Lost in thought. What would Amy King Dundon-Berchtold think of the club today? The Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club of USC stands as a testament to tradition. It also embodies the spirit of community. This is a place where fine dining meets intellectual exchange.
Once a Los Angeles Public Library, King Stoops Hall was reborn in 2012. It was transformed into the University Club’s new home. The move offered a more central campus location. It provided a distinguished setting.
In 2016, real estate investor Amy King Dundon-Berchtold gave a generous gift. It was a $6 million endowment. In recognition, the club was renamed the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club at USC. It honored her late mother and stepfather, Joyce King Stoops and Emery Stoops. Both were esteemed figures at USC.
The club’s origins trace back to 1928. It started with the Men’s Faculty Club. The Women’s Faculty Club followed. In the late 1940s, they merged. They became “The Faculty Club”. The original clubhouse was simple. It had a pool table and one comfortable chair.
In the late 1950s, USC President Norman Topping sought faculty input. The Senate wanted a place for faculty and staff to socialize. They wanted a place to exchange ideas. Despite budget constraints, Topping secured funding. A. Quincy Jones, a USC alum, designed the new Faculty Center. The contemporary structure was completed in 1961.
Over the years, the University Club expanded. Renovations accommodated its growing membership. Today, the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club boasts over 1,700 members. It offers formal and informal dining. There are meeting spaces and areas for casual gatherings.
Amy King Dundon-Berchtold had deep ties to USC. Her parents established scholarships and libraries. She continued this legacy. After she passed away in 2020, a multi-million-dollar legacy gift was announced. It supported the USC Rossier School of Education, the Keck School of Medicine, and the USC Caruso Catholic Center.
The Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club displays her family’s mementos. Photographs and books line the walls. It serves as a reminder of her commitment to USC. The club remains committed to its original mission. It provides good food at affordable prices. It fosters intellectual, cultural, and social interaction.
The club is more than just a building. It is a community hub. It is a place where tradition meets progress. It is a lasting tribute. It honors Amy King Dundon-Berchtold and her family’s legacy at USC. Consider joining the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club today. Taste the Tradition, Relish the Relationship.