The inscription on the fountain reads:
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ESTABLISHED HERE JULY 29, 1879.
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE REPUBLIC
AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING
DEDICATED TO THE SEARCH FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF TRUTH
TO FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION
TO INTELLIGENT, UNBIASED ANALYSIS
OF THE FORCES THAT
HAVE SHAPED THE PAST AND WILL MOLD THE FUTURE
TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANHOOD AND
WOMANHOOD FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND FOR LOYAL CITIZENSHIP