Student News

Afghan-American Aseel Is ‘Torn Between Two Cultures’
Maryam Qudrat Aseel, a Ph.D. candidate in the College’s School of Philosophy, has lived a hyphenated life as an Afghan-American woman. Her recently released book “Torn Between Two Cultures” describes her upbringing in America as a woman in a modern Afghan family with traditional values. Through her own voice, she explores how those values and her own desire to be “American” came into conflict and led to an identity crisis that was only resolved as she rediscovered her cultural roots. Today, Aseel is an activist and spokesperson in Afghan-American Muslim communities, having founded the Afghan Institute for Development, an organization dedicated to reaching out to Afghan people and promoting understanding among youth. She has produced a series of shows for the Islamic Information Service and currently hosts her own show, “Bridge to the Future,” on an Afghan radio station.

Students Victorious in Mock Trial
In April, USC College’s Mock Trial Team traveled to Richmond, Ky., to compete in the American Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA). The team won a second-place trophy in the Sara Combs Division and the Spirit of AMTA Award, which is presented to the team that most embodies the commitment to “civility, fair play and justice” that true trial advocacy requires. In addition, one of the team’s members, Jami Grenham, won a Best Witness Award and participated in the All-American Honors Trial. The regional tournament director has confirmed that USC’s team may continue to host the regional tournament for as long as it desires.

Zwagerman Moves to the Head of the Class
Sean Zwagerman, who expects to graduate in fall 2003, has accepted a teaching position at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. Zwagerman, whose areas of expertise are composition and American literature, will be assistant professor of writing and rhetoric.

Geography Students Meet With California Geographical Society
USC was well represented by its geography students at the California Geographical Society (CGS) meeting held in April. Undergraduates Mike Agrimis, Scott Anderson, Mike Godfrey, Lauren Arkin and Mike Bell, and recent graduates Samuel Krueger, Thomas Sigler and Niomi Winslow all made presentations, with Krueger winning $100 in the undergraduate paper competition. Several students were invited to repeat their CGS presentations at a special meeting of the Los Angeles Geographic Society (LAGS) later that month. Recent graduate Julienne Gard also participated in the LAGS event. Geography professor Steven Koletty was instrumental in motivating these students to such lofty levels.