Issue: Spring 2003

Mailbag

Artistic Gripe

I hate the post-modern artwork used on the cover of USC Trojan Family Magazine (Winter 2002). I suggest that you use quality photographs instead of the post-modern artwork. Follow another USC magazine called USC Engineer as a good example of a fine alumni magazine.

Tom Ferrier MS ’94
Chicago, Il


Choice Words for ‘Last Word’

You know, it’s possible someone might know, wish to know, or even recall what opera heroine dives to her death following a staged fake execution of her lover (“Librettist’s Curtain Call,” Autumn 2002), but has any human being ever really wondered about how one might be more, say, struthious (“Beastly Barbs,” Winter 2002)?

Joseph Dane
Professor, Department of English
Campus


The first few seemed so easy that I felt rather pavonine in regard to my vocabulary. However, about halfway through, I was reduced to feeling like my anserine self.

Dana L. Smith ’92
Bellevue, WA


Readers Dane and Smith are not alone. Look to the right for more than you may want to know about our “beastly barbs.”


Class Notes Conundrum

There is an old saying that “complacency gets you nowhere and discontent makes the world go around.”

You do an excellent job on “Alumni News” with the exception of “Class Notes.” What happened to all of us that were there from 1941 until 1950? Rarely do I see anyone mentioned. Yes, most of us went off to war, but there were many at my graduation ceremony. Whatever happened to them?

I have tried searching the Web, and only once was I able to locate a classmate. Have you any suggestions for the few of us that are left?

Charles A. Monnin Jr. ’44
Miami Lakes, FL

We sure do. We rely on members of the Trojan Family to send us news about themselves, and they do so in great numbers. So let’s hear from more of you who attended USC during the war years and after. For details about how to submit a class note, see page 58.


Note from Abroad

Greetings from Erbil, Iraq.

I finally received a copy of USC Trojan Family Magazine, in Erbil City in the northern part of Iraq. It took so long for your parcel to reach me because of the lengthy process mails meant for UN staff go through. Diplomatic mails for Iraq have to be cleared by UN security section in New York before they are sent to Amman, Jordan. They have to be cleared again by the security in Amman, then dispatched to Baghdad before they get to us in northern Iraq. I am glad it finally reached me; it is better late than never.

You cannot imagine my joy. I am so delighted. Your article was wonderful and has really made me famous (“Ready to Iraq and Roll,” Autumn 2002, p. 69). Because of the article, my former roommate at USC learnt that I am in Iraq and sent me an e-mail note, the first time I am hearing from him after over 12 years.

As of today (Nov. 12) everything is calm in Iraq despite the adoption of Security Council resolution 1441 (2002), with a strict timetable for Iraq to meet its obligations to disarm. We have been told that all UN international staff would be evacuated to Jordan as soon as the security situation deteriorates. The security situation is considered generally stable by our security experts.

Thank you again for the wonderful article on me. I am eternally grateful. It is really an honor. I am also proud to be part of the Trojan Family.

Seth Kumi MA ’92, PhD ’96
Erbil, Iraq


A Fan of USC Pigskin Fans

In the last few weeks, many major universities have played important rivals in football games all across the United States. Students attending these colleges have destroyed property such as goal posts, cars and other public property. These students have conducted their behavior in a manner unbecoming of youth representing these leading educational institutions. The more disruptive the behavior, the more the press coverage is given.

Yet, in the midst of these incidents, one university seemed to have two major wins within a week of each other without any disruptive behavior. Did anyone take notice and applaud these students for a job well done? Did anyone in the press single them out for conducting themselves as responsible representatives of their university?

Well, if no one is going to say anything, then as an alumna, I will! Congratulations to the students of the University of Southern California for a job well done!

Tula Stratos ’80
Rolling Hills Estate, CA


Notice Board

Now in its 54th year, Troy Camp stands as USC’s oldest, most active, and most diverse organization (see “Camp of Refuge,” Summer 2002, p. 59). Although entirely student-run and financed, the group has continued to operate a weeklong camp and yearlong programming for inner-city youth.

On Feb. 8, Troy Camp will be holding “A Bid for Friendship” – a formal charity auction dedicated to raising awareness, building relationships, and laying a further foundation to improve the lives of inner-city children. This event will consist of a live and silent auction, dinner and entertainment. We enthusiastically invite alumni to come take part in the evening. For more information, call (213) 740-5404, or e-mail us at <auction@troycamp.org>.

Mary Ann Yaghdjian ’03
Director of Public Relations,
USC Troy Camp
campus


Founded in 1904, Town & Gown is the oldest and one of the most active support groups at USC, distributing $1 million in scholarship funds each year.

As we plan for our 100th birthday celebration, I invite all Town & Gown members, past and present, to contribute memorabilia (or memories) of the organization for our tribute book and our historical archives at USC.

Please send materials to Claude Zachary at the University Archives (clearly marked for Town & Gown historical project). His address and other contact information is below. Thank you for your support of Town & Gown throughout the years.

Sally Edwards ’65
Centennial Celebration Chair
Los Angeles


I’d like to ask your assistance in preserving the heritage of our university. The USC University Archives is part of the Archival Research Center of the USC University Libraries. The Archives exist to collect, preserve and make available records having permanent value in documenting the history and growth of the University.

Gifts of papers, pictures, letters, programs, student publications, any item contributing to documentation of the history of USC, will be greatly appreciated and carefully preserved. Please contact me at (213) 743-2435 or <czachary@usc.edu>, or see (www.usc.edu/arc/libraries/uscarchives).

Claude Zachary
USC University Archivist
Campus



Correction

In the Winter 2002 “Class Notes,” we mis-identified Tonya Parrott PhD ’95. She is a professor of sociology and gerontology at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. We regret the error.