USC President Steven Sample, Cindy McCain honored
Perhaps it was the opportunity to see John and Cindy McCain -- or the soon-to-be-departing USC President Steven Sample -- but nearly 350 people turned out Monday when the USC Rossier School of Education celebrated its centennial.
Sample was honored with the Global Education Leadership Award; Cindy McCain, with the Dean’s Alumni Achievement Award. They got to share a few laughs with the senior Arizona senator and 2008 Republican presidential candidate. Indeed, by the time John McCain arrived at the podium, he said so many people told him they voted for him that he was going to demand a recount.
Earlier that evening, gala patrons enjoyed a cocktail reception at the Hancock Memorial Museum, originally the Hancock mansion, built more than a century ago and moved in part to USC’s campus, complete with family heirlooms and treasures from the Emperor Maximilian’s Mexico City palace.
“I’ve been here my whole life, and I’ve never been in this building,” said Ed Roski, in surveying the Roman reception hall, library and Rococo music salon. Roski is chairman of USC’s board of trustees. Also among party-goers were host committee members John Katzman, Debbie and Terry Lanni, Verna Dauterive; and Barbara and Roger Rossier, for whom the school is named.
On ascending the stage, Cindy McCain was almost beyond words: “It’s rare for someone who’s lived as long as I have in politics with my husband to be speechless, but I truly am,” she said, before sharing her beliefs on the importance of education, especially for young women throughout the world. “I truly believe that by championing education around the world, we can make a safer world,” she said.
Next, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa introduced Sample, recounting his work in raising USC’s stature globally, being open to international students and understanding the university’s position in Los Angeles as “the gateway to Asia and Latin America.” Sample is stepping down after 19 years as USC’s president.
A classical conga
The Center Dance Arts crowd saw another side of the Joffrey dancers after the Jan. 28 premiere of “Cinderella,” one that couldn’t be further from the arabesques, pirouettes and grand jetés of classical ballet. On hearing the party’s pop music, company members headed straight for the dance floor, at first forming conga lines and later lining up for their own rendition of “Single Ladies,” male dancers included.
About 250 CDA patrons stayed for the buffet supper and bonus dance show at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. CDA supports “Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center,” which includes dance presentations, educational programs and outreach efforts.
“Dance makes everybody happy,” Kaufman said. “Everyone in the audience has problems. You see the dancers, and your problems are gone. It puts you in a different place.”
Last year, Kaufman -- the widow of Donald Kaufman of Kaufman & Broad -- shored up the Music Center’s dance programs with a $20-million gift.
There to greet patrons and dancers were CDA chair Mattie McFadden Lawson, president Jane Jelenko and event co-chairs Ricki Ring, Susan Rothenberg and Alyce Williamson. Also spotted were Joyce and Kent Kresa, Leslie and Jack Kavanaugh, Barbara Mack and Norman Levine, Ginny Mancini, Joan Herman and Elizabeth Hirsch.
ellen.olivier@society-news.com
