When double USC Viterbi School of Engineering alum John L. West '70, MS '72 reflects on his life and career, one word comes up repeatedly: serendipity. He believes that because of USC, everything has come together for him—from his decades-spanning career at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena to his current reinvention as a film writer and producer. And for that he thanks his favorite high school teacher.
"I wasn't thinking about USC when I started applying to colleges, even though my father was a USC supporter and football fan and strongly advised me to do so," he recalls. "So I asked my favorite high school teacher for his advice and he said, 'I think you'll be much better served by going to USC, because of the Trojan network and the connections they'll provide you for the rest of your life.'"
In truth, West already knew the scope and reach of the Trojan network. After serving in World War II, his father, a University of Utah graduate, had turned to USC's placement office for career advice on a friend's recommendation. Unlike his Utah alma mater, which had declined to help, USC arranged interviews for West's father in recognition of his military service. These interviews eventually led to a job and a 40-year career at Farmers Insurance Group.
For West himself, serendipity first struck while speaking with his USC Viterbi School of Engineering advisor one day. The advisor's phone rang, and it was a JPL engineer who needed help researching solid rocket engines for a summer assignment. Did the advisor know anyone he'd recommend? After a short interview, West got his first job at JPL.
That's just one example of USC opening doors for West, sometimes in unexpected places. While living in London for a time after completing his master's in mechanical engineering at USC, he applied for a PhD fellowship in physics at Cambridge University. During his interview with the university's dean of physics, West mentioned that he was a USC Viterbi School graduate, and that sealed the deal: West was accepted.
Later, after deciding he preferred to work as an engineer, West got an interview at JPL through the same USC placement office that had helped his father. Interviewed by a former USC Viterbi classmate at JPL, West soon found himself fielding three job offers from the NASA-funded research and development lab. He accepted one and worked at JPL for 46 years.
"Look at all these connections," he says. "I don't think any of it would have happened if I'd not gone to USC."
In appreciation, West made USC a beneficiary of his JPL retirement plan, joined the Trojan Legacy Circle and created a legacy in three areas. His future gift will support his parents' chosen cause, the Center for Applied Molecular Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. His gift will also establish the USC John L. West Endowment Fund for Artificial Intelligence at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Finally, his gift will endow the USC John L. West Student Support Fund at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, which currently provides scholarship support for aspiring science fiction screenwriters.
Recipients of this scholarship may someday work with West, a lifelong science fiction fan and movie lover, who has launched a post-retirement career as a writer-producer and co-inventor of a new screenwriting tool, the AI Power Screenwriter. Through his company, JLW Worldwide Productions, West has already executive produced two films, his award-winning first film in the Mad Scientists franchise, and AI Maxima—featuring AI robots—currently in production.
In addition to filmmaking, West is currently working on two other projects that may provide work for USC students down the line. One is an engineering venture, H20, to develop tidal electrical energy. The other is a UF0-themed Airbnb in the Nevada desert near Area 51.
A dedicated runner who has completed eight marathons, West also made a naming gift to the Trojan Track and Field Invitational: the John L. West Men's 1500 m.
Indeed, thanks to his generous and wide-ranging support, West is undoubtedly creating serendipity for Trojans today and tomorrow.