The Jimmy Gauntt Memorial Award

The award is designed to recognize outstanding graduating seniors who have majored in English at USC and demonstrated an interest in the arts.  It was founded in 2009 by Professor David Román, a Professor in the Departments of English and American Studies & Ethnicity, in honor of his former student, Jimmy Gauntt, who majored in English and died tragically in 2008.   Please consider making a donation in support of USC’s multi-talented English majors.

News & Announcements

THE 2015 JIMMY GAUNTT MEMORIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

by Casey Gauntt 2015 Recipients

Congratulations to the 2015 recipients of the Jimmy Gauntt Memorial Award and their nominating Professors. Professor Dana Johnson                 Jack Foraker Professor Bruce Smith                     James August Luhrs Professor Michelle Gordon             Carrie Moore […]

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The 2018 Jimmy Gauntt Memorial Award Recipients

by Casey Gauntt 2018 Recipients

Pictured L to R:  Brandon -Ali Smith, Matt Eighmy, Alfredo Arevalo, Vanessa Batyko, Emma Dyson, Ossy Chandiyana and Samantha Dilley  [Photo by  Steve Cohn (c) 2018] On Sunday evening April 29, the six 2018 recipients of the Jimmy Gauntt Memorial Award, aka the “Jimmy,” were introduced by their nominating professors and celebrated at the Ostrich […]

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Constance Chan

by Casey Gauntt 2017 Recipients

 I was born to a family of immigrants and engineers in Los Angeles. When I was six, I began writing poetry. My mother used to get my rhymes bound at the FedEx down the street, and I would spend my free time illustrating the pages. I don’t know what prompted my family to support my […]

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Cody Kaneshiro

by Casey Gauntt 2017 Recipients

More than any other academic discipline or interest, stories have always been an integral part of my life. Having been born and raised in Hawaii, I was more than just the only child for the first six formative years of my life—I was the only real child in my entire family, having no close siblings, […]

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Hakop Ter-Akopyan

by Casey Gauntt 2017 Recipients

As a first-generation college student and a child of Armenian immigrants, I see education as the key to achieving the American Dream. My parent’s stories of life under the authoritarian rule of the Soviet Union sparked my interest to learn more about the laws that make America’s democracy unique. So, I decided to major in […]

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Henry Cilek

by Casey Gauntt 2017 Recipients

Some of my friends call me Hank, which I don’t mind because it seems to have a ring to it consistent with my Midwest roots. Originally, I am from New York City. But I consider myself a native Iowan more than anything. I also spent several teenage years in Florida where I played tennis competitively […]

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Mercy Sherman

by Casey Gauntt 2017 Recipients

By the end of my first week as a Business Administration major, I knew I’d made a mistake. Seven days later, I walked out of one of the many brick buildings that line Trousdale Parkway, equipped with a new major and a renewed sense of hope for the four years ahead of me at USC. […]

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The 2017 Jimmy Gauntt Award Recipients

by Casey Gauntt 2017 Recipients

L to R:  Hakop Ter-Akopyan, Mercy Sherman, Professor David Roman, Henry Cilek, Cody Kaneshio and Constance Chan.  Not in the picture; Matt Eighmy who was already in Spain teaching. L to R:  Hakop, Casey Gauntt (Jimmy’s Dad), Cody, Mercy, Professor Roman, Henry, Hilary Gauntt (Jimmy’s Mom),  Brittany Kirby (Jimmy’s sister), Constance and Ryan Kirby

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Kimmery Galindo

by Casey Gauntt 2013 Recipients

Where I Come From By Kimmery Galindo I come from a place where you can catch June bugs In the dark of a backyard with nothing but your pair of hands And the help of an older brother. I come from his Batman costumes with muscles built in From pancakes on Christmas and fried plantains […]

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Sean Fitz-Gerald

by Casey Gauntt 2013 Recipients

Growing up in a home with two classical pianists for parents makes it tough not to follow suit—at least initially. Much of my childhood was spent juggling soccer, piano and school. I was not extraordinary with regard to the first two disciplines, but I pursued them throughout my grade school and high school careers anyway. […]

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