About Us

The Club

Welcome to the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club of USC. The Club calls King Stoops Hall home. Formally a Los Angeles Public Library, King Stoops Hall was extensively remodeled in 2012 as the new home for the University Club. Through a generous gift from Amy King Dundon-Berchtold in 2016, the Club was renamed and will continue as a pillar in the USC community for fine dining and community building.

The club’s impressive building and grounds offer members and their guests convenient settings for formal and informal dining, meetings, casual get-togethers or private parties.

Apply Today
  • History of the Club

    1928 – The Origin

    The origin of the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club at USC, previously named the Faculty Center, dates back to 1928 when the Men’s Faculty Club was established. The creation of the Women’s Faculty Club soon followed, and in the late 1940s the two groups merged to become “The Faculty Club.” The “clubhouse” was located on the fourth floor of the Student Union Building and was furnished with a pool table, some old furniture and “one very comfortable chair.”
  • History of the Club

    1950’s – President Topping

    When Norman Topping became president of USC in the late 1950s, he approached the University Senate (now the Academic Senate) about what was of utmost importance to the faculty. The Senate made it clear their highest priority was to have a facility “where the faculty and staff could socialize and exchange ideas.” Although there was no budget for the construction of new buildings, Dr. Topping was able to convince the Board of Trustees to fund the construction of a new Faculty Center, designed by the esteemed architect and USC Alum A. Quincy Jones. The striking, light-filled contemporary structure was completed in 1961.
  • History of the Club

    2012 – A New Home at King Stoops Hall

    Over the years, the USC University Club underwent a number of renovations and expansions to meet the growing membership. In 2012, the University Club moved from a mid-century modern facility to the historic brick-faced King Stoops Hall, a former Los Angeles Public Library. The move provided the club with a more central location on campus and a distinguished setting for the exchange of ideas between colleagues and friends.
  • History of the Club

    2016 – Naming Gift: Amy King Dundon-Berchtold

    On November 3, 2016, the University Club received $6 million toward the endowment of the USC University Club at King Stoops Hall from real estate investor Amy King Dundon-Berchtold ’72. In recognition of the gift, the club, which is located within the historic library building named for her late mother, Joyce King Stoops EdD ’66 and late stepfather, Emery Stoops PhD ’41, was renamed to the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club at USC in King Stoops Hall.
  • History of the Club

    Today

    Today, the membership has grown to 1,700 plus and the club remains committed to its original mission to provide good food at affordable prices, while continuing to reign as an important campus venue that promotes intellectual, cultural and social interaction among USC faculty and staff.

Vision and Mission

Vision

The Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club of USC aspires to cultivate relationships across the diverse university community in a uniquely warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Mission

By providing the highest level of food and hospitality, The Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club of USC connects faculty, staff and guests in an atmosphere that encourages intellectual, cultural and social exchange.

The Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club of USC is the premier members’ only club and restaurant on the University Park Campus. Our facilities include a full-service restaurant, seven banquet and meeting rooms of varying sizes and al fresco dining on the patio.

What started some 50 years ago as the “Faculty Center” has now become the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club of USC.

We have over 1,700 members including USC faculty, trustees, staff, researchers, post-doc students, USC Associates and Affiliates. Over the years, we have grown into the kind of private university club that offers the best in food, service and amenities to its members in the aim of enhancing university life.

We also sponsor special members’ programs that facilitate the meeting of like-minded individuals both between and within disciplines among the College and professional schools of USC. As a member, enjoy events such as: an informal University Club-wide luncheon networking program, Club-sponsored interdisciplinary panel discussions, access to the Staff and Faculty Recognition Program, membership mixers, special dining events, Spring Musical event, and many other member events.

Visiting the Club

Dress Code

We hope to make the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club of USC an extension of your office, classroom and home, a community clubhouse of sorts. A dress code helps sets the standard of our environment that is both congenial and professional. Please note that our Main Dining Room adheres to a Business Casual dress code, for members and their guests.

Refrain from athletic gear, flip flops, caps, torn denim and shorts. On Game Days, we welcome spirit wear!

Make a Reservation

Sign up for exclusive events and promotions