University of Southern California: An Undergraduate's Guide

As the primary 24-hour study hub for undergraduates, the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Library is a bustling epicenter of academic endurance at the University of Southern California. Flanked by an entrance pavilion featuring a serene reflection pool and an outdoor terrace, the four-story brick and concrete building offers a technologically advanced learning environment. Inside, it is a highly functional maze of collaborative workspaces, multimedia viewing rooms, and sprawling computer labs. Whether it is mid-afternoon or three in the morning, Leavey constantly hums with the collective energy of students typing research papers, cramming for exams, and fueling up on caffeine.

Distinguished by its soaring, stylized globe tower—one of the most recognizable landmarks on the University Park Campus—the Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Center for International and Public Affairs is a bustling academic hub. Characterized by lean modernist arches, classic brickwork, and crisp white trim, the building houses disciplines ranging from international relations to anthropology. Beneath the towering globe, the complex features a sprawling open-air plaza adorned with dozens of colorful international flags, each representing the home countries of the university's diverse global student body.

Standing as the intellectual and visual centerpiece of the University Park Campus, the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library is a majestic Italian Romanesque structure that defines the eastern edge of the central quadrangle. Inside, the library feels more like a palatial estate than a standard study hall. Its crown jewel is the Los Angeles Times Reference Room, a breathtaking space adorned with a hand-painted coffered ceiling by artist Giovanni Smeraldi, towering rows of antique books, and an atmosphere of grand, reverent scholarship.

Encompassing a picturesque one-square block in the heart of the University Park Campus, Alumni Park is a sprawling, lush expanse of grass bordered by historic landmarks like Doheny Memorial Library and Bovard Auditorium. At its center stands the Neoclassical 'Youth Triumphant' fountain, featuring a beautiful bronze dancing figure resting upon four cast concrete caryatids. Shaded by majestic trees and illuminated by vintage lampposts, the grand lawn serves as USC's tranquil communal backyard. It is an idyllic setting where students lounge on blankets between classes, read in the California sunshine, and congregate for major campus events, transforming the picturesque green space into the vibrant, beating heart of university life.

Serving as both the university's administrative headquarters and its premier performance venue, Bovard Auditorium is a majestic Italian Romanesque Revival brick building that commands attention along Trousdale Parkway. The 1,235-seat theater features a soaring Neo-Gothic interior, plush seating, and beautifully restored frosted-glass windows. As one of the oldest operating stage facilities in Los Angeles, its cavernous hall hums with energy during everything from symphony performances and high-profile guest lectures to student comedy shows.

Commanding attention in the bustling center of Hahn Plaza, Tommy Trojan—officially named the Trojan Shrine—is the ultimate symbol of university pride and the most photographed spot on the University of Southern California campus. This imposing, life-sized bronze warrior stands flexing his muscles on a stone pedestal, looking out over the daily parade of students, faculty, and visitors traversing Trousdale Parkway. The base of the monument is inscribed with the five attributes of the ideal Trojan: Faithful, Scholarly, Skillful, Courageous, and Ambitious. As the university's unofficial mascot, Tommy serves as a primary meeting ground and the undeniable heart of student life.