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

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IF YOU WILL FORM AND MEAN. . .

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President Topping happy ,lh alumni during He famous salmon, and the president is reputed to be a mean hand with a clam shovel. But he doesn ' t have the time too often — it ' s been two years since he ' s been able to get up there. He does find time, however, to see his children and grandchildren (age s 5 ' 2 , 4, 2 ' 2 , 9 months and 4 months) about twice a year, no mean feat when they all live back East. The Toppings son Brian, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, lives in Philadelphia with his wife and two children, and their daughter, who at- tended USC, lives in New York City with her husband and three children. The president ' s hard work, perfectionism and pursuit of excellence in his own life mirror, perhaps fittingly, the qualities he demands of the university and everyone connected with it. In his inaugural address he pointed out that Our traditions emphasize the freedom of the in- dividual and, at the same time, his moral responsibility, for these two are inseparable. They emphasize the dig- nity and worth of the individual and the fact that equality of opportunity does not foster mediocrity but gives to the individual an unlimited horizon. On this wide horizon one ' s freedom of choice can determine one ' s career, and eventually success is dictated by the application of ability, sincerity of purpose, inner satisfac- tion in work well done, acceptance of responsibility and finally the desire for excellence in personal endeavor. I sometimes wonder if we pay sufficient attention to these values and if we have been guilty at times of not demanding enough of ourselves. We who set the stand- ards of performance for our youth cannot expect them to aspire to excellence in themselves when they see us willing to accept mediocrity. We need, once again, to dedicate ourselves and our university to a constant search for the ways to attain excellence and to a determination to accept no less. This we shall do. And this Norman Topping has done.

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Seize the deep edges of morning and step out Thin, blue without shadow Yet- So that Form that is coming on you Will be full-eyed, intense, Deep and startling and eager, Concerned. If you will Form and Mean: Pursue transformation Through formation And reformation. Tighten up loose, brown eyes Spinning up over impressions: A flock of earth-bound birds. Heels a steady clacking on the street, Grey wings slapping at their sides.