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Norwood Reads!
I read with great interest the recent article in the USC Trojan Family Magazine regarding Norwood Elementary School. I congratulate the teachers, faculty, parents and students of your school for setting high standards and working hard to achieve academic excellence. I commend you for believing that “failure is not an option” for our children.
Your school has done an exceptional job of creating partnerships with the community for educational success. From ESL classes with neighborhood parents to tutoring programs with USC students, Norwood Ele-mentary is a shining ex-ample of a school working hand-in-hand with the community for the benefit of the students.
Congratulations once again on the progress that you are making at Norwood. I wish you the best of luck as you continue to educate our children and make Los Angeles a better place for us all.
Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Speaker of theCalifornia State Assembly
Sacramento, CA
The above letter was written to Rita Flynn, principal of Norwood Street Elementary School, who shared it with us.
Over the past years, my sister, Rita Flynn, in a rather diffident way, has mentioned to me and other family members some of her work at the Norwood Street Elementary School. Your wonderful story, “Norwood Reads” [Autumn 1998], was a revelation to all of us. Thank you for your editorial work, and congratulations to USC and the Norwood Street School.
As a USC graduate myself (Commerce ’57), I have become somewhat aware of USC’s contributions to the city, and partnerships in the nearby community, through earlier stories in USC Trojan Family Magazine. All these activities enrich Los Angeles, and the entire nation, with love of neighbor and are ex-tremely important and exemplary.
In these difficult, changing times, the dedication of all those in-volved sharpens the perception of cosmopolitan life in Los Angeles, and the unique breadth and impact of what USC is doing. Stories like this bring us all closer to-gether, excite admiration and raise the human spirit. They are another reason why alumni can appreciate our great USC heritage.
Patrick F. Flynn ’57
Yorba Linda, CA
Greeks
In the Autumn 1998 issue of USC Trojan Family Magazine, you published an article entitled “Greeks Make Strides” by Melissa Payton.
As a member of the Greek community, I am extremely pleased with the progress that we have made in recent years. I have served as vice president of scholarship in Interfraternity Council, and now I am serving as the president of my own house, Tau Kappa Epsilon. During my tenure in those positions I have encountered some fantastic scholars and student leaders. From these experiences and my personal involvement on the Row, I have had first- hand experience with Greeks. For these reasons, I am pleased that our successes have been recognized in your article.
While I am generally very pleased with Ms. Payton’s article I feel that it focused on USC’s Minimum Standards policy too much. Specifically, the second section begins with a statement by Michael L. Jackson which reads, “The Greeks’ academic progress is a clear result of President Steven B. Sample’s USC Minimum Standards policy.” The article continues to describe how this Minimum Standards policy functions in the Greek system, and it even mentions some of the wonderful statistics about philanthropy and community service. However, I feel that the focus of this article should be on exactly how the Greek system accomplished this “hat trick,” and not as much on the university policies.
While the Minimum Standards policy pressures houses to work towards set standards, it is the house members themselves who bring about the change in grades and scholarship programs. Without the cooperation of house members and their leadership, it would be quite difficult to see any progress over time. Moreover, I believe that the Greek system is recruiting some of the best USC students. For example, more than half of the Order of the Laurel and Palm members last year were Greek. Student body presidents, members of Mortar Board and Skull and Dagger, and countless other leaders are often Greek.
Many houses on the Row, both fraternities and sororities, have achieved a house GPA over 3.10. I will not pontificate about the members in my house and their fine accomplishments, but I will not hesitate to say that my house is one of many who achieve academically, socially and philanthropically. Also, IFC and PanHellenic Councils deserve some recognition for their continuing efforts to improve the Greek system. Finally, I believe that the Office of Greek Life and Ken Taylor deserve to be thanked and commended for their enduring faith in the Greek system and their boundless energy. Without enduring guidance from Greek Life and senior members of each house, the accomplishments you wrote about could never be realized.
I wanted to give you some perspective about the behind-the-scenes work that happens on the Row and some other potential reasons why Greeks have achieved to the extent that they have. It is time for the Greeks of USC to demonstrate that they excel in ways which are often overlooked, and for them to be subsequently recognized for their positive deeds.
Jeffrey Hall President, TKE
Campus
The writer is a senior English Literature major at USC.
Football Fan
I thoroughly enjoyed my copy of the autumn issue of USC Trojan Family Magazine. The pull-out schedule and bio on our new coach Paul Hackett was great.
I do have a request to make. For the great many alumni far from the L.A. area, we would like to see you do the same with the 1998 roster of our football team members: Name, Jersey Number, Position Played, Height, Weight.
Please!!!
One of your many Northern California alumni....
Robert L. Frank DDS ’52
Vallejo, CA
We have passed your request on to the Athletic Department for next year’s fall football supplement.
My Favorite Professors
I entered USC in 1951, seeking my Ph.D. in French, which I received in 1956. I had already received my A.B. from the University of Chicago and my M.A. from UCLA. I had been teaching in a Los Angeles senior high school for eight years and I wanted to teach at the college level – which I did, after receiving my degree, for 29 years.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind as to who was my favorite professor: Arthur J. Knodel, professor of French.
Dr. Knodel was my professor in four courses: two in Non-dramatic French Literature of the 18th Century, one in Research in French Literature, and one in Research Methods in French Studies. He presented superlative lectures in these courses, encouraged fruitful discussions for the students, and encouraged our further reading. He effectively chose the most important qualities of writers and movements that he discussed. His lectures on Diderot and Montesquieu were especially stimulating and thought-provoking.
Dr. Knodel was also active in the affairs of the French honorary society and I recall his arranging and presiding over its functions – particularly in various restaurants where we had our meetings.
I also remember that without Dr. Knodel’s help, I would have found it much more difficult to finish my doctoral dissertation on “Political Ideas in the Plays of Romain Rolland.” He aided me above all in organizing entire sections and in establishing smoother transition between the various parts. He did all this work, although he wasn’t actually the chairman of my guidance committee.
I also recall that during my final oral examination, Dr. Knodel was particularly generous in asking me a number of questions that he must have known were of interest to me, thus giving me an opportunity to express myself more clearly. He also asked other questions dealing with my work as a teacher.
I believe that Arthur J. Knodel must be retired now, but I often think of him as one who directly and conscientiously contributed to my accomplishments at USC.
Jack D. Hess, Ph.D. ’56
Oceanside, CA
Although movies are often equated with magic, Professor Irwin Blacker of the cinema department had the uncanny ability to take the magic out of screenwriting. He often said a movie is nothing more than 24 scenes (that number is probably closer to 48 today). This solid blueprint allowed many of us to turn out well-crafted stories.
Professor Blacker was equally blunt about the realities of working in Holly-wood. His refreshing candor continues to inspire me as I complete script after script.
Bob Kronemyer ’76
Elkhart, IN
Trojan Memories
I spent three years in the Navy and by the time I got out, my parents had moved from Ohio to Riverside, Calif. My first Christmas in California was in Riverside. I have never seen such a sight as the many-colored lights sparkling amidst a long row of palm trees. I thought, “Without the lights this must have been similar terrain to that of the first Christmas.”
S-o-o-o-o...
Green Christmas
I’m dreaming of a green Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the palm trees quiver
And folks don’t shiver
In cars, stranded in the snow.
I’m dreaming of a green Christmas
Each time a snow storm hits the scene
May your roads be ice-less and clean
And may all your Christmases be green.
Feliz Navidad!
Denny J. Brake ’52
Raleigh, NC
I appreciate every issue of USC Trojan Family Magazine, and always scan Alumni News. Since I, Evelyn Thompson, graduated in 1928, I note few deaths among my contemporaries.
As the Autumn issue came, my brother, Dr. Adrian Orr Hubbell, had just died, August 8, 1998. He was the youngest of the three Hubbell children, and I was eight years older than he. His graduation from USC School of Dentistry was 1937. We had all aspired to a college education; but our parents were young, in small businesses, and could give very little financial help. We all worked and saved for college, our eyes on USC.
I want to express my appreciation for the university, what it did for us, and still counts us worthy. We counted it a miracle when we received good scholarship aid.
In 1925 I married the late Joseph H. Thompson, and we entered USC as second-year students, together. In the ’20s USC was still under the Methodist Episcopal Church trusteeship, and my young husband was pre-theological. I was his wife, so was also aided by our church. Thirdly, each of us had been valedictorian graduates at our separate high schools: top grades helped!
When my brother was ready for USC, he continued to work at various jobs and shared an apartment with his life-long friend, Dr. Mark Brown, also in Dentistry. He was given a scholarship through the university and borrowed a bit from the Methodist Student Loan Fund – which I remember him repaying several times over! Finally he became a Fellow of Oral Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., from 1937 to 1940. While there he met Alice Johnson from Hatton, N.D., a graduate of Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester. She became his beloved wife and helpmate from 1940 until her death in 1991.
Adrian’s whole professional life was in Long Beach, where he soon had his own clinic, working for 40 years. He is known for his pioneering work in the field of intravenous general anesthesia. There were five daughters, two of whom are USC graduates, and married graduates.
In 1980, after retirement, the couple moved to Ukiah. Both served as volunteers for Mendocino Hospital, and as hospital chaplains. After Alice’s death Adrian moved to the Eskaton Village Retirement community in Carmichael, where he had many fast and loving friends. He was 85 years old on June 12.
It is out of gratitude for continuing connections with USC that I send a very modest gift of money each year. As President Sample’s page said, “You don’t have to be a ‘zillionaire’ to be a philanthropist.” And a phone call from a current student on the campus each year, friendly and grateful, is such a joy to this transplanted widow from California.
Evelyn Hubbell Thompson ’28
Albert Lea, MN
Notice Board
The LA West Trojan Club invites all USC fans to our Giant Pep Rally at the Marina Courtyard Marriott in Marina Del Rey, Nov. 27, the evening before the USC-Notre Dame football game. The band, song and yell leaders will be present, and there will be a special guest appearance by Traveler. A $12 admission goes to benefit the USC Athletics Department and the Trojan Marching Band, and all attendees will receive a Rally badge to wear to the game.
The Marina Courtyard Marriott is offering a special room rate of $89 for USC supporters. Phone the hotel at (800) 321-2211 for reservations and mention “USC Rally.” For more information, call rally chairman Curt Baer at (310) 454-8388.
Curt Baer ’55
Santa Monica, CA
I am conducting research for a history of the USC Cinema School and would appreciate hearing from any students or faculty who could share memories or materials with me – especially from the early days of cinema study at USC (1929 and on). Contact Pro-fessor Dana Polan, Critical Studies, USC School of Cinema, 405 George Lucas Blvd., USC 90089-2211; (213) 740-3329; e-mail: dpolan@cntv.usc.edu.
Dana Polan
School of Cinema-Television
CAMPUS
The National Theater Institute is planning a reunion! If you were at NTI, please mail, e-mail, write or phone: National Theater Institute, 305 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT 06385; (860) 443-7139; e-mail: dbjaf@conncoll.edu.
Jessica Cerullo
NTI Director of Alumni Relations
Waterford, CT
As part of the USC History Project, the Alumni Association encourages alumni and friends of the university to donate their USC “archives” back to the university. We are particularly looking for photos, sketches, layouts, etc., of Widney Alumni House. It is our goal to display some of the more interesting items in the Alumni House on a permanent basis.
If you have any materials (such as yearbooks, programs, pictures) that you would like to donate, please contact Margaret Doss at (213) 740-2300.
Gerald S. Papazian ’77
USC Alumni Association
CAMPUS
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