The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology is housed in the Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center. The Neo-Formalist building was designed by renowned architect Edward Durell Stone and was dedicated in 1973. The building’s three stories and basement include wet laboratories, classrooms and office spaces. The center’s exterior is surrounded by brick archways and features a central courtyard with a fountain. The Andrus Center’s namesake is the celebrated educator and advocate for older adults Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus.
Photo above: Film scans of the building while under construction in 1973
The Andrus Gerontology Center
The first woman in California to lead a secondary school as principal, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus (1884-1967) advocated for retired educators struggling to survive on meager pensions. In 1947, she founded the National Retired Teachers Association to provide low-cost insurance programs for former educators. Thousands of non-teachers asked Dr. Andrus to advocate for them as well, and in response, she and Leonard Davis founded the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in 1958.
Construction of the Andrus Gerontology Center was largely funded through donations made in Andrus’ memory by more than 400,000 individual AARP members. That early spirit of collaboration forms the foundation of our building and remains evident throughout our classrooms and laboratories today.
The Sophie Davis Art Gallery
The Sophie Davis Art Gallery was established in 2013 by a generous donation from Alan Davis, son of USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology benefactors Leonard and Sophie Davis. Since its inception, the Sophie Davis Art Gallery has provided the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology a venue in which to celebrate older artists and explore topics related to aging across the life course through the lens of creativity. Located between the lobby and auditorium, it has housed rotating exhibits featuring paintings, works on paper, photography, and mixed media.
Facilities at the School
The facilities of the USC Leonard Davis School support our research, education and service activities and bring our community together. The School is home to several laboratories, classrooms and meeting spaces, the Sophie Davis Art Gallery and more.
Discover our Gerontology Programs
Explore our gerontology programs, or contact us to learn more about the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
