USC Lambda's LGBTQ+ 30th Annual Scholarship Gala Program Book

CELEBRATING THIRTY YEARS OF TROJAN PRIDE

USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Scholarship Gala

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023

Welcome to the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association’s 30th Anniversary Gala!

Tonight, we celebrate a major milestone in the history of USC and our LGBTQ+ Trojan Family. For 30 years, the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association has strengthened and deepened ties between LGBTQ+ and allied Trojans through our events, outreach and programming. In fact, due in great part to USC Lambda’s dedicated efforts and advocacy, USC is now considered one of the nation’s most LGBTQ+-friendly universities.

As part of this celebration, we are honoring the achievements of four LGBTQ+ Trojans who have made, and continue to make, a positive difference in our community. Our honorees include the beloved founder of USC Lambda, as well as a current graduate student who exemplifies the promise of the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Awarding scholarships to deserving students has always been a top priority for USC Lambda. We are so grateful to USC Lambda supporters like you, whose generosity has fueled the growth of our scholarship program. Tonight’s gala proceeds will go towards our scholarship endowment, so that we can provide scholarships to USC students for the next 30 years and beyond.

Thank you for your loyal support, enjoy tonight’s celebration and Fight On!

Brandon Kyle EdD ’19 Executive Director USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

Tiffany D. Brooks MFA ’18 Assistant Director USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

Welcome

Brandon Kyle EdD ’19

Executive Director, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

Bridgette Austin MBV ’19 and Jeffrey Knollmiller ’79

Co-Chairs, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Scholarship Gala

Special Guest

Carol L. Folt

President, University of Southern California

Presentation of Trailblazer Award

Erika Hartman MFTH ’09

President, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Board of Directors

Presentation of Community Ally Award

Tom Henkenius ’00, MS ’19

Past President, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Board of Directors

Presentation of Outstanding Scholar Award

Erick Matos MPH ’20

Member, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Board of Directors

Our Scholarship Mission

Kevin Randolph ’07 Member, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Board of Directors

Presentation of Legacy Award

Hayden Price and Ximena Bobadilla USC Lambda Scholars

Special Guest

Amy Ross PhD ’86

USC Trustee and Founding Member, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

Closing Remarks

Brandon Kyle EdD ’19 Executive Director, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

Entertainment

After Party DJ

Haute Mobile Disco

LEGACY AWARD HONOREE

Donald Gabard MS ’78, MPA ’88, PhD ’90 (he/him/his)

Founder and Former President, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

Donald Gabard is the founder and former president of the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association. A triple USC alumnus and longtime champion of LGBTQ+ causes, he worked with university leaders and founding USC Lambda board members to create what has become the home of our LGBTQ+ Trojan Family. In addition, he served as co-president of USC Lambda during its first two years—a time of exponential growth for the organization, both in terms of membership and programming.

During his tenure as co-president, USC Lambda hosted its first Homecoming reception, as well as its inaugural Scholarship Awards dinner. Gabard’s exemplary leadership and tireless efforts laid a solid foundation for the USC Lambda of today: a dynamic alumni organization that fosters community, awards scholarships to deserving LGBTQ+ and allied USC students, and promotes education and increased visibility for LGBTQ+ Trojans.

A North Carolina native, Gabard graduated from USC with a master’s degree in physical therapy in 1978; he later returned to earn his master’s and doctorate in public policy. His specialty area in physical therapy was pediatrics, and he was among the first in L.A. to treat pediatric AIDS patients. Gabard also treated adults with AIDS who were refused service by other providers.

In 1987, Gabard participated in the founding of Caring For Babies With AIDS, as both a program designer and one of the organization’s first providers, pro bono. Based in Culver City, California, this nonprofit was the first pediatric AIDS hospice in the western United States. He later authored the concept paper for AIDS In-Home Care Training Programs, which was funded and implemented by the City of Los Angeles in 1988. That same year, he won the Samuel C. May National Research Award from the Western Government Research Association for his work in AIDS research. In 1994,

Gabard was both a panelist and featured speaker at the American Association for the Advancement of Science on the intersection of ethics in sexual orientation and human genome investigations. Over a 20-year span, he served as a medical ethicist on three hospital ethics committees simultaneously, often safeguarding the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2011, Gabard founded By Your Side, a volunteer-based program providing end-of-life support for patients at LAC+USC Medical Center. The program, through funding from the Archstone Foundation, was widely disseminated to hospitals.

A 1996 recipient of a USC Alumni Association President’s Award, Gabard continues to play a vital role in USC Lambda, most notably in scholarship fundraising. Now retired from being a tenured professor, he enjoys traveling—passionately chasing Christmas markets in Western Europe, Canada and the U.K.—as well as gardening, specifically cattleya orchids.

TRAILBLAZER AWARD HONOREE

Alexandra Billings (she/her/hers)

Actress, Singer, Author, Activist and Assistant Professor of Acting, USC School of Dramatic Arts

Alexandra Billings is an award-winning actress, singer, author and activist who’s currently an assistant professor of acting at the USC School of Dramatic Arts.

Over the course of her decades-spanning career, Billings has achieved unprecedented success as an openly transgender actress. Her one-woman autobiographical show, Before I Disappear, ran for more than 10 years off-Broadway. In 2005, she became the second transgender actress to play a transgender character on television, when she co-starred in ABC’s Romy and Michelle: A New Beginning. Although Billings is probably best known for playing Davina on the Amazon series Transparent, she has also guest-starred on such series as E.R., Grey’s Anatomy and How to Get Away with Murder, and now has a recurring role on Amazon’s The Peripheral.

A dedicated AIDS and LGBTQ+ activist and advocate, Billings received the 2016 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award, which recognizes LGBTQ+ people who live openly and freely in the public eye. In addition, she has received five After Dark Awards and one Joseph Jefferson Award. Her memoir, This Time for Me, was published in 2022 to critical acclaim.

COMMUNITY ALLY AWARD HONOREE

Danielle E. Harvey ’00, ML ’19 (she/her/hers)

Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations, USC

Danielle E. Harvey is the associate vice president for alumni relations at the University of Southern California. As a senior manager of the USC Alumni Association, she leads a diverse team of professionals responsible for engaging all alumni lifelong and worldwide through a vast array of programs, services and events. Her portfolio includes the award-winning USC Women’s Conference, Reunion Weekend and Alumni Leadership Conference, and she provides leadership to the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association, regional engagement programs, industry and affinity networks, and generational groups.

With more than 18 years of experience in alumni relations and development, Harvey has a proven record of accomplishment in program development, board and volunteer management, organizational leadership, strategic planning, relationship building and fundraising. Her passions include teaching, mentoring and empowering women and children, in addition to writing and other creative outlets.

Harvey earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the USC Rossier School of Education, an executive master’s degree in leadership from the USC Price School of Public Policy, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational change and leadership from USC Rossier.

OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR AWARD HONOREE

Lucille Warren ’22 (she/her/hers) Student, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

Lucille “Lucy” Warren is a St. Louis, Missouri native and USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences alum who’s currently pursuing a graduate degree from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. Deeply involved in student advocacy, she served as both the student body vice president and chief diversity officer for the Undergraduate Student Government. In this capacity, Warren spearheaded a number of projects, from expanding genderneutral bathrooms and disability accommodations on campus to leading Title-IX & Title-IV reporting mechanisms.

On the academic front, Warren is both a Presidential Scholar and a USC Lambda Scholar. She served as a research fellow at USC Dornsife’s Security and Political Economy Lab, where she worked on projects focused on education equity, foreign aid allocation and police brutality. She also helped craft the justice and equity strategic plan for the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Science, and is a former member of the Presidential Working Group on Sustainability’s DEI Committee.

Outside of USC, Warren served as a policy intern at both the U.S. Department of Labor and the City of Glendale, California. Passionate about using technology to advance intersectional equity and improve access to public resources, Warren hopes to work in policy analysis and strategic planning after graduating from USC.

USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION RECOGNITION AWARDS (LAARA)

Legacy Award

The USC Lambda LBTGQ+ Alumni Association Legacy Award is presented to an alum for their contributions to USC and the LGBTQ+ community at large, including professional achievements, advocacy and activism, community organizing and philanthropy.

Trailblazer Award

The USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Trailblazer Award is presented to a member or ally of the LGBTQ+ community who serves as a leader and pioneer; whose personal and professional advocacy and/or activism have successfully furthered the causes of the LGBTQ+ community; and whose innovative ideas and commitment to the LGBTQ+ community at large have paved the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ activists, allies and advocates to both succeed and thrive.

Community Ally Award

The USC Lambda LBTGQ+ Alumni Association Community Ally Award is presented to an organization and/or individual for their longstanding support of the LGBTQ+ community at large, and also recognizes the service and advocacy they have provided, which enables the advancement of USC Lambda.

Outstanding Student Scholar Award

The USC Lambda LBTGQ+ Alumni Association Outstanding Student Scholar Award is presented to a current USC Lambda Scholar who has gone above and beyond to advance USC Lambda’s mission in support of USC LGBTQ+ students, alumni and the LGBTQ+ community at large.

USC LAMBDA SCHOLARSHIPS

Since 1994, USC Lambda has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to more than 150 students who, regardless of their gender or sexual identity, demonstrated academic achievement and a strong commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. These scholars have gone on to executive roles in Fortune 500 companies and LGBTQ+ nonprofits. They have spearheaded research in technology and sociology, produced award-winning films and argued cases before the United States Supreme Court. They are doctors, educators, artists and activists who inspire our LGBTQ+ student body to see their sexual and gender identities as strengths, not obstacles.

Please consider making a gift in support of the next generations of Trojans who are making a positive impact in the LGBTQ+ community. Text

LAMBDA to 71777

fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/LAMBDA

USC LAMBDA SCHOLARS

Ximena Bobadilla

PREFERRED PRONOUNS they/them

HOMETOWN

Los Angeles, CA

USC SCHOOL

Marshall School of Business

Why Lambda?

DEGREE PROGRAM

MBA

MAJOR

Business

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

2023

CAREER GOALS

Entertainment Development Executive

“Before committing to business school, I was a bit scared of being 'out.' As a nonbinary queer person, I wasn't sure I would be embraced for being my authentic self. I am grateful that this has not been the case, and the Lambda Scholarship reinforces the belief that USC wants to see me succeed and believe in myself.”

Noah Hernandez

PREFERRED PRONOUNS he/him

HOMETOWN

Whittier, CA

USC SCHOOLS

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Sol Price

School of Public Policy

DEGREE PROGRAM

BA

Why Lambda?

MAJOR

Environmental Studies

MINOR

Urban Sustainable Planning

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

2024

CAREER GOALS

Urban Planning

“The USC Lambda scholarship represents the opportunity for queer USC students and alumni to come together and celebrate diverse identities. When alumni guide current students, it ensures that the students acknowledge there are working professionals like them who are willing to offer both professional and personal support throughout their academic journey.”

USC LAMBDA SCHOLARS

Dylan Phung

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

he/him/his

HOMETOWN

Henderson, NV

USC SCHOOLS

Marshall School of Business; School of Cinematic Arts

DEGREE PROGRAM BA

Why Lambda?

MAJOR

Business of Cinematic Arts

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

2024

CAREER GOALS

Entertainment Industry Executive

“The Lambda Scholarship is important to me because it empowers me to continue contributing diversity, equity and inclusion to the USC community. Through communities like Queer Students in Cinematic Arts (QSCA), I love creating safe and collaborative spaces.”

Hayden Price

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

she/her

HOMETOWN

Cary, NC

USC SCHOOLS

School of Dramatic Arts; School of Cinematic Arts

DEGREE PROGRAM BA

Why Lambda?

MAJOR Theatre

MINOR

Screenwriting, Entertainment Industry

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

2023

CAREER GOALS

Screenwriter/Actor/Producer

“The Lambda Scholarship is important not only to me but also to the entire queer student body at USC. I am overjoyed to be involved with an organization that provides resources for queer students to prepare for the professional world and facilitates a community where both students and alumni belong.”

Urban Seiberg

PREFERRED PRONOUNS they/them

HOMETOWN

Bethesda, MD

USC SCHOOL

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

DEGREE PROGRAM BA

Why Lambda?

MAJOR Linguistics and Cognitive Science

MINOR Photography; Speech-Language and Hearing Professions

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

2023

CAREER GOALS Audiologist

“Throughout my three years at USC, the LGBTQ+ Trojan community has been a huge part of my life. My best memories at USC have been with members of the queer campus community and I cannot wait to be able to interact more with our amazing LGBTQ+ alumni as well!”

Atharva Tewari

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

he/him

HOMETOWN India

USC SCHOOLS

Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism; Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Why Lambda?

DEGREE PROGRAM BA

MAJOR Global Studies and Journalism

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2023

CAREER GOALS Academic

“Receiving this scholarship is probably one of the first times in my life where I have been at the receiving end of something positive for my identity as a queer person. It means a lot to have this positive reinforcement from LGBTQ+ USC alumni!”

USC LAMBDA SCHOLARS

Victor Valadez

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

he/him/él

HOMETOWN

Santa Barbara, CA

USC SCHOOL

Rossier School of Education

DEGREE PROGRAM

MEd

Why Lambda?

MAJOR

Educational Counseling

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

2023

CAREER GOALS

Dean of student services in a community college setting

“Lambda aligns among representation—I am invited in a space and community to express my authenticity. This opportunity will allow me to connect and learn from folks. I cherish this community as it demonstrates inclusion and acceptance. I take responsibility to pay it forward and contribute to Lambda's mission.”

Matthew Vang

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

he/they

HOMETOWN

Los Angeles, CA

USC SCHOOL

Sol Price School of Public Policy

DEGREE PROGRAM

MPP

Why Lambda?

MAJOR

Public Policy

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR

2023

CAREER GOALS

Social Justice Reform

“As a queer Hmong American from the Central Valley, being a recipient of the Lambda Scholarship is vital to the communities I come from and to the earnest work I have ahead of me. I believe in paving a way for people to be their authentic selves, and this scholarship will help me do so.”

Trinity Yang

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

she/her

HOMETOWN

Seattle, WA

USC SCHOOL

Keck School of Medicine

DEGREE PROGRAM BS

MAJOR Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

MINOR Gender and Sexuality Studies; Natural Science

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2023

CAREER GOALS

Pediatrician

Why Lambda?

“Thank you to the Lambda community for affirming my identity and commitment in and beyond USC. Support for my identity and passions has not come easy, so I am deeply appreciative of how this scholarship grants me the opportunity to pursue advocacy/scholarship and empower LGBTQ+ communities.”

Ryan Ziltzer

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

he/him/his

HOMETOWN

Scottsdale, AZ

USC SCHOOL

Keck School of Medicine

DEGREE PROGRAM

MD/MPH

Why Lambda?

MAJOR Medicine

ANTICIPATED GRAD YEAR 2023

CAREER GOALS

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

“The Lambda Scholarship is supporting my medical education as well as my clinical research in gender-affirming care of the face, neck and voice.”

USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD

OF DIRECTORS

Officers

Erika Hartman MFTH ’09 President

Kyle Lynn ’08, MS ’14 Secretary

Tom Henkenius ’00, MS ’19 Past President

Brandon Kyle EdD ’19 Executive Director

Board Members

Bridgette Austin MBV ’19

Peter Barth ’07

Steven Dunbar ’03

Mario Enriquez MPA ’16

Connor Fetting-Smith MFA ’12

Liam Gillen MEd ’05

Justin Gilanyi MS ’20

John Hanna MBA ’00

Jeff Knollmiller ’79

John Lee EdD ’12

James Martinez MCG ’18

Erick Matos MPH ’20

Sharon Pavlovich EdD ’20

Rico Petrino MPA ’20

Kevin Randolph ’07

Maya Richard-Craven ’17

Deidre Strohm MPW ’96

Marco Valadez ’15

Aaron Wodka ’17

Mission

The USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association’s mission is to connect LGBTQ+ alumni to the university and each other in order to create an enriching and supportive community, award scholarships to deserving USC students and promote education and increased visibility for LGBTQ+ students and alumni.

SPECIAL THANKS

The USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association thanks the sponsors of our 2023 Scholarship Gala:

Gold Sponsors

Keck School of Medicine of USC

USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Trojan Sponsors

David Bohnett

Amy Ross

Robert Moore/OUTLaw Student Organization (USC Gould)

Celaya Tequila

ONE Archives Foundation

University Relations

USC Alumni Association

USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association

USC Black Alumni Association

USC Latino Alumni Association

USC Marshall School of Business

USC Rossier School of Education

Pride Sponsors

USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

USC Credit Union

KECK MEDICINE OF USC

and the KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF USC

are proud to honor the USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FOR 30 YEARS OF TROJAN PRIDE

Thank you for connecting, supporting and enriching the lives of USC LGBTQ+ students and alumni

Proud to Support

USC LAMBDA LGBTQ+ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Congratulations

Alexandra Billings

Donald Gabard

Danielle Harvey

Lucille Warren

Fight On!

David C. Bohnett

warmest congratulations to our beloved founder Dr. Don Gabard our inspirational trailblazer Alexandra Billings and our tireless ally Danielle Harvey you inspire us each and every day!

amy a. ross

USC Dornsife Salutes the Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association 30th Annual Scholarship Gala honorees

Donald Gabard MS ’78, MPA ’88, PhD ’90

Alexandra Billings

Danielle Harvey ’00, ML ’19

Lucille Warren

Fight On!

Tom Henkenius and Gateno Gullo proudly support Lambda's 30th Scholarship Gala and warmly congratulate Danielle Harvey '00, ML '19 on receiving the 2023 Community Ally Award

We salute all the honorees for their support and commitment to the LGBTQ+ Community Fight On!

The USC Alumni Association proudly celebrates the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association’s 30 years of advocacy, service and philanthropy and congratulates this year’s Recognition Award honorees:

2023 LEGACY AWARD

Donald Gabard MS ’78, MPA ’88, PhD ’90

Founder and Former President, USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

2023 TRAILBLAZER AWARD

Alexandra Billings

Actress, Singer, Author, Activist and Assistant Professor of Acting, USC School of Dramatic Arts

2023 COMMUNITY ALLY AWARD

Danielle E. Harvey ’00, ML ’19

Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations, USC

2023 OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR AWARD

Lucille Warren ’22 Student, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

We proudly support USC Lambda and congratulate this year’s LAARA honorees:

Legacy Award

Donald Gabard MS ’78, MPA ’88, PhD ’90

Trailblazer Award

Alexandra Billings

Community Ally Award

Danielle Harvey ’00, ML ’19

Outstanding Lambda Scholar

Lucille Warren ’22

The USC Black Alumni Association is proud to support the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association 30th Annual Scholarship Gala

and all of tonight's honorees

Uniting, Uplifting and Empowering Black Trojans

Danielle E. Harvey ’00, ML ’19 Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations

We are proud to celebrate all of the honorees for the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association 30th Scholarship Gala

Thank you for representing the USC Trojan Family with excellence!

USC Rossier is proud to support the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association

30th Annual Scholarship Gala

We Celebr e

Danielle E. Harvey ’00, ML ’19 Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations and all of tonight’s honorees

We are proud to support the 2023 USC Lambda

We salute the remarkable accomplishments of the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association and its distinguished honorees.

Fight On!