promoted to her current position in 2024.

Altagracia’s expertise in event planning and execution has been instrumental in the success of numerous high-profile USC Marshall events, such as the Dean’s Receptions, Graduate Program Reunion Weekend, and the Leadership Summit. Earlier this year, she created email marketing strategies for more than 90 volunteer-led events.

In addition, Altagracia leads student engagement with clubs and organizations; connects students with alumni; and focuses on increasing alumni engagement, both domestically and internationally.

Prior to joining USC, Altagracia worked for Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles, where she oversaw the annual fund and helped create a donor acknowledgment process.

A native Angeleno, Altagracia grew up near USC and is a longtime Trojan football fan.

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Volunteer Organization of the Year Award

USC Dornsife Alumni Advisory Council The USC Dornsife Alumni Advisory Council is comprised of alumni leaders who dedicate their efforts to strengthening the connection between USC’s largest academic division—the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences—and its worldwide alumni network. Council members also serve on the USC Dornsife Board of Councilors and the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors.

Representing a wide range of USC Dornsife disciplines, council members provide nuanced perspectives on alumni engagement strategies; guide the development of programs that resonate with alumni of all ages and backgrounds; and serve as passionate advocates for both the College and the achievements of its faculty and students. Additionally, they drive philanthropic support for USC Dornsife academic programs, research initiatives and scholarships.

Since its founding in 2019, the council has played an integral role in many USC Dornsife programs, including the first-ever Dornsife Mentoring Program, as well as the Dean’s Receptions, held across the country in Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and other cities over the last two years.

Through its service and advocacy, the USC Dornsife Alumni Advisory Council exemplifies the College’s commitment to lifelong learning and service—leveraging the expertise of its distinguished alumni to benefit current and future generations of Trojans.

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Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award Recipients

Patricia Brent-Sanco EdD ’16

Cindy Le ’15

USC Alumni Association Board of Governors USC Rossier Alumni Council

USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors USC Marshall Volunteer Leadership Council USC Marshall Young Alumni Council

USC Rossier Board of Councilors

Elizabeth Donatelli ’04 USC Annenberg Alumni Advisory Board

Jessica Lin ’09, PharmD ’13 USC Alumni Association Board of Governors

Lawrence Goodkind ’84 USC Dornsife Alumni Advisory Council USC Reunions Class of 1984 Committee

USC Mann Alumni Engagement Board

Larry Steven Londre ’71, MBA ’74 Half Century Trojans Board of Directors USC Retired Faculty Association

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Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award Recipients

Linda Mirdamadi MD ’94 Salerni Collegium Alumni Association USC Alumni Association Board of Governors USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI) Board of Councilors

Martin M. Q. Nguyen MRED ’18

Jerry Yang MBA ’09 USC Alumni Club of South China USC Alumni Entrepreneurs Network USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors

Lauren Young ’20 USC Marshall Alumni Association Advisory Board

USC Alumni Real Estate Network USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors

Carol Sever ’84 Alumnae Coordinating Council Trojan League of Orange County USC Alumni Association Board of Governors

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Congratulations to Widney Alumni House Volunteer Awardee Cindy Le ’15 USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors USC Marshall Volunteer Leadership Council USC Marshall Young Alumni Council Northrop Grumman USC Alumni Chapter Advisor

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Congratulations to the Volunteer Recognition Dinner Honorees.

We are grateful to share this special evening with you all. Thank you for your selfless and impactful service to the Trojan Family!

Fight On! Meredith and Alex Blecksmith MBA '12

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Proudly Celebrating Four Generations of Being Trojans The Carol & Jim Sever Family

Carol ’84, Ellery, Rory ’22, Olivia '19 & Jim ’79

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Congratulations to the 2024 Volunteer Recognition Dinner Honorees Lawrence Goodkind ’84 Carol Sever ’84 Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award USC Dornsife Alumni Advisory Council Volunteer Organization of the Year Award

We salute your dedication to the Trojan Family!

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The USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association congratulates our very own President’s Award Honorees

Darlene Larson ’92 Harjot Takkar ’93 Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award Honorees

Cindy Le ’15 Martin M. Q. Nguyen MRED ’18 Jerry Yang MBA ’09 and all of tonight’s Volunteer Recognition Award recipients!

Sky Kogachi ’95 President, APAA Board of Directors

Grace Shiba ’77 Executive Director, APAA

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alumni.usc.edu/apaa

Congratulations to the 2024 USC Volunteer Recognition Award Honorees!

We proudly celebrate our USC Marshall alumni and staff

USC Alumni Association President’s Award

Alex Blecksmith MBA ’12 Marilyn Tevriz Kezirian ’60, MS ’62 Darlene Larson ’92 Harjot Takkar ’93 Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award

Cindy Le ’15 Larry Steven Londre ’71, MBA ’74 Jerry Yang MBA ’09 Lauren Young ’20 Volunteer Liaison of the Year Award

Altagracia Alvarez

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C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

Dr. Linda Mirdamadi ’94 Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor Salerni Collegium Alumni Association President-Elect USC Alumni Association Board of Governors Member

Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award Recipient You are a true example of dedication and service, inspiring others to follow in your footsteps.

Your unwavering commitment and countless volunteer hours have helped build a strong sense of community that will be felt lifelong and worldwide!

From your friends at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and Keck Medicine of USC

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The USC Price School supports the 2024 USC Volunteer Recognition Awards

Congratulations to President’s Award Honoree

Saul Alvarado ’00

Bachelor of Science in Public Policy & Administration

Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award Honoree

Martin M. Q. Nguyen MRED ’18 Dollinger Master of Real Estate Development

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Congratulations, Darlene Fong Larson '92 President's Award Honoree

You symbolize the spirit of loyalty, dedication and love for USC. We are so proud of you!

The Larson Family

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Congratulations to the amazing 2024 Volunteer Recognition Award honorees!

USC Alumni Association President’s Awards Saul Alvarado ’00 Alex Blecksmith MBA ’12 Marilyn Tevriz Kezirian ’60, MS ’62 Darlene Larson ’92 Harjot Takkar ’93 Widney Alumni House Volunteer Awards Patricia Brent-Sanco EdD ’16 Elizabeth Donatelli ’04 Lawrence Goodkind ’84 Cindy Le ’15 Jessica Lin ’09, PharmD ’13 Larry Steven Londre ’71, MBA ’74 Linda Mirdamadi MD ’94 Martin M. Q. Nguyen MRED ’18 Carol Sever ’84 Jerry Yang MBA ’09 Lauren Young ’20 Volunteer Organization of the Year Award USC Dornsife Alumni Advisory Council Volunteer Liaison of the Year Award Altagracia Alvarez Associate Director, Alumni Relations USC Marshall School of Business We are proud of your accomplishments! You exemplify the Trojan Spirit!

Fight On! Kathleen ’83, Bob ’91 & Devon ’22, MA ’22 Campos

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USC Trojan Guild of Los Angeles

Congratulates Tonight’s Honorees Our Dear Advisor, Friend and Cherished Member Marilyn Kezirian Beloved Former ACC Chair Carol Sever and the

USC Dornsife Advisory Council USC TGLA Sends Much Trojan Love Jane Bensussen Karen Chima Nikki Dana Sally Edwards Edie Etmekjian Kate Farlow Carol Fox Jean Getchell Carol Greenhalgh Sandy Johnston

Sue McKeever Diane Morgan Christine M. Ofiesh Dr. Rosalee Pechersky Wilma Pinder Patti Poon Lorna Reed Evelyn Wilson Dr. Sharon D. Wood Carol Wright

Candy Yee

Celebrating 65 Years of TGLA Support!

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Trojan League of Los Angeles Congratulates Marilyn Tevriz Kezirian ’60, MS ’62 President’s Award Recipient

TLLA Past President and Active Member for 41 Years

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Congratulations from your

family

USC Viterbi celebrates 2024 Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award Honoree and Viterbi Alumna

Jessica Lin ’09, PharmD ’13 Thank you for your leadership and dedication to the Trojan Family!

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are very proud to celebrate

The Trojan League Associates of San Diego County is pleased to congratulate

Darlene Larson USC Alumni Association President's Award Honoree We salute your unwavering commitment, dedication and service to the Alumni Association.

Congratulations Darlene!

A Truly Deserving Recipient of the Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award!

Larry – Always Keep Fighting On!

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Congratulations to the

2024 USC Volunteer Recognition Award Honorees Alumni Insurance Benefits Visit www.alumniplans.com/ usc for more information.

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Premiere Partners The USC Alumni Association is proud to acknowledge its Premier Partners

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Save the Date!

2024

2025

USC at Michigan Trojan Huddle Saturday, September 21

USC Women’s Conference Friday, March 7

Trojan Family Weekend Thursday-Sunday, September 26-29

USC Latino Alumni Association Scholarship Gala Saturday, March 8

USC at Minnesota Trojan Huddle Saturday, October 5

USC Alumni Day of Scervice Saturday, March 22

USC Capital Campus Alumni Reception Friday, October 18

USC Black Alumni Association Scholarship Gala Saturday March 29

USC at Maryland Trojan Huddle Saturday, October 19

USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ Alumni Association 32nd Annual Scholarship Benefit Saturday, April 5

Alumni Weekend Thursday-Saturday, November 14-16 Half Century Trojan Hall Of Fame Awards & Welcome Brunch Friday, November 15 Homecoming Saturday, November 16

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USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholarship & Awards Gala Saturday, April 12 91ST Annual USC Alumni Awards Saturday, April 26

Lifelong and Worldwide

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USC Alumni Association Epstein Family Alumni Center 3607 Trousdale Parkway, TCC 305