PLAZA SWEET
Where Trojans Gather A ‘thank you’ written across the sky highlights the opening of the Ronald Tutor Campus Center in August.
CAMPUS CENTER PHOTO © ART GRAY / TAPESTRY PHOTO BY PHILIP CHANNING
AT THE GRAND OPENING
of the new Ronald Tutor Campus Center Aug. 26, students, alumni, trustees, faculty, staff and donors gathered in the center’s International Plaza to celebrate the historic moment and reflect on its significance. “Here conversations are encouraged,” USC President C. L. Max Nikias told the crowd. “Here learning takes place between faculty and students, and between Trojans at all stages of their lives. Future generations of Trojans will say, many of them, ‘I met my wife for the first time at the piazza of the Tutor Campus Center.’ This building reflects our Trojan values. It gives voice to our greatest aspirations.” As Nikias proudly described the 193,000-square-foot, $136-million building that has become USC’s new gathering place, he focused on the “Trojan touches” – from the Renaissance-style architecture to the cardinal and gold furniture. “Push the elevator buttons to change floors, and you will notice that the buttons have the SC logo,” Nikias said. Joining Nikias on the podium were vice president for student affairs Michael L. Jackson and trustee, alumnus and lead donor Ronald N. Tutor ’63. “For a young man who was from the San Fernando Valley, went into the Marines and came to USC, it’s an unimaginable experience to be feeling what I’m feeling,”
said Tutor, who was 11 years old when he first started rooting for the Trojans during a USC-UCLA football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. “I can’t tell you emotionally how strongly I feel about being a part of this university,” he concluded, “and doing whatever I can to make it a better place.” Student leaders surprised Tutor by
[IN STITCHES]
offering him a symbolic key and by hiring a skywriter to spell out “Thank you, Ronald Tutor” high above the plaza. The USC Trojan Marching Band premiered its newest fanfare, “Trojan Reign,” before Jackson brought the ceremony to a close. Said Jackson: “These are moments that should be cherished and remembered for many years to come.” Earlier that day, Nikias and first lady Niki Nikias joined more than 150 alumni and university leaders to celebrate the opening of the Epstein Family Alumni Center, the USC Alumni Association’s new headquarters on the third floor of the Ronald Tutor Campus Center. (For full coverage of the Epstein center opening, see page 48.) The Ronald Tutor Campus Center is the first USC building to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, which means it is healthier inside and out for the environment. The five-story building was designed by AC Martin Partners, which has been responsible for several other buildings on the University Park campus. Stan Westfall ’69, MA ’71 was the project manager for USC Capital Construction Development. Eating options in the center include newcomers Moreton Fig (a fine-dining restaurant named after the historic fig trees saved during construction), Lemonade (a sophisticated cafeteria serving small plates), California Pizza Kitchen, Panda Express and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, as well as Carl’s Jr., Wahoo’s Fish Taco and Traditions that are familiar to USC students, faculty and staff. ●
Figuratively Speaking
“The Trojan Family Tapestry,” by renowned artist John Nava, hangs just inside Steven and Kathryn Sample Hall in the new Ronald Tutor Campus Center. The piece is one of more than 100 works of art and Trojan memorabilia that were celebrated during the building’s Art Grand Opening Sept. 30. The massive tapestry, which hangs 22 feet tall by 22 feet wide and was woven near Bruges, Belgium, is the signature commission of the center’s Art & Trojan Traditions program and permanent art collection. The figures depict USC students and staff members, as well as USC President Emeritus Steven B. Sample and campus center donor Ronald Tutor ’63. An unusual feature of the cotton, wool and silk piece is the background, a “field of knowledge” made up of historic documents that are part of the holdings of USC Libraries. ●
For a full description of how the tapestry was created and installed, visit http://tinyurl.com/2fluwfq
U S C T R O J A N F A M I L Y M A G A Z I N E winter 2010
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