UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA • SUMMER 2017 • TLLA.ORG

I N T H I S I S S U E

TLLA Honors our Vets and All Benefit!

President’s Message

2017 Alumni Award Recipients

Admitted Student Receptions

History of TLLA

2017 Spring Party at Nixon Library

USC Yesterday and Today

TLLA New Members

Chatterbox

USC Scholarship Funds

TraLAThe newsletter of theTrojan League of Los Angeles

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA • SUMMER 2017 • TLLA.ORG

The newsletter of the Trojan League of Los Angeles

TLLA Honors our Vets and All Benefit! by Cathleen Menke

Aaaaah our 58th Annual Benefit…

...what a memorable time, and one in which we can all saytouched each and every one of us. The Benefit was designedfor our guests to be part of a unique experience. Commencingwith a beautiful day, guests were invited to the magnificentFertitta Hall and were thrilled to tour this newstate-of-the-art facility. At the Café, all enjoyedsharing and conversing over delicious coffeeand pastries, as well as interacting with dearProfessor Beauregard Tirebiter, our TLLAWellness Dog.

After a welcome from our president, wetransitioned to our classes and all wereengaged in the different topics so eloquentlypresented. Many guests were copiously takingnotes and anxious to return to campus andattend additional lectures from theseoutstanding professors. Our attendees wereexposed to new areas of business, such associal entrepreneurship, profit for non-profitproducts, and measuring the neurology ofachievers in multiple industries. At theculmination of the class experience, all walked to our beautifulTown and Gown, where all were greeted with a stunning room,filled with the theme of patriotism and honoring of our veterans.

The second half of our Benefit Day was dedicated to theMaster of Business for Veterans, a new and unique programfor outstanding veterans to receive this honorable MBV degree.

Before the luncheon, a retired colonelcalled “to present the colors” followedby a lovely rendition of our nationalanthem. The audience, so deeplymoved, stood at attention with handson their hearts, honoring those whohave fought for our enduring freedom.The luncheon was followed by a paneldiscussion of four veteran men who are currently attending theMaster of Business for Veterans Program, and graduating inMay. The audience was captivated listening to their personaljourneys from their tours of service, and ultimately, to thisprogram at USC. At the close, our President, moved to tears,expressed her genuine gratitude to the panelists, as well asthe guests attending this sold out event. Many enthusiast

attendees stayed well beyond the conclusion,eager to continue in conversation, as well astaking photographs with the panelists, andreveling in this incredibly emotional event.

On purpose, the names have beenomitted from this article, as all played animportant and integral part in the success ofthis venture. It is all about the power of beinga part of something much greater, along withthe gift of going home with an incrediblefeeling of accomplishment and a gratefulheart. The photographs are certainly atestament to this day. Proudly, we raised$44,600 to fund one and a half fullscholarships for a deserving veteran to attendthe MBV program in the fall of 2017. It is ourhope that we continue the momentum, either

by donating to the MBV scholarship fund or supporting ourveteran students in their current and future endeavors, as theyembark on their new paths. As a member of Trojan League ofLos Angeles, you have the unique ability to be part of theirlives.Thank you for being part of re-imagining a benefit!

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President’s MessageDear Ladies of Trojan League,

Here we are in June already, a time for graduations and celebra-

tions, and Trojan League has had several graduations and celebrations

of our own. In November, TLLA ‘graduated’ into an elite group of donors

to USC, the Widney Society. Raising over $1,000,000 through silent

auctions, admissions events and campus projects is amazing! Every

member of our organization, current and past, has contributed to this

honor and should share in the pride it brings to TLLA. We also gradu-

ated into a new method of fundraising this spring with the introduction

of mobile devices to make donations directly to our scholarship for veterans. The Benefit, which fea-

tured unique programs within the Marshall School of Business, raised $44,400 to fund a full scholar-

ship for a deserving veteran as well as a partial scholarship for another recipient.

Our membership has had many celebrations throughout the year. In September, four of our JP

Allen scholars joined us for the general meeting where we heard Professor Dan Schnur’s comments

on the upcoming elections. Friendship was celebrated with the Gourmet Lunch Bunch, as the group

traveled via restaurants to Vietnam, Argentina, the Mediterranean, Paris and ending with an elegant

tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. In March, everyone who attended the Benefit was given an

opportunity to celebrate our veterans. Everyone left with such a great feeling of gratitude and respect.

The Admitted Student receptions in April celebrated fine, young students being accepted to USC, and

we hope our warm hospitality encouraged every student to say ‘Yes’ on May 1st. Later in April, over

1,000 people helped celebrate the honorees at the Alumni Awards dinner included our very own, Vicki

McCluggage. Friends, family and Trojan League members were thrilled that the University recognized

this devoted Trojan for all that she has done for our organization and USC. The Showcase House in

Pasadena provided the perfect setting for camaraderie as we toured the home and enjoyed lunch to-

gether. Our year of celebrating was capped off with the Annual Meeting at Michele Engemann’s home.

Past presidents, sustainers, new members and the 2017-18 Board of Directors were given a hearty

‘Olé!’ in keeping with the Cinco de Mayo theme.

This summer an Ad Hoc Membership committee will be reviewing our bylaws and practices per-

taining to membership. The goal is to enhance our membership experience and attract new members.

As I look forward to working with the new Board, I share a heartfelt thanks to those who served on

the Board this year. Being supported by our entire dedicated membership, this year was one of

tremendous personal growth and confidence for me as a leader. I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful

summer full of family fun, travel adventures and more celebrations!

Fight On!

Charlene S. Ebright

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2016-17 TROJAN LEAGUEOF LOS ANGELESBOARD OF DIRECTORSExecutive Committee:

PresidentCharlene Ebright

President-ElectChristine Ofiesh

VP Ways and MeansKathleen Campos

VP Student RecruitmentMary Lyon

VP MembershipStephani Tyler

VP HospitalityJanine Colich and Tracy BerlinerSmith

Recording SecretaryFran Ciulla

Corresponding SecretaryNancy Mills

TreasurerRhonda Kozacik

Immediate Past PresidentKathleen Campos

Nominating ChairVicki McCluggage

CommitteeEllen BursonKathleen CamposMarilyn KezirianMary Lyon

AlternatesDebbie Gilmour Stephani Tyler

Standing and SpecialCommittees:

Allocations/Future PlanningMarcia Kreditor

Alumnae Coordinating CouncilMarilyn Kezirian

Association of Trojan LeaguesDenice KalunianChristine OfieshMelody Nishida

AttendanceNancy Mills

BylawsBetty Jamgotchian

Gourmet Lunch BunchSally Doll

New MembersKimberly Doder

Professional LiasonAlisa Chanpong-Amateau

ProgramsKathleen Patrick

RosterClaudia Negrete

ScholarshipKathy Windsor

Spring Party/ToursSue Phelps

Website/EmailErin Dundee

TraLAFran Ciulla

USC Yesterday and TodayLauren Gorsch

Volunteer Recognition AwardsJane Bensussen

2017 Alumni Awards Recipients On the evening of April 22, 2017, at the 84thAlumni Awards Gala located at the WestinBonaventure, USC honored seven distinguishedalumni for their achievements and contributions toUSC. This year, Trojan League’s very own VickiMcCluggage received this prestigious award. Vicki was joined by fellow recipients, USCTrustees Rick Caruso and Wanda Austin, OlympicGold Medalist Allyson Felix, Grant Gershon, FredUytengsu and Dan Cassidy. All proceeds from theevent support the USC Alumni Association’sprograms and services for more than 377,000 alumniworldwide.

While the media likes to call today’s college students“snowflakes,” there were no flakes among the alumnae ofTrojan League LA’s Recruitment Committee. Twenty-sixmembers juggled trays piled high with sandwiches, fruit,cheese and desserts; lugged Starbucks coffee travelers,bags of ice and cases of soft drinks and water; deliveredhuge ice buckets and bottles of iced tea; provided piles ofpaper goods and then ran out to get more for our twoevents on April 9 and 12. They deserve a round of applause! We had great food and great fun as we ate and chattedwith record-breaking crowds of admitted students and theirfamilies. On both dates, this year’s numbers surpassedprevious years. Our Westside hosts were Jane and Gale Bensussenwhose inviting and lovely Santa Monica “cottage” welcomed39 students and 69 family members for a total of 104, notincluding the University’s admissions and financial aidofficers, the Helenes and our own Trojan League members.There was no Westside ASR last year but, in 2015, a totalof 101 students and families attended this event.

The Eastside event was held at the Pasadena home ofever-gracious hosts Michele and Roger Engemann andboasted 141 students and families alone as compared to2016 numbers of 130 and 2015 numbers of 110. That istruly an amazing increase and speaks to the tremendousenthusiasm among our admitted students, most of whomsaid they had already made their decision to become aTrojan. On Saturday, April 29, five of our members (and onehusband) got a sneak peek at the brand new McCarthyHonors College as they welcomed 350 students and theirfamilies at the Scholarship Social. Charlene Ebright, MaryLyon, Kathy Windsor, Diane Elder and Fran and Phil Ciullahanded out USC tumbler mugs to students as they enteredthe new building. After a short program it was off to see thenew dorm rooms which are air conditioned and arranged assuites, each one of which has its own bathroom. All three events were great successes and I lookforward to passing the baton forward to Mary Lyon who Iknow will do a fantastic job in 2018!

Admitted Student Receptions a Grand Success!Record Breaking numbers at Admitted Student Receptions by Diane Elder

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History of TLLA In January 1957, at the invitation of Arnold Eddy, ExecutiveDirector of the General Alumni Association at the University ofSouthern California, eighteen interested alumnae attended aluncheon at the Wilshire Country Club. Theymet to discuss the formation of a new alum-nae group in the Los Angeles area. ArnoldEddy greatly valued the outstanding womenwho were leaders in the community and inthe professions in Los Angeles, and he de-sired to establish a vehicle to bring theseoutstanding women back to USC and tomake use of their skills and talents on behalfof the University. The initial launching of the Trojan Leagueof Los Angeles was held on Tuesday, March25, 1958, at the California Club. Seventy-seven members were honored as CharterMembers. Guests of honor included Dr.Rufus Bernhard Von KleinSmid, Chancellor;Dr. Albert S. Raubenheimer, Vice PresidentAcademic Affairs; Earl Bolton, Vice President

of Development; Arnold Eddy; and Dr. J. Howard Payne, Pres-ident General Alumni Association.Membership: Today, TLLA has approximately 110 members.

Outstanding women engaged in businessand in the community in Los Angeles are in-vited to join TLLA following a vote of itsmembership. These women are primarily se-lected from the greater Los Angeles area in-cluding Santa Monica, Long Beach, SanGabriel Valley, a small portion of the San Fer-nando Valley, and Los Angeles. Some mem-bers also reside in Orange County.Membership in TLLA is granted to thoseoutstanding alumnae who have demon-strated a commitment to volunteer servicein TLLA, completed two consecutive yearsat the University, been out of the Universityfor at least eight years, and distinguishedthemselves for their leadership ability in civic,educational, and philanthropic service to theUniversity and the community.

USC Yesterday and TodayTwo Interesting Articles by Lauren Gorsch

USC’s Diversity LegacyUSC Tops Grammys and Oscars

With all the award shows going on right now, it seemsappropriate to see where USC places in the music and cin-ematic arts. As with most industries, USC is on top. USChas produced the most Oscar winners of any institution inthe world. In fact, USC is the only university that can boastthat alum have been nominated for an Oscar every yearsince the Academy Awards began in 1929. This is no coin-cidence, as the USC School of Cinematic Arts is the oldestand largest film school in the country. In addition, it enjoysa top ranking in all university polls, both national and inter-national. For the Grammy Awards, USC is also on top. Not onlydoes USC rank 5th in the nation with 38 Grammy awards,USC has an incredibly diverse list of winners over the years,from Herb Alpert, a nine-time winner, who played in USC’sMarching Band in the 1950s, to opera singer Ford, to popartist Macy Gray, to Michael Balzary of the Red Hot ChiliPeppers. The Thornton School of Music is also the longest“continually-operated cultural institution” in Los Angeles, of-fering musical education since 1884. So, the music and cin-ema industries are just another instance where we can bevery proud of our alma mater!

With diversity being a major topic in the mediatoday, it seems relevant to examine USC’s diversityover the years. From the first time USC opened itsdoors in 1880, USC has welcomed students from anyrace, ethnicity, gender, religion, or culture. This wasvery unusual for the time. Most universities, includingivy league, did not accept minorities, which includedwomen, until many, many decades later.

In fact, USC’s diversity can be traced back to itsthree founding donors: Orzo Child, a Methodisthorticulturist, John Downey, an Irish-Catholicgovernor, and Isaiah Hellman, a German Jewishbanker.

This embracement of diversity has grown strongerover the years, and today USC continuously ranks asone of the top universities in the country to have themost international students. In 2015, USC wasranked #2 in the nation with over 30% of its studentpopulation being international.

So once again we can be proud of our alma materfor well representing diversity both nationally, as wellas internationally.

Our General Meeting was a Fiesta Grande!

ATL Spring Party at the Richard M. Nixon LibraryTLLA’s Serena Overhoff, the Chair wih Flair, oversees ATL’s SpringParty at the Richard M. Nixon Library Association of Trojan Leagues held their annual spring event at the Richard M. Nixon Library. ManyTLLA ladies attended and it was a wonderful day of sharing with all of the other Trojan Leagues in SouthernCalifornia. Thank you to our very own Serena Overhoff for organizing this special event!

Welcome New Members to TLLA!

Lunch BunchThe

TLLA Lunch Bunch, with Nancy Mills atthe helm, tasted their way around theworld this year. Here is the group at 10ein Los Angeles. Yum!

Members, Past Presidents and Sustainers enjoying the party!

On May 3, all TLLA Members, Presidents and Sustainers gathered for a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the lovely home ofMichele Engemann. Mexican fare was served with a perfect Latino flair and décor had a fun south of the border theme. Sustainersand Past Presidents were honored and the 2017-2018 Slate of Officers were announced. Fue un dia magnifico! It was amagnificent day!

New Member Chair, Kimberly Doder, arranged a beautiful luncheonat Moreton Fig on the USC Campus for our excited new members.Current members Cathy Menke, Charlene Ebright, Diane Elder, FranCiulla and Marilyn Kezirian brought our “newbies” up to speed over adelicious lunch and all enjoyed this fun and informational get together.

Pictured from left to right: Kimberly Doder, New Member Chair withLori Hille from Downey, Allison Maginn from Pasadena and JenniferCupo Abbot, also from Pasadena.

A sincere “hello” from your TLLA friends!

TraLAThe newsletter of the Trojan League of Los Angeles

Fran CiullaEditor

Although the suspense is mounting, our calendar will beforthcoming when dates are finalized. Keep a look out for a TLLAEmail Blast in the coming weeks!

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T L L A C H A T T E R B O XDiane Bleak shares, "My husbandand I are ecstatic to announce that ouroldest daughter, Kimberly DaytonBleak (Marymount High School grad-uate, 2017) has been accepted toGeorge Washington (GW) University(Fall class 2017) with an Academicscholarship for up to five years. Manyof you who knew my father, Dr. GlennOrville Dayton graduated from GWmedical school and my mother grewup in Washington DC. Kimberly'sgreat-grandfather, The HonorableJudge David Andrew Pine was Chief

Justice to President Truman. Needless to say, Washington DC holds aspecial place in all of our hearts.

Our son, Anderson David Bleak just completed his freshman year atLoyola High School and absolutely loved it. Anderson made both thefreshman volleyball and football team at Loyola. He's going to studyreal estate and construction this summer as well as play club beachvolleyball and of course, surf!

Brian and I are surviving the teenage years and still having a lot offun.

Christine Moses proudly reports: "Myson Matthew graduated from MarshallSchool of Business. During his senioryear, he had a wealth management in-ternship at Merrill Lynch. After he re-turns from a European vacation withthree SC grads, he will be working at Or-acle in Santa Monica. We’re so proud ofMatthew and glad that the Trojan Tradi-tion continues. Katie is next in 2019!"

Betty Jamgotchian is a proudgrandma with baby Arthur James bornon June 7. He was 9 lbs. 3 oz and 21.5”long!

News from Edwina Broderick: “My grandson, Nick was acceptedlast year on the Trojan Transfer Program and will be attending SC inAugust. He will be the 7th member of his family to be a Trojan. Bothparents, 3 grandparents and an aunt are Trojans!

Jose and Laure Molina celebrated their 34th wedding anniversaryat The Magic Castle. This summer the family vacationed in Washing-ton, D.C. where son, Andrew, (USC B.A. '15, Yale Law School J.D. '18)is a summer associate at two law firms. Fight On!

Carol Greenhalgh reports that they will be enjoying the summer be-fore going to their home in England in September, followed by a tripto Scotland, then to Vienna to her cousins.

Dee Dee Graves and hubby Denny cruised on Oceania from HongKong to Singapore in February - via South Korea, Japan, and Tipai.At the end, we went to Tokyo, and south to Hahone, where we stayedin a fabulous reckon, Gore Kadan. “It was the most beautiful and re-laxed setting I have ever experienced.” Then they took the cable car tothe top of the mountain to see Mount Fuji.

Ted and Sally Doll are off on their first ever road trip. Can you be-lieve? Traveling through the Southwest starting with Prescott, Sedona,Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Durango, Taos and culminating in SantaFe New Mexico, where Ted plays in a golf tournament. Happy trails!In Prescott, they met some friends who had retired there. In Sedona,they met up with a gal Sally knew from Pasadena who has movedclose to Sedona. What a beautiful, enchanting spot and a lovely trip!

Tracy Berliner Smith is SO proud that her son, Matthew BrandonSmith, now joins her as a Trojan alum, after graduating this May fromUSC Marshall! He will begin a career in real estate development andresidential sales after traveling to Israel and Asia this summer. To cel-ebrate having both sons as college grads, Tracy is joining her momand brother for a trip to Spain in mid-June!

Lisa Broderick writes, “I went to see my niece, Julianna graduateSumma Cum Laude from Boston University in Biochemistry, with aBachelor and Master's degree in 4 years. After graduation, she and Ispent 4 absolutely great days with Fran Ciulla at her Cape Cod cot-tage! I would also like to add that my daughter Cathy hiked the GrandCanyon over Memorial Day. And lastly, Chris and I are leaving forJapan on June 8 and plan to divide our time between Tokyo and Hi-roshima. Happy travels, Lisa!

Kathy Windsor has moved from Eagle Rock to Pasadena. She pur-chased a duplex where she will live in one unit and her daughter andgranddaughter in the other. The address is 1146 Avoca Avenue,Pasadena 91105. Landline is 626-314-2047. The old house will keepKathy busy this summer remodeling, but she will take a break to cruisewith her granddaughter Sofia, 9 years old, from Montreal to Bostonthe first week of July.

A bit of news from Kathleen McCarthy and Frank Kostlan: Wewill have 5 grandchildren attending USC in the Fall between the twoof us! Fight On, Kathleen, and congratulations!

Diane Elder has a new job as Head of Media Relations for a chil-dren's book publishing company, which just completed an interna-tional event with network newscoverage. The owner is a Trojanalum and best-selling author. Greatwork, Diane!

Linda Buckingham is introducingWyatt McKie Trundle. Linda writes,"I am now one of those nutty grand-mas who think their grandchild isjust perfect!!"

TROJAN LEAGUE MISSION STATEMENTUSC Trojan League of Los Angeles, the first of the Trojan Leagues, is an alumnae group founded on March 25, 1958.

Its purpose is to foster continuing interest in the University of Southern California on the part of Trojan alumniand their families by bringing into prominence the University history, traditions, and accomplishments,

and to advance the interests of the University.6

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Trojan Tribute Scholarship FundSponsored by the Association of Trojan Leagues and the University of Southern California Alumni AssociationContributions to the University of Southern California Trojan Tribute Scholarship Fund are welcomed from alumni andfriends of the Trojan Family. Honor a friend or celebrate a special occasion with a contribution. Your entire gift will godirectly to a special scholarship fund specifically created to assist deserving young students. Appropriate acknowl-edgements will be mailed to both the honoree and the contributor as a thank you and confirmation of the gift.

Please record my gift in honor of:_______________________________________________________________________PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY – THIS NAME WILL BE INSCRIBED IN THE TROJAN TRIBUTE BOOK @ THE USC ALUMNI HOUSE

This gift is to honor:

Anniversary Birthday Graduation In Memoriam Retirement Wedding Other

I have enclosed my check in the amount $_________________ (tax deductible)Please make checks payable to “Trojan Tribute – USC”

Indicate the name of the honoree on the memo line and send to:Trojan Tribute Scholarship Fund

Cindy Hill, 901 E. Grinnell, Burbank, CA 91501

Please send acknowledgement to:

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

City____________________________ State______ Zip_____________

Contributed by:

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

City____________________________ State______ Zip_____________

The Joseph Patrick Allen Endowed ScholarshipThe Joseph P. Allen Scholarship was established by the Trojan League of LA in 2001 in memory of Joseph PatrickAllen, former Vice Provost of Enrollment and Dean of Admissions at the University and a respected friend and supporterof the League. The best legacy of remembrance for him seemed to be a scholarship to enable more students to attendUSC. To support the Joseph P. Allen Scholarship, please fill out the form below.

I enclose my gift for:___________________________________________________________________________________PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY – THIS NAME WILL BE INSCRIBED IN THE TROJAN TRIBUTE BOOK @ THE USC ALUMNI HOUSE

My check in the amount of $_________________ (tax deductible)is enclosed payable to the USC TLLA J.P. Allen Scholarship, or if through the USC Associates Membership,

payable to the USC Associates with Joe Allen Scholarship on the memo line.Please mail to:

Trojan League of Los Angelesc/o: Cindy Hill, 901 E. Grinnell, Burbank, CA 91501

In Memory Birthday In Honor Special Occasion Thinking of You Anniversary

Please send acknowledgement to:

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

City____________________________ State______ Zip_____________

Contributed by:

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

City____________________________ State______ Zip_____________

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