University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

Page 22 text:

CadP ' sjjMjj

Page 21 text:

Programs for interdisciplinary study have been established to combine classes in many depart- ments treating different aspects of the same subject. A senior in Latin American studies, for example, might take a class in Latin American history from the history department, a class in the economy of underdeveloped countries from the economics department, a class in Latin Ameri- can literature from the Spanish department and a class in Spanish colonial architecture from the fine arts department. The programs fill the un- fortunate gaps between the many sides of any one problem. The trimester plan has also been introduced experimentally in some areas and may be expanded. These are many of the changes that the Master Plan brought in just over three years, in the face of the campus, in the academic curricula, in stu- dents and in faculty. But there is more to the picture, an undefinable but undeniable feeling of pride in the university and in its accomplish- ments that was absent three years ago. Now it is everywhere, as we walk past the or- ganized mess of new construction, as we hear the intelligent questions of freshmen in our classes, as we listen to the wisdom of new fac- ulty members, as we attend classes in depart- ments that recently didn ' t exist, as we watch the enthusiasm of the administrators for the future they are materializing. We and other students are aware that progress is not necessarily perfection, that retreats have been and will be occasionally necessary. We know that mistakes have been and will continue to be made, and that advances in some fields have sometimes been offset by failings in other fields. But we also know that at least the in- tention, the effort and the determination are there and will now always be. We have sufficient cause for pride — both in the Master Plan and in the person within whom the dream was envisioned and finally brought to a reality. To a man unselfish in his dedication . . . unrelenting in his pursuit of a greater USC . . . untiring in his quest for enter- prise and excellence in education, we dedi- cate the 1964 El Rodeo — Dpy by Sue Bernord Bryant Dr. NORMAN TOPPING PRESIDENT OF USC 17

Page 23 text:

) Dr. and Mrs Topping leaving the Hollywood Palladium after USC ' s annual Banquet. If there is one name synonymous with USC ' s Master Plan, that name is Norman Topping. In his six years as USC ' s eighth president, he has guided a physical and intellectual renaissance without parallel in the university ' s history. The achievements of the Master Plan to which the El Rodeo pays tribute this year could not have materialized without his foresight, his deter- mination and his courage. He made people start tak- ing USC seriously. When Dr. Topping returned as chief executive to USC, his alma mater, he had behind him an impressive career that would have satisfied many lesser men. He was an acknowledged expert on viral and rickettsial diseases and had discovered a cure for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. In his 16-year career with the United States Public Health Service he had risen to Assistant Surgeon General and associate Director of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He had also served the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania as its vice president for medical affairs for six years. The Man Behind The Master Plan He brought the same perfectionism that had character- ized his career thus far to the office of USC ' s presidency. In his inaugural address he made abundantly clear that the university could not afford to settle for anything less than the total pursuit of excellence, that mediocrity was an insidious, slow-working poison that ossifies and crum- bles the foundation upon which our society is built. In many ways a university is like a botanical plant, its roots deep in the community from which it draws its sustenance, its crown high in the air seeking its place in the sun, ' ' he said. Sometimes the plant is unable to reach as high as it should and fails to secure its share of the sun. Or perhaps the soil is poor in necessary nu- tritional elements, or cultivation has not been done sys- tematically, so that it has not obtained enough nourish- ment. Or it may even be that certain uncontrolled growth has prevented the plant from reaching its maximum in productivity of flowers or fruit. After careful study, judi- cious pruning may so alter the plant ' s metabolism that it will once again flourish. A seemingly tireless, energetic man, Dr Topping carries the heavy responsibility of educating more Ihon 18.000 students with seriousness and core. 19