Giant leap for graduates

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 Exupéry, 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, co-founder 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 college life and motivated them for the future.

Graduating students were impressed by Armstrong's speech.

"It was interesting, humble and encouraging," said Jennifer Koura, who was receiving a master's degree in accounting.

Armstrong's place as a USC alumnus was not lost on students, either.

"I thought that Neil Armstrong's speech was very inspirational," said Honey Hamilton, a communications major.

"It was heartfelt. It means something special to get advice on life from a fellow Trojan," she said.