Academic Honors and Fellowships
2005 Boren NSEP Scholarship Recipients
National Security Education Program (NSEP) seeks to enhance U.S. understanding of foreign cultures, strengthen our economic competitiveness, and ensure our national security by fully funding students to enter a study abroad program outside of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe with intent to learn a new language.
Derek Peters, International Relations
Derek will use his NSEP scholarship to study during his junior year at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. As an International Relations major, Derek will continue studies in this field during his academic year abroad as well as invest his time in studying and refining his Japanese language skills.
2005 Fulbright U.S. Student Program Grant Recipients
The Fulbright grant was established to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. While excellence in the field of study and a strong academic record are preconditions for this fellowship, candidates are also selected on the strength of their project, knowledge of the host country, and characteristics that may make them a good ambassador.
Wan Sonya Tang, B.A., Spanish, Communication
Upon completing her Bachelors degree, Wan will spend her Fulbright year researching the literature and public persona of Lucia Etxebarria, a contemporary Spanish author. Specifically, she intends to examine Etxebarria’s works in the current Spanish literary landscape and analyze them with regards to universal themes beyond a feminist reading. Wan’s passion for for the Spanish language is reflected in her activities at the University of Southern California. She has been a dedicated member of the Spanish Undergraduate Student Association, promoting cultural awareness of Spain and Latin America as well as fostering relations between faculty members and student in the Spanish department. This will be Wan’s second opportunity to study in Spain, having previously participated in the USC Madrid Summer Program.
2005 Luce Scholars
Luce Scholars Program offers a select group of fifteen scholars an experience in Asia designed to broaden their professional perspective and to sharpen their perception of Asia. Recipients, which include graduating seniors, graduate students, and young professionals, are selected nationally on the basis of their outstanding academic record and strong potential as leaders in their future careers.
Samuel A. Bazzi, B.A., Economics, International Relations
During his tenure at USC, Sam Bazzi has demonstrated a deep commitment to socioeconomic development and human rights. He most notably co-founded and directed the USC Students for Justice in Palestine, served as a Public Relations and Events Coordinator for Human Rights Watch at USC as well as Co-Founder and Chief Editor of the Perspectives Undergraduate Journal for the School of International Relations. In 2004, Sam dedicated time and service teaching English to the youth of Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon. Sam has been a stellar scholar at USC, well respected by his professors and peers. As a Luce Scholar, he plans to work in Indonesia with an organization involved in development issues.