This year marks an extraordinary milestone: the 50th anniversary of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Since 1975, our school has led the way in shaping the field of aging, from pioneering the nation’s first PhD in gerontology and other groundbreaking degree programs to creating a research powerhouse spanning biology, neuroscience, sociology, policy and more.
As we celebrate this golden anniversary, we reflect on the vision of our namesake, Leonard Davis, and the dedicated leaders, faculty, students and supporters who turned a bold idea into a lasting reality. What began as the first-ever freestanding school of gerontology offering a single master’s program is now a global leader in aging research and education, dedicated to improving the well-being of people at every stage of life. Our alumni share our aging expertise in every arena, including health care, government, academia and industry — demonstrating the profound reach of the school’s impact.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to discovery and innovation. We are unlocking the foundational biological mechanisms of aging, developing predictive tools for Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions, and creating interventions to ensure longer, healthier lives. At the same time, our social science and policy experts are tackling the challenges of caregiving, health care policy and the needs of rapidly growing older populations.
None of these achievements would be possible without the support of our remarkable community. Your enthusiasm, generosity and partnership fuel our progress, enabling us to prepare the next generation of leaders and to drive breakthroughs that will benefit the world.
Together, as we honor 50 years of achievement, we also build the foundation for the next 50 and beyond — transforming the future of aging for individuals, families and societies everywhere.
With gratitude,
Pinchas Cohen, MD
Dean, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
