Profile of USC’s next president

C. L. ‘Max’ Nikias University of Southern California’s next president: Born: Sept. 30, 1952, in Komi Kebir, Cyprus. Became U.S. citizen in 1988. Education: Bachelor’s degree, electrical and mechanical engineering, National Technical University of Athens,1977; M.S., 1980, and Ph.D, 1982, both in electrical engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo. Career: Professor at University of Connecticut, 1982-85; Northeastern University 1985-91; USC, starting in 1991; USC engineering school dean, 2001-2005. USC Provost 2005- 2010. Other highlights: Technical consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense. Teaches an orientation-week seminar to incoming USC freshmen on democracy and dramatic arts in ancient Athens. Family: Married 33 years to Niki Nikias. Two daughters, Georgiana and Maria, both USC students. Source: USC