At last, USC celebrates its military, veterans, and ROTC

At last, USC celebrates its military, veterans, and ROTC

USC’s annual military, veteran and ROTC gala on the evening of March 5, 2020, sparkled as it always had, with dress uniforms and traditions both somber and celebratory. Just eight days later, pandemic safety measures forced university life online — making that gala the last major university event held in person before campus was closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enhancing the quality of life for student veterans

Enhancing the quality of life for student veterans

When he graduated as an honor roll athlete from Salinas High School in 2007, Ryan Taylan ’22 had the grades to attend college. But first, he wanted to try out a career, and then maybe an adventure. He got both in the decade that followed—working nearly three years as a bank teller, and almost seven in the U.S. Navy as an aviation technician on F-18 fighter jets.

Veterans Affairs can be more trans-friendly

Veterans Affairs can be more trans-friendly

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility and this year I’m reflecting on what it means to live as both a veteran and a trans person in 2022. On this day each spring, trans people celebrate the lives of those in our community who have made it this far and speak out about the ongoing discrimination we face.