Mailbag
“What great photography Mark Berndt contributed to the Winter issue! The inauguration photography is terrific, the lead spread on the USC Rossier story is a good way of enlivening a static situation, and the portraits in the gerontology story are editorially relevant, imaginative, quirky and funny.” qUotEd ››
Fond Farewell It was with some sadness that I read of Susan Heitman’s retirement in the Winter 2010 edition (Editor’s Note, p. 4). As a former journalism student, and a Daily Trojan reporter with relatives in the journalism profession, I have some appreciation as to what constitutes a fine journalistic publication. Ms. Heitman has taken USC Trojan Family Magazine to the highest level of alumni magazines (my family and I receive and read a number of other such publications for comparison). She has consistently published interesting, informative and entertaining articles and features for her readers while always furthering the university’s mission to propagate knowledge and advance society, the magazine’s mission to inform the alumni about their alma mater and to hold them near. Susan Heitman will be missed and deservedly so. May her retirement be as rich and rewarding as the magazine, which she so ably headed. Harvey L. Zuckman ’56 ROCKVILLE, MD
I just read in last issue’s Editor’s Note that Susan Heitman was retiring after 28 years at the helm of the publication. Like our beloved university, the USC Trojan Family Magazine has continued to get better and better throughout Susan’s tenure. I look forward to every new issue. Please pass on my well wishes to Susan and a hearty “Job well done!” from an alum. Jim Hagen ’91 S I O U X FA LL S, S D
Upside of aging Your article on interdisciplinary gerontology (“Reaching Toward the Fountain of Youth,” Winter 2010, p. 36) was quite interesting, but it ended on a somewhat reductionist note, equating the hypothesized positive outlook of seniors with an ability to “ignore negative information.” It’s true that as we get older the challenges can become greater, with deterio-
[last word]
rating health and the loss of loved ones. Fortunately, aging also brings a greater perspective and increased equanimity in the face of adversity. We are increasingly able to see the bigger picture, the longer haul and to realize that “this, too, shall pass.” The heightened sense of well-being that can come with advancing age is – dare I say it – a function of wisdom, which is difficult to measure but real, nonetheless. I have two important questions for Caleb Finch: 1. Where is that beautiful pool where he is swimming in the photograph? 2. Does he still play the fiddle? Ron Hale, ME ’75 S A N TA F E , N M
Editor’s Note: The outdoor Shangri-La is at Finch’s home in Altadena, Calif., and, yes, Finch continues to play fiddle in the internationally
Clownin’ around
We wanted to start off the new year right. But here we are again, hanging our heads in shame for the error in clue 10. The “President’s Court Jester” ran for president in the 1868 election – not 1898. As several of our readers pointed out, Ulysses S. Grant was dead by 1898, and, actually, there wasn’t even an election that year. Apologies to our history buffs; let’s call that our idea of clownin’ around and move on. Die-hard Simpsons fans showed their knowledge of all things Springfield in clue 6 by naming not only the clown’s stage name but also his full legal name – Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofski. Now, that’s a mouthful! Surprisingly, clue 9 threw many for a loop, with some citing Michael Christensen of Clown Care or Tortell Poltrona of Clowns Without Borders. Close, but not the clown doctor, Patch Adams, we were looking for. We received 105 entries, of which 82 were correct. The five winners randomly selected to receive $30 Borders gift certificates are: Wynn English; Craig Berger MPW ’03; Dave Shipman MS ’70, PhD ’73; Bruce Brown MBA ’71; and Adele Fergus-O’Brien ’76, MS ’84. answers ›› 1. Philip astley 2. John wayne Gacy (Bonus: Pogo the Clown) 3. Heath ledger 4. willard scott 5. Insane Clown Posse 6. Krusty the Clown 7. Emmett Kelly 8. Jello Biafra 9. Patch adams 10. dan rice 11. Clown alley 12. “the tears of a Clown” l
we welcome letters from readers although we do reserve the right to select and edit for space. Please include your name, address, e-mail address, degree and year of graduation, if applicable, with each letter and mail to: USC Trojan Family Magazine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-7790 or e-mail us at: magazines@usc.edu. Please note that, because of our production schedule, it might be several months before your letter appears.
6
U S C T R o J A N FA M I LY M A g A z I N E spring 2011