USC Rossier Kicks Off Its Centennial

By Andrea Bennett and Anna Cearley on June 29, 2009 5:21 PM

Family and friends of the USC Rossier School of Education throughout the last century joined in celebration on June 29 as the school kicked off its 100th-year anniversary.

Red and gold banners were unveiled on the sides of Waite Phillips Hall in recognition of the milestone moment as political dignitaries mingled with present and past faculty, current and incoming students and alumni.

Dean Karen Symms Gallagher spoke about how innovation and transformation have been the school’s guiding principles from the start of its never-ending mission to provide quality education.

“The common thread throughout this school’s history - our very DNA - has been our commitment to change, to meet the needs of educators and of students, families and the communities they serve,” she said. “You cannot survive for 100 years, let alone thrive and lead, without embracing innovation and change.”

Established in 1909, the USC Rossier School of Education has become recognized as one of the world’s premier centers for the study of urban education. Its tradition is in training teachers and administrators and conducting research that will foster excellence among all students, but particularly those with challenged backgrounds.

The school is ranked among the top 10 private graduate schools of education in the country and has been singled out for its diversity of faculty and student body.

The school also has developed innovative curricula including a nationally known Ed.D. program for practitioners, and programs that incorporate cutting-edge technology, such as the first Master of Arts in teaching program - MAT@USC - delivered online by an elite research university.

So far, 144 students have been accepted in the MAT@USC program, which Gallagher said will exponentially increase the number of quality educators in districts throughout the country.

Alumna Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana PhD ’95, superintendent of Pomona Unified School District and President Obama’s pick for U.S. Department of Education assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education, provided the keynote address.

Melendez spoke of the powerful ability of an educator to inspire students at any age, and she also emphasized the importance of innovation. USC Rossier, she said, is an innovative leader in education circles.

“As we prepare for the second 100 years, I’m struck by how current, relevant and cutting-edge it really is,” she said. “Innovation and creativity will be rewarded like never before and USC Rossier will be leading the way.”

Los Angeles Unified School District board president Monica Garcia presented a certificate of recognition to the school and lauded its significant role in the community.

The event was also the occasion for the announcement of the first holder of the newly established Katzman-Ernst Chair in Educational Entrepreneurship, Technology and Innovation. The new chair goes to David C. Dwyer, who has more than 30 years experience as an industry leader, researcher and educator, and as an acclaimed expert in the application of technologies for learning.

John Katzman, founder of Princeton Review and CEO of 2tor, the school’s partner in the development of the MAT@USC program, is a benefactor of the Katzman Ernst Chair.

According to Katzman: “This is a school of education that is brimming with experts and thought-leaders. It is forward thinking and agile. USC and USC Rossier are ready to change the game for education.”

USC Rossier professor Lloyd Armstrong, Jr. spoke at the June 29 celebration about the highlights in the school’s history and its ambitious path toward the future and the next 100 years. Much of USC Rossier’s future, he said, lies in creating networks that span communities and the globe.

“The world is changing, and knowledge creation is occurring all over the world,” said Armstrong, who called USC Rossier a “pioneer” in developing and tapping into these networks.

Rudy Crew, clinical professor and interim executive director of the Greater Crenshaw Educational Partnership, shared his thoughts about the role of USC Rossier in the community, referring to the work to be done through the Greater Crenshaw Educational Partnership.

“Clearly we will be in the business of community building,” he said, comparing the process to painting a tapestry. “This is literally about taking the human tapestry of school, community and the partnership with USC, and painting a world these children will walk in … so they can be capable of being able to rise to the occasion and to someday be in your seat and in my seat.”

Haley Scott DeMaria, a member of the inaugural cohort of USC Rossier’s new online MAT@USC program, shared her inspiring life journey, which included competitive swimming, paralysis after a tragic accident, her miraculous recovery and the published autobiography that followed. Throughout her ordeal, DeMaria’s dream had always been to pursue teaching.

“Only through the MAT@USC program would I be able to achieve the high goals I wanted to achieve in teaching,” said DeMaria, who lives with her husband and two young children on the East Coast. “I’m grateful to the school for creating a program that transforms the way we learn and the way we teach.”

TAGS: education

Search search

Search only News Archives