branch of the military. USC was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program, which offered students a path to a Navy commission. After the war ended, enrollment of veterans under the G.I. Bill soared to 24,000 by 1947, straining USC's facilities and resources.
In 1950, Founder's Hall (now Taper Hall of Humanities) was constructed, becoming the first new classroom space in a decade. University Avenue was closed to through traffic. In 1958, Norman Topping became president, and initiated a campaign for capital construction to support USC's burgeoning population. Under the assistance of architect William Pereira, USC constructed 99 buildings between 1961 and 1979. The university hosted some Olympics activities in 1984, and in 1990, Steven Sample became president of the university.
=== Origin of USC's mascot ===
USC students and athletes are known as Trojans, epitomized by the Trojan Shrine, nicknamed "Tommy Trojan", near the center of campus. Until 1912, …
