The University of Southern California has announced an endowment gift of $6 million from real estate investor Amy King Dundon-Berchtold for the USC University Club at King Stoops Hall, located in the historic library building named for her parents, Joyce King Stoops and Emery Stoops.

Built as a Los Angeles Public Library branch in 1923 and known as the University Branch Library, the building served as the main library for USC students until 1932. Today, the University Club is a members-only restaurant and venue for intellectual, cultural, and social interactions among USC faculty and staff.

The gift from Dundon-Berchtold continues her family's long history of giving to USC, which includes support for student scholarships, the education library, and an endowed chair for the head of the USC Rossier School of Education. Dundon-Berchtold's mother, Joyce King Stoops, became a professor at USC Rossier and later its assistant dean for student life. Inspired by her mother's side investments in rental properties, Dundon-Berchtold, who graduated from USC Rossier and earned an MBA at UC Irvine, began selling houses and eventually went into business as a real estate investor. In recognition of the gift, the club will be renamed the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club at King Stoops Hall. 

"The Trojan Family is grateful to Amy Dundon-Berchtold for her generosity to our university and one of its key gathering places," said USC provost Michael Quick. "Her support adds a new chapter to the legacy of support left by Joyce King Stoops and Emery Stoops. Having her name alongside theirs on the USC Dundon-Berchtold University Club in King Stoops Hall is a worthy tribute to their leadership and commitment to the university."