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Student Newspaper of the University of Southern California Since 1912
tvww dailytrojan.com
May 18, 2005
INSIDE
Virginia Powell cruised to three victories in the Pac-10 truck championship. 12
Vol. CXI. VII. No. I
Campus priest accused of misconduct
Father William Messenger of USC Catholic Center accused of inappropriate contact
By BONNIE SCHINDLER
Stiff Writer
The head pastor from Our Savior Catholic Center at USC was placed on administrative leave on April 29 because of allegations that he had inappropriate physical contact with an adult.
"Both the archdiocese and the university have received a report about a serious violation of ministerial ethics and essential professional boundaries involving inappropriate physical conduct by our campus minister. Father Bill Messenger," Jenny Schwart/.kopf, religious director of the Catholic Student Association, said in a press release on May 1.
The alleged victim has not been named by the Catholic Center, which has declined to comment on the issue.
The l-os Angeles Police Department is not investigating the allegations because of a lack of evidence and witnesses, police officials said.
"No one has come forward — no adult, no minor — so we have no victim," said Capt. James Craig of the LAPD. “Any actions the school took is separate from the LAPD, and as of now, there is no criminal prosecution of Messenger taking place.”
Regardless of criminal investigation, Messenger, 55, was placed on leave in accordance with rules within the "Priests' Policies and Guidelines” of the archdiocese and the “Guidelines and Governance for Religious Life at USC,” Schwartzkopf said.
“We have extended pastoral counseling to the person who made the report and we are working in conjunction with the University of Southern California to bring a resolution to this matter that is in accord with each institution's respected policy and procedures governing these types of allegations," said Todd Tamburg of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,
Neither the university nor the archdiocese has given word as to whether or not Messenger will resume his role at the Catholic Center, as the investigation is still in its early stages.
The investigation consists of an interview of the alleged victim by a board of 13 lay persons. After making a decision, the group then submits a recommendation to Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony.
Despite being placed on administrative leave, the actions taken by the university and archdiocese does not
I see Messenger, page 10 i
Katherine Beck I Summer Trojan
Pomp and circumstance. Graduate students march in the processional at USC’s 122nd commencement ceremonies on Friday.
Giant leap for graduates
Quick Facts
Alumnus and moonwalker Neil Armstrong addressed USC's 2005 graduating class
By TAYLOR DALTON
Contributing Writer
More than 8,000 Trojans received bachelor's, master’s and doctorate degrees and were addressed by Astronaut and USC alumnus Neil Armstrong at USC’s 122nd annual commencement ceremony in Alumni Park on Friday.
Armstrong, the first man to walk on the surface of the moon, delivered the main commencement address, telling graduates to remain true to themselves
no matter what.
"Some things are beyond your control," Armstrong said. "What are not easily stolen from you, without your cooperation, are your principles and your values. They are your most important possessions, and if carefully selected and nurtured will well serve you and your fellow man.”
Armstrong, who graduated from USC with a master's degree* in aerospace engineering in 1970, also congratulated the graduates on their accomplishment, saying they must have felt they "labored for eons.”
Concluding his address, Armstrong told graduates to look to the future by quoting Antoine de Saint Exupery, author of “The Little Prince," saying,
“Your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it”
Before speaking, Armstrong was one of six people awarded an honorary degree from the university.
Other honorary degrees were awarded to Dennis F. Dougherty. USC senior vice president for administration; Eberhardt Rechtin, a USC professor and founder of the academic field, “Systems Architecting;" Andrew J. Viterbi, cofounder of Qualcomm Corp. and namesake of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering; composer John Williams; and director Robert Zemeckis.
In another graduation address, valedictorian Katherine Trefz reminded the graduates of their past experiences of
I see Graduation oage 10 I
4,160 bachelor’s degrees, 3,370 mas ter's degrees and 890 doctorates were awarded
Approximately 30,000 people attended the commencement ceremonies
Century evacuated after finals week bomb scare
INDEX
Suspicious package determined to be a PVC pipe filled with pesticide
By STEVEN CHEN
Staff Writer
The Los Angeles Police Department closed off several streets around USC’s university park campus and evacuated buildings in Century Apartments and University Gardens on May 6 following a call about a suspicious package underneath a university vehicle, a Los Angeles Police Department official said.
An LAPD bomb squad and Los Angeles County Hazardous Material team arrived to investigate a PVC
pipe that was capped on both ends and placed underneath a white USC van. Tests determined that it was not a bomb, but it contained a pesticide, according to the USC Department of Public Safety crime log.
Several blocks around Jefferson Avenue, Vermont Avenue and McClintock Boulevard were shut down for approximately five hours after a USC staff member discovered the pipe inside Parking Lot 1.
The pipe was approximately 18 inches long with a liquid substance inside, said Chief Aaron Graves, Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety.
DPS officers arrived at the scene and contacted the LAPD.
LAPD officers set up a 300 ft.
I see Pip* bomb page 2 I
Facts
Students were evacuated for about five hours as police tested for explosives
A PVC pipe was discovered underneath
a white USC van in Parking Lot 1
Master Yoda is back for one last "Star Wars" episode, which debuts Thursday. 5
Women's crew advances to NCAA championships. 12
News Digest— 2 Sports_________12
Star Wars____„...5 Classifieds..______8
Opinions—.......4 Lifestyle__________5
WEATHER
Today: Sunny, high 75, low 60
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny
John Williams addresses music school graduates
The Oscar-winning composer spoke at the Thornton School of Music's commencement
By ADRIAN FL0RID0
Contributing Writer
Five-time Academy Award winning film composer John Williams offered personal anecdotes and encouragement to students of USC's Thornton School of Music at the school's commencement ceremony on the south lawn of Ramo Hall on Friday.
Williams, whose iconic compositions include the scores to "Star Wars." “Indiana Jones," and "Superman." was also presented with an honorary Doctor of Music degree at the university’s main ceremony earlier in the day.
While Williams was reluctant to offer extensive advice I see Williams page 10