MEET OUR SCHOLARS
In December 1965, shortly after the Watts riots, the late Russell L. Caldwell, a specialist in Early American history, a human rights activist, and the president of the USC Faculty Association, challenged his colleagues to support a positive new kind of demonstration at USC — a commitment to create a USC-to-neighborhood
“We seek your aid,” he outlined in his initial plea to USC staff and faculty, “in establishing FacultyStaff supported scholarships for worthy students in USC’s neighborhood who could not otherwise ever hope to attend USC.” He challenged his colleagues to “donate $5 or more per month through payroll deductions in order to raise $2000 a year to aid students.” relationship by providing scholarships for students from high schools surrounding USC.
The USC Neighborhood Scholarship, as it was then called, officially launched in 1966. Although the $2000 goal was not reached immediately, the first Scholarship was awarded the next year to Preston Mike, Jr., a 17-year-old mid-year graduate of Manual Arts High School. Mike received $549 to help pay for books and tuition and was granted additional awards until his graduation in 1972.
Professor Caldwell died in 1979, and at his request, the USC Retired Faculty Association became a sponsor of the scholarship. The RFA then voted to change the name to the Russell L. Caldwell Neighborhood Scholarship Program.
This month's Caldwell Scholarship Spotlight:
We are thrilled to introduce our incoming freshmen scholars: Andy Ruiz Jimenez and Chris Rosa Franco!
Senior Jose Zarate Diaz has taken a leave of absence from his studies at USC for the Fall 2024 semester as he was recruited for a paid position at Abbott Laboratories in Sylmar, California. The job at Abbott began on June 24th. With this opportunity, he will now be graduating in Fall 2025. At Abbott, Jose will be using 3D software in developing medical software…Click Here to Read More.
Natalia Carrillo is a junior studying International Relations whose future plan is to pursue a master’s degree and eventually transition into project management. This summer she served as a voting observer for Mexico’s presidential elections on behalf of the Organization of American States (OAS), an experience that deepened her understanding of international governance….Click Here to Read More.
John Recendez is a Business Administration major in the Marshall School of Business with a minor in Philosophy. This past summer he had a corporate banking internship at Valley Bank in downtown Los Angeles, and had the opportunity to meet with Valley’s Chief Banking Officer, Alan Rudolph. John had meetings with prospective and current clients, and worked on an intern-led marketing campaign that reached finalist status among ten other intern groups… Click Here to Read More.
Isaic Alonso grew up in South Central Los Angeles. He and his older sister and brother were raised by a single mother who worked not only to provide for her children, but made sure they all prioritized their education. As a child he would walk through the USC campus on his way home. As he got older he realized what an education at USC could offer him and dedicated himself to his studies so that one day he would be a USC student… Click Here to Read More.
Alondra Hernandez will be pursuing a degree in neuroscience within USC’s Dornsife School of Letters, Arts & Science. In June 2023, she graduated from Huntington Park High School with Principal Honors and Biliteracy awards. At Huntington Park High, she was part of Women’s Soccer, Track & Field, and Cross-Country teams… Click Here to Read More.
Genesis Gonzalez is entering USC in the Interdisciplinary Major Program in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. She selected this major as it allows her to be able to study diverse subjects that pertain to her interests: philosophy, politics and law. She is one of only 200 undergraduate students that has been accepted into the prestigious Thematic Option program with aspirations of attending Law School after completing her undergraduate degree… Click Here to Read More.
Leah Stevenson grew up in Los Angeles with her older brother, sister and mother. She watched as her mother raised three kids while simultaneously attending college to earn a degree to better the lives of her and her children. This inspired Leah to work hard in high school so she could attend a top university, one that would make her family proud… Click Here to Read More.