Questions 1-10
How many students were in the first graduating class of the University? Who was the Valedictorian of this class? What was significant about this
2 men, 1 woman. The valedictorian was Minnie C. Miltimore. She was a woman, making her the first female valedictorian in USC's history
What is the University’s motto in Latin?
What is the University’s motto in English?
Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat & Let whoever earns the palm bear it.
What is the name of USC’s yearbook? What year was it started?
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What is the name of USC’s school newspaper? What year was it started?
Rodeao 1899 & Daily Trojan 1912
When did USC implement its Freshman Seminars? &
When did all formal ties between USC and the Methodist Church end?
1990–91 academic year & 1952
Recite Creed
The Trojan Knights Creed
A Trojan Knight strives to uphold the five ideal aspects of a Trojan
Faithful to the traditions of the university of southern california
Scholarly in matters academic
Skillful in pursuit of ends which better USC and the community around it
Courageous in defense of their brother knight and fellow Trojans
Ambitious in their works and in their hopes to enrich that which is already great
Brotherhood, Service, Spirit
A Knight's work is supported by the pillars of their organization
A guardian of tradition, a host without peril, a Trojan to the end
A Trojan knight is all of these things
On what date was the first day of classes held?
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How much did USC's first building originally cost to build?
October 6, 1880
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$5,060
What was the former name of commencement?
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What is the name of USC’s oldest service organization and the name of USC’s Official University Hosts?
Ivy Day & Trojan Knights
What is the “Nation’s Largest College Musical?” What year was it started?
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What is the All-University Honor Society?
Songfest, 1954
Skull and Dagger Society
Where did “Conquest” come from? Who composed it?
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When is “Trojans’ Day in LA” When was it implemented? Why?
“Conquest” came from the score of the 1947 film Captain from Castile, and Alfred Newman composed it
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January 21st, implemented in 2003 to celebrate the 2003 men's football team, women's volleyball team, and men's water polo team
Who was Louis Zamparini
Serving as a bombardier in the US Air Force, when his plane crashed in the ocean in 1943, leaving him and 2 crewmates adrift on a raft for 11 days, despite battling starvation, sharks, and Japanese strafer planes, Zamperini's indomitable will sustained them until they were captured by the enemy. Enduring unimaginable torture and hardship in Japanese prison camps. Zamperini's spirit remained unbroken; his resilience and defiance against his captors became legendary, inspiring fellow prisoners and capturing international attention. After the war, he grappled with PTSD, but ultimately found solace in forgiveness, even extending it to his captors. He became a sought-after motivational speaker and author, recounting his remarkable journey in his autobiography Devil at My Heels, which later inspired the bestselling book Unbroken by Lauren Hillian-Brand and a movie directed by Angelina Jolie. Louis Zamperini, routed at his time at USC and his unwavering resilience, serves as a Testimony of the human spirit and the transformative nature of forgiveness, inspiring generations to confront challenges with determination and courage.
Name the three men who donated the land where USC is located and how many total lots of land they donated.
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On what date was the first cornerstone laid?
Ozro W. Childs, John G. Downey, and Isaias W. Hellman, 308 lots
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September 4th 1880
What is the name of USC’s current mascot? When did he become USC’s official mascot?
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Who is the owner of the USC mascot?
Travler, 1961 & Joanne Asman
What is the most prestigious All-University Honor Society for academics and service?
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What was the name of the WWII Liberty Ship that was named after a past President of the University? When was it launched?
Mortar Board & SS Marion McKinley Bovard, November 5, 1942
Sing Both Fight On and Our Alma Mater
Who wrote our Fight Song
Who Wrote our Alma Mater
“Fight On!”
Lyrics:(Fight on for ol' SC, Our men fight on to victory, Our Alma Mater dear, Looks up to you, Fight on and win, For ol' SC, Fight on to victory, Fight on!)
Glen Grant. (Milo Sweet Composed it)
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All Hail to Alma Mater” / “All Hail.”
Lyrics: (All Hail to Alma Mater, To thy glory we sing; All Hail to Southern California, Loud let thy praises ring; Where Western sky meets Western sea, Our college stands in majesty; Sing our love to Alma Mater, Hail, all hail to thee!)
It was written by Alfred F. “Al” Wesson
What was George Tirebiters GPA & What classes did he take
3.2 & Chasing Cars 101, Biting Tires 270
On what date was the University founded? &
On what date was the cornerstone of the Walls of Troy laid?
July, 29th, 1879 & March 4, 1955
Who is the current Rider of the USC mascot?
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Who was USC’s former mascot? What year did he become USC’s mascot?
Dana Kanstul, & George Tirebiter, 1947
What is the name of USC’s oldest philanthropy? Which Trojan Knight founded it? In what year was it founded?
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Who discovered the first effective treatment for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Troy Camp, Otis Healy, 1948 & Norman H. Topping, USC's seventh president
What is the name of the building with the giant dome near campus? What group did it originally belong to?
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What is significant about the USC Community House? What is its original name? What was its original address?
The Art of Living building, was a Methodist Church
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Original name: Forthmann House. Original address: 629 West 18th Street It is considered the sixth-oldest house in Los Angeles.
What are all four cornerstones of the fountain
Community, Home, School, & Church
What is the current name of the first building on campus? What was the name of USC’s first dormitory?
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How many students were there during the University’s first year? How many faculty were there?
Widney Alumni House & Hodge Hall
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53 students and 10 faculty members
What was taught to freshmen at USC in the old days?
Which Trojan Knight served as a Rider?
To Love, Honor and Obey Seniors
& Rick Oas
Name the Presidents of the University and the years each served (in chronological order). & What is the oldest Honor Society in American Higher Education?
1 Marion M. Bovard 1880-1891 (11 Years)
2 Joseph P. Widney 1892-1895 (3 Years)
3 George W. White 1895-1899 (4 Years)
4 George F. Bovard 1903-1921 (18 years)
5 Rufus B. von KleinSmid 1921-1947 (26 years)
6 Fred D. Fagg, Jr. 1947-1957 (10 Years)
7 Norman H. Topping 1958-1970 (12 years)
8 John R. Hubbard 1970-1980 (10 Years)
9 James H. Zumberge 1980-1991 (11 Years)
10 Steven B. Sample 1991-2010 (19 Years)
11 C. L. Max Nikias 2010-2018 (8 years)
12 Wanda M. Austin 2018-2019 (1 Year)
13 Carol Folt 2019-2025 (6 Years)
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Phi Beta Kappa
Who are the youngest and oldest USC students of all time? How old were each of them? &
In what year did USC award its first Ph.D.? To whom did they award this degree and in which department did he study?
Michael Kearney, age 12, Alfonso Gonzales, age 96 &
David Welty Lefever in 1927 in the School of Education.
Name the Wild Bunch & How Many Sacks did they get against which UCLA Quarterback (name the QB)
Al Cowlings, Tody Smith, Charlie Weaver, Jimmy Gunn, Willard (Bubba) Scott.
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Dennis Dummit was sacked 10 times