| Los Angeles was little
more than a frontier town in 1880 when USC first opened its
doors to 53 students and 10 teachers. Today it is the oldest
independent teaching and research university in the West.
USC's two primary campuses, both located
in the heart of Los Angeles, welcome guests and visitors.
The University Park campus, home to the College of Letters,
Arts & Sciences and many professional schools, is adjacent
to Exposition Park, with its world-class museums and sports
facilities. A few miles to the northwest is the Health Sciences
campus, home to the schools of medicine and pharmacy, as well
as three major teaching hospitals. In addition, the university
conducts programs in locations throughout Southern California,
from Catalina Island to Orange County, as well as maintaining
a center in Sacramento.
The university's seal displays three torches,
representing the arts, the sciences, and philosophy. In heraldic
language, the torch is a symbol of learning. In the background
is the setting sun, representing the West and (in heraldic
symbolism) power and life. Embracing the torches and sun is
a California poppy, the USC flower and heraldic symbol of
growth. Completing the seal is the school motto - Palmam qui
meruit ferat. (Let whoever earns the palm bear it.).
A unique strength of USC is its integration
of liberal and professional learning. Students are encouraged
to develop "breadth with depth" by pursuing academic
minors that are far afield from their chosen majors or by
combining USC's strong liberal arts program with its wide
range of professional training. However, USC doesn't just
impart the best in academic tradition to its undergraduates,
graduates, and professional students. As a major research
institution, USC is committed to discovering new knowledge
and to actively contributing to what is taught, thought and
practiced throughout the world. |
