Skip to content

Commencement

Price Graduating Student Awards

Dean’s Senior Merit Award 

Awarded to graduating seniors who have maintained an overall grade point average of 3.5 or above.

Dean’s Certificate of Merit

In recognition of excellence in academics. 

John Randolph and Dora Haynes Foundation Recognition Award for Outstanding Performance

Recognizes one MPA student team for their outstanding capstone project. Selection is made by the MPA Degree Committee.

Dr. Shui Yan Tang Award for Aspiring Local Government Professionals

Awarded to a graduating MPA student who best demonstrates the commitment, enthusiasm, and spirit of service to local government exemplified by Dr. Shui Yan Tang.

Jane G. Pisano Award

Awarded to an outstanding graduating MPP student in recognition of excellence in community service while pursuing the MPP degree. The selection is made by the Master of Public Policy program. 

Robert P. Biller Award for Excellence in the Practicum

Awarded to the most outstanding MPP Practicum group to recognize excellence in professional practice through a client project. The selection is made by the MPP Biller Judging Panel, comprised of MPP faculty members.

MPP Course Assistant of the Year

Outstanding Course Assistant for MPP Courses.

Lowdon Wingo Prize

Awarded to a graduating Planning student for exemplary academic achievement.

AICP Award

Awarded to an MUP student for superior achievements in the study of planning.

Gordon Whitnall Award

Recognizes superior academic achievement in the study of planning.

Academic Achievement and Promise and Meritorious Achievement Awards

Awarded to a graduating MUP student in recognition of meritorious achievement in the USC Price MUP program. Selection is made by the MUP Degree Committee.

Lewis Mumford Prize

Named after the urbanist and planner who advocated historical investigation as a step toward understanding regional systems and the particularities of place. Awarded to an undergraduate or a graduate student in Planning for the most outstanding essay in Planning History.

Dollinger MRED Comprehensive Examination Prize for Outstanding Achievement

Recognizes individuals who have earned honors on the Dollinger MRED Comprehensive Examination. This award is in memory of Professor Rena Sivitanidou. Selection is made by the Dollinger MRED Degree Committee.

Dollinger MRED Program Distinction Award in Memory of Professor Rena Sivitanidou

In memory of Professor Rena Sivitanidou, this award is made for exemplary performance in Market Analysis.  Selection is made by the Dollinger MRED Degree Committee.

D J Moore Memorial Award

Recognizes an MRED student’s academic achievement and professional promise. Selection is made by the Dollinger MRED Degree Committee.

Joyce Mann Global Leadership Award

The Joyce Mann Global Leadership Award recognizes two aspiring global leaders and professional students from the IPPAM program.

Outstanding DPPD Dissertation Award

Given to the graduating DPPD student who has produced the best project.

USC Steven and Kathryn Sample Renaissance Scholars

The Renaissance Scholar distinction is intended to recognize and celebrate USC undergraduates who have excelled academically while pursuing at least two widely separate fields of study.

John Dyckman Dissertation Award

Given to the graduating doctoral candidate in Planning who has produced the best dissertation.

Henry Reining, Jr. Dissertation Award

Given to the graduating doctoral student in public administration who has produced the best dissertation.

Etzioni Bianchi Community Service Award

Awarded to a graduating senior in recognition of outstanding community service.

Emery E. Olson Award

Awarded to a graduating senior in recognition of excellence in scholarship and leadership potential.

USC Global Scholars

The Global Scholar distinction recognizes graduating seniors who have excelled in their studies both at USC and abroad. 

USC Discovery Scholars

The Discovery Scholar distinction is intended to recognize and celebrate graduating seniors who have excelled academically while making a meaningful contribution to their field of study through exceptional new scholarship or artistic work.

Master of Health Administration Outstanding Student Awards

Awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional promise in the areas of service, commitment, leadership, and advocacy.