By Matthew Kredell
Kurt Taillon glanced skeptically yet hopeful at the online results for a career assessment test taken his junior year of high school. He was interested in finding a direction for study in college, but could a survey of basic questions really determine what he should do with his life?
The top result of “national park forest ranger” had him ready to dismiss the report, then he saw the second recommendation and it intrigued him: city planner. He had never heard of the profession, but he clicked the link and immediately knew it was the path for him.
Taillon took a big step toward his chosen career May 16 by serving as valedictorian at commencement for the USC Price School of Public Policy. He received a bachelor’s degree in policy, planning and development with a concentration in sustainable urban planning and a minor in construction management.
“I liked that it involved so many different fields – such as economics, politics, transportation, sociology and the environment – and having the ability to shape the growth and direct the pace of change for urban areas,” Taillon said of why city planning appealed to him. “The fact that it was multidisciplinary and involved planning for the future was a perfect fit for where I was looking to put my efforts.”
His experience at USC Price is far from over. Taillon is currently in USC Price’s progressive degree program, and is on pace to complete his Master of Planning next year.
“It speaks well to his academic abilities, to pull off valedictorian with a full class load and a couple of master’s degree classes,” said Price Assistant Professor Michael Thom, who taught Taillon in his class on government and business, and will be leading a course that Taillon will take this summer involving fieldwork in Detroit. Taillon will also participate in an upcoming international lab to Hong Kong.
As valedictorian, he carried in the USC Price School banner to open commencement and addressed his fellow graduates with a five-minute speech that encouraged them to take risks.
Taillon took a risk when he decided to leave his family and friends in Arlington Heights, Ill., to go across the country and attend USC. After the assessment gave him the idea to be a city planner, Taillon looked up the best universities in that field and saw USC Price among them.
“I came out here for a campus tour and everyone was so supportive and friendly, not to mention the great weather,” Taillon said. “From that point on, no one could sway me.”
He returned the favor by serving as a Price Student Ambassador, telling prospective students about his decision to come to Price and showing them all the school has to offer.
Thom became a mentor to Taillon after having him in class in the fall of 2012. They occasionally have lunch together, and Taillon asked Thom to review his commencement speech.
Recently, Thom sought out Taillon’s advice when wondering if there would be enough student interest for a course that involved going to Detroit to aid in the city’s turnaround.
“Kurt was one of the first and most enthusiastic supporters of the idea,” Thom said.
Another class Taillon particularly enjoyed was a master’s level course taught by Bill Fulton, USC Price professor and the City of San Diego’s planning director. In that class, students went to the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego to develop plans for improving the urban landscape in the area.
“It was only a three-block study area, but it was interesting to realize how many different factors, from transportation needs to urban design, go into constructing any sort of plan,” Taillon said.
Thom described Taillon as a student who was usually quiet in class, but funny and insightful on the few occasions he did speak up.
He showed that sense of humor by not telling his parents, Paul and Donna, about being valedictorian. He wanted them to be surprised when they made the trip from Illinois for commencement and saw him come out on stage to give his speech.
To earn valedictorian, Taillon finished with the highest academic rank at the school, with a 3.94 grade point average.
“It is a pleasure to recognize Kurt for all of his hard work and his commitment to excellence in the classroom,” said Professor LaVonna Lewis, director of undergraduate programs at Price. “He represents us well academically and professionally, and we look forward to watching the contributions he will make to the planning field.”