Heliane Steden launched her life and career by coming to USC from her native Mexico, and now the three-time women's tennis All-American wants to give that gift back to the school and pay it forward to the next generation by endowing a scholarship in her name to be used primarily for an international player. The gift is the largest to the Trojan Athletic Department by a former USC student-athlete from the Title IX era, which enjoyed its 40th anniversary this year.Click here for the full story.
"When I came to the United States I left my country and my family and didn't know what to expect," said Steden. "I was all on my own. USC became my second home and I learned life lessons that helped shape me into the person I am today. Being a student-athlete at USC impacted my life in such a positive way and I was able to compete professionally because of what I learned at USC. I look back at my time at USC with great fondness and I now understand what it means to be a Trojan for life."
After leaving Troy, Steden enjoyed a successful five-year career on the professional tennis circuit including three USTA Singles titles and three Doubles crowns. She is currently a managing director at Merrill Lynch.
"Heliane's success not only on the courts but in the business world is a wonderful example to our young women of what it means to be a student-athlete here at USC," said USC women's tennis head coach Richard Gallien. "This gift is extraordinary in itself, but the fact that a dear friend and someone of Heliane's stature is behind it makes this extra special."
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