Orchestra conductor dies at the age of 76
Sergiu Comissiona was a principal guest conductor for the USC Thornton Symphony.
By MONIQUE RAD
Contributing Writer
World-renowned orchestra conductor and principal guest conductor for the USC Thornton Symphony Sergiu Comissiona died at the age of 76 of a heart attack on March 5, hours before he was to conduct the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra.
Larry J. Livingston, professor of conducting and the former dean of the Thornton Music School from 1986 to
2002, brought Comissiona to
USC in 1997.
"I convinced him to come and see if he could find meaning and fulfillment in our academic setting, thus beginning a nearly decade-long relationship," Livingston said.
As the principal guest conductor of the Thornton Symphony, Comissiona treated his students as if they were colleagues, said Danielle Ondarza, orchestra manager.
“He would be the first to say that he was not an educator,"' Ondarza said, “He was a professional conductor with professional experience, and he brought that to the school."
Robert A. Cutietta, dean of Thornton School of Music, said his professional demeanor did not inhibit him from connecting with students.
“He was the kind of conductor you feared and loved at the same time,” Cutietta said.
Through his professionalism and career successes, Comissiona created a relationship with students based on their admiration of his achievements and honor of
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Vol. CXI. VI. No. 41
Three muggings over four days
Two of the incidents involve similar circumstances and suspect descriptions. Third involved two suspects.
By STEVEN CHEN
Surf Writer
Between Friday and Monday, three muggings near campus were reported — two of which involved a man using a gun to rob the victims.
The Department of Public Safety believes the two incidents involving a gun were committed by the same man.
On Monday, a male USC staff member was walking on Hope Street near campus about 9:30 p.m. when a man approached him and showed a chrome-steel gun before demanding his money and property. The victim described the suspect as 5-foot-9 black male with a distinctive scar on his face.
After receiving the property, the suspect apologized to the victim, saying he was “having a hard time,"
before fleeing northbound on Hope Street, said Lt. Gloria Graham, head of the Department of Public Safety Crime Prevention Unit.
In another incident Friday, a female student was walking in the parking lot at Cardinal Gardens when a man approached her with a silver handgun and demanded her cell phone and money. The victim also told DPS that after being approached by the man, she was told to walk with him and “act as if she knew him.” The perpetrator was described as a 5-foot-5 black male weighing 150 pounds. After receiving the property, the man apologized to the student before leaving the scene.
The similarities between the two incidents have led DPS to believe that the perpetrator is the same.
"We are considering that it is
the same person," Graham said. "We don't know for certain, but we are considering that it is."
Graham said that when robberies occur, it is very rare for the suspect to apologize to the victim.
A third incident occurred
By KRISTIN MAYER
Staff Writer
Nine incidents of residential burglaries were reported over spring break, including five burglaries from rooms in Pardee Tower.
Over the break, there was an increase of residential burglaries while there were decreases in burglary to
Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at 29th and Hoover streets. Two men approached a student and one of them asked for a dollar. When the student took out his wallet, one of the perpetrators grabbed it, and they then both ran.
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motor vehicle and in petty theft compared to previous weeks.
Perpetrators broke into five dormitory [ooms in Pardee Tower using a prying instrument to check if the dead bolt was locked or not, said Lt. Gloria Graham, head of the Crime Prevention Unit for the Department of Public Safety. If the deadbolt were left
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Residential burglaries hit campus during break
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INSIDE
hiker tourney, sponsored by USC alums, raised money for charity. 7
Indiana senator speaks on globalization
Some consider Evan Bayh
be a possible presidential candidate in 2008 race.
By LAURA SIMURDA
Staff Writer
Hacnei tnas i uany irojan
Come together. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-lnd.) spoke at Bovard Auditorium Tuesday on national issues ranging from education to changing demographics. He also spoke about how America will fare in the upcoming decades.
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-lnd.) discussed national security, the federal budget and the need for politicians to unite during a lecture in Bovard Auditorium Tuesday afternoon.
About 70 students, faculty and community members attended the lecture, which focused on education, globalization and changing demographics.
“Our power lies not in the strength of our arms, but in the strength of our ideals," Bayh said.
He spoke about invigorating the country and how America will maintain its prosperity during a period of globalization.
"If you travel around the world, you realize we are the strongest nation in the world, but it's not by accident," Bayh said.
Bayh also discussed the state of politics in the United States, including the federal deficit.
“What does it say about us when we expect our children to pay off our I see Bayh. page 14 I
WEATHER
Today: Partly cloudy. High 62, low 51. Tomorrow: Showers. High 61, low50.
Mexican violence highlighted at event
INDEX
As practice begins, departing football stars look ahead. 20
Plight against women and girls in Ciudad Juarez focus of Tuesday event.
By ANNA JEWETT
Staff Writer
More than 100 students, faculty and community members attended “No Mas: Creating a Community of Non-Violence" where various speakers discussed the plight of women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
The event was intended to raise
awareness about the violent crimes committed against women and girls.
More than 370 young women have been tortured, murdered or disappeared since 1993, and the Mexican authorities have failed to exhibit concern or adequately address the violent crimes against these women, according to Proyecto V.O.S.
There is a political and social apathy. The murders (of the women) are not looked upon as important, and this has become a cycle. Violence aga inst women has become entrenched
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No more. Speakers discuss Nuestras Htjas de Regreso a Casa, a group created to stop violence on women
Abe Lincoln in a fry? Yeah, right. 4
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