One of the things I most remember about USC from my visits as a high school senior was learning about the Renaissance Scholars program. The staff and students I met described it as a way to honor students pursuing a combination of studies in widely separated fields. This intrigued me because although I was visiting USC as a prospective engineering student, I also wanted to continue being involved in theatre, which I realized I could do by adding a minor. USC and Viterbi’s encouragement of interdisciplinary studies was one of the reasons I ended up choosing to go to school here. Little did I know, USC’s support of diverse scholars did not end there.
I later found out that two other programs exist at USC to honor unique scholars, the Discovery Scholars program and the Global Scholars program. The former is for students who conduct unique or innovative research in either science or humanities while the latter honors student who have expanded their view of the world by studying, volunteering, or working abroad.
I have been lucky enough in my time at USC to study abroad twice. Two summers ago, I went to Rome with the Viterbi Overseas Program where I studied engineering communication. For the final project, my team and I wrote a research proposal about implementing dual flush toilets on USC’s campus as a way to reduce water consumption and make it a more sustainable campus.
The following fall I also traveled to Scotland to study at the University of Edinburgh for a semester. There I continued my study of sustainability by taking a course in which I learned about different types of renewable energy devices and energy saving methods. For my final report, I wrote an analysis of Scotland’s goal to reach 100% electricity from renewable sources by 2020. I analyzed the feasibility of this goal from an engineering, economic, and policy perspective.
Because of my extensive time abroad and research conducted, I decided to apply to be a Global and Discovery Scholar in additional to being a Renaissance Scholar. I plan to use both of the final projects from my time abroad in my Discovery and Global Scholars applications. This triple scholar distinction is not common among USC graduates and I am excited at the possibility of receiving this honor!
Check out some pictures below of my renaissance, discovery, and global involvement:
Acting in a School of Theatre production to get credit for my theatre minor!
Group picture on a weekend trip to Orvieto while studying in Rome
Tourist picture at the Trevi fountain while studying abroad in Rome!
Diagram from our final USC dual flush toilet proposal
On the Royal Yacht Britannia while studying in Edinburgh
Until next time,
Will
