University of Southern California

Overview

The University of Southern California (USC) was founded in 1880 in Los Angeles, a city that was still developing basic infrastructure at the time. The university’s establishment was the result of efforts from judge Robert Maclay Widney and a group of philanthropists, who provided the land needed to build the institution. Initially, USC enrolled only 53 students but has since grown into a prestigious research university, with nearly 4,000 faculty members across 21 schools and units. The main campus is situated in central Los Angeles, while the Health Sciences campus, which houses the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy along with three teaching hospitals, is located nearby. USC is renowned for its medical research, especially in fields like cancer, stem cell, regenerative, and sports medicine, as well as its children's hospital. The university is also famous for its School of Cinema Arts and its notable alumni, including Hollywood icons like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and George Lucas, as well as astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.