15 Things that Happened in 2015 at USC
(And other long titles) By Kelly Kinas ‘16
2015 was a fantastic year for the USA and for the world. But what specifically happened at USC? Well, I am so glad you asked. Take a look back at USC in 2015 and think of the amazing things yet to come!
*All photos were taken for USC’s official website. They are not mine. I do not take credit for them*
1. USC Women’s Beach Volleyball
These amazing women won the AVCA Championship by defeating Long Beach 3-0. They had a perfect season of 28-0. Can’t wait to see what they do this season!
2. The Special Olympics
Michelle Obama and many amazing athletes came to our campus this summer for the Special Olympics! The amazing event took over the entire campus and many medals were won and great times were had.
3. USC Baseball Beat UCLA…
In Dodger Stadium no less, the Trojan Baseball had a fantastic run in 2015, almost making it to the College World Series. Truthfully, beating UCLA was enough to make us happy.
3. … And Our Football Team Did Too
The Victory Bell has returned to it’s rightful home and to it’s rightful color. The game at the Coliseum on November 28th, 2015 was definitely a great way to end our regular season!
4. Unranked USC beating #3 Utah
Thanks to the efforts made by #35 Cameron Smith and the entire football team, USC beat #3 Utah to kickstart the Trojans’ season again. Throughout all the coaching staff changes, the football had been through a lot this season. Lucky for us fans, our team knows how to persevere and succeed.
5. Speaking of our Football Team…
One of the largest news stories about USC in 2015 was about Jake Olson, the blind long snapper on the USC football team. Olson’s amazing and heart-warming story was spread far and wide through Facebook and many national news outlets.
6. Moving on from Football… SWIMMING!
Our Men’s Swimming and Diving team WON the NCAA championship in Iowa this past year, waiting until the very the last race because, if Trojans know how to do anything, it’s to make things interesting by being as dramatic as possible.
7. Lastly in Sports, TRACK
Andre De Grasse had a record-breaking day at the USC-UCLA Dual Meet on May 3, as the Trojans came out victorious for the first time since 2010. In the 100m dash, De Grasse took first place with a PR of 10.04 (+0.4) to set the Loker Stadium record and tie the Dual Meet record set by Ato Boldon in 1996. With that time, De Grasse is now tied for second on USC’s all-time list, only .02 second behind the record of 10.02 set by James Stanford in 1980. He is now a favorite in the 2016 Olympics.
8. NEW STUDENTS #classof2019
I swear, by the time I leave this school, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get in. The fantastic class of 2019 made it through a terrifying (for them) admission process with only 18% of people getting admitted. Another fun fact, 1 in 8 students is a first generation college student. Woohoo!
9. Also in the Year of Firsts- Kaufman!
USC’s Dance School finally opened it’s doors to 20 Bachelors of Fine Arts students and the rest of the school gets to enjoy the high caliber of dancing. More culture at USC is definitely never a bad thing.
10. For New Beginnings– University Village
Students were astounded at how fast the University tore down the old UV and were equally impressed by how fast the new one is going us. With facets like Trader Joes, a gym, and student housing, this new extension to the University will the be the envy of all recent graduates.
11. Speaking of USC Buildings– Downtown!
With the new USC sign on the building in Downtown Los Angeles, the University has really been making strides in the community and growing in strength. We’re all very happy to see USC’s name in lights whenever we’re at LA Live.
12. Winter is Coming– or is Here, I Guess
Because USC is just so ridiculously cool, the Iron Throne made an appearance on campus with the Game of Thrones premiere and USC student Instagram rate went WAY UP. If pop culture ever has a home, it would definitely be here at USC.
13. May the Force be with You and Your Studying for Finals
Most people saw the Darth Vader on the USC Snapchat story, or the Force Awakens sign outside Pardee, or the Darth Vader Video that was shown on USC’s official Facebook page. I guess a school with a building in the Cinema School named after George Lucas, none of us should really be surprised.
14. We Should Be Protected From Fire for a While
USC opened the new Fire Station at Hoover and 30th. I personally just love this photo because the Drum Major is cutting the cake with his sword and that just makes me happy. Helping the community around us and looking good while doing it #USC
15. Last but not Least, Music
If your school doesn’t have a member of Fleetwood Mac come for a Q&A and a surprise performance of “Tusk” with your marching band, are you even an university??
Things like this really only happen at USC.
And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Fight on!
Continue reading about USC’s Year in Review here/Works Cited: http://news.usc.edu/tag/year-in-review-2015/
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