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:
Here are this year’s amazing scholars!
John Recendez
Last updated 08/03/2022 I am John Recendez, a recent graduate of Dorsey High School and an incoming freshman at USC. Some of my accomplishments while...
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John Recendez
Last updated 08/03/2022 I am John Recendez, a recent graduate of Dorsey High School and an incoming freshman at USC. Some of my accomplishments while at Dorsey include the Honor… Read More »John Recendez
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Elsa Natalia Carrillo
Last updated 08/08/2022 My Name is Elsa Natalia Carrillo, I came from El Salvador six years ago and am an incoming Freshmanpursuing a degree in International Relations. I graduated from… Read More »Elsa Natalia Carrillo
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Jose Zarate Diaz
Last updated 07/28/2022 Jose M Zarate Diaz graduated from Foshay Learning Center as Salutatorian of the Class of 2021. He was part of the Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic… Read More »Jose Zarate Diaz
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Raul Torres, Jr.
Last updated 07/28/2022 Raul graduated from Huntington Park High School with honors from the Superintendent’s and Principal’s High Honor Rolls with perfect attendance. He was an active member his school’s… Read More »Raul Torres, Jr.
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Michael Hernandez Garcia
Last updated 07/28/2022 Is completing his sophomore year at USC as a Mechanical Engineering major in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. During all four-years of high school he was… Read More »Michael Hernandez Garcia
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Kevin Gomez
Last updated 07/28/2022 Kevin Gomez is a current sophomore studying Public Policy, minoring in both Social Work and Juvenile Justice; and Law and Migration Studies. His dedication to community service… Read More »Kevin Gomez
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Jada Salazar
Last updated 08/03/2022 Jada is majoring in Business Administration in USC’s Marshall School, and as part of Marshall’s Honors Program she will graduate with a distinctive degree in Marketing. She… Read More »Jada Salazar
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