At the 2008 commencement, the university recognized 29 seniors in the inaugural class of USC Global Scholars. Each student spent at least ten weeks outside the U.S. as part of their undergraduate experience in their field of study and completed a capstone project and reflective essay related to the international experiences with a grade point average of 3.5 or better. Of the 13 graduating scholars who were selected as prize finalists by their school, seven have been nominated to receive a $10,000 prize. The seven prize recipients form an exemplary group. Their names and programs are provided below.
Valerie Crump Ravitch
Program: Music Performance (Saxophone)
Giuliana Haro
Program: Architecture
Grace Kim
Programs: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Studies, Natural Science (minor)
Sarah Kitson
Programs: Business Administration, Accounting
Jonathan Linkus
Program: Architecture
Nora Nelson
Program: Biomedical Engineering
Matias Sueldo
Programs: International Relations, Public Policy Management & Planning