USD Magazine, Fall 1996

ALCALA

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N~"-"W~ Ron Hill spent afternoo of his high school years in soda shops, sketching on napkins. Today the USO professor of English has drawers spilling over with pink cocktail napkins, but these are filled with poems. Some of the words, written in impecca- ble penmanship, form short phrases or "snatches of poems." Many of the napkins boast complete sonnets, yet Hill is quick to say his poetry is almost never finished. He will add words, change phrases and move commas days, weeks or even years later. Hill lives in a quaint, European-like community of San Diego known as the Uptown District, where living and shop– ping are combined to create a distinctly cosmopolitan feel. Until a few months ago, neighbors gathered regularly at Canes American Bistro for happy hour. This is the place where Hill once again succumbed to the allure of cocktail napkins. He writes sonnets primarily and finds the size of napkins ideal for the 14-line poems. "The napkin is limited in space, so it cooperates with that idea of discipline," Hill says. A USO professor since 1971, Hill writes for publication, but says writing poetry is his form of recreation as well as a profes– sional creative activity. While talking with friends and sipping a glass of wine, the words would often come spilling from his mind, so he could do nothing but listen to the muses in his head and put pen to nap- kin. When Hill began writing, his friends at Canes knew to leave him alone until the

JOAN KROC DONATES $3 MILLION TC USO F"CR STUDENT FINANCIAL AID P hilanthropist Joan B. Kroc donated $3 million this summer to the University of San Diego for use in awarding student financial aid in the form of no-interest loans. This donation, the second-largest single gift in USD's history, will be invested in the university's Student No-Interest Loan Trust established in 1986 by the Los Angeles– based Weingart Foundation. Additionally, the $3 million gift will enable USO to qualify for matching funds from the Wein– gart Foundation. In the past 10 years, USD's Weingart-supported no-interest loan program has provided $8.5 million in loans to under– graduate students. ''We are deeply honored to be a beneficiary of Mrs. Kroc's legendary generosity," says USD President Alice B. Hayes. "Her strong belief in the value of hard work and respon– sibility is reflected in this loan program, which gives deserving students the oppor– tunity to finance their own education." Joan Kroc has served on the university's board of trustees and received a USD hon– orary doctoral degree in 1988.

napkins were stuffed in · shirt pocket, to be carried home for later revision. "Canes was like an anchor," he says. "I would go in there and my mind would cen– ter itself." Sadly, the bistro shut down this summer and Hill misses it mightily. But the poems continue to come and he still reaches for a napkin - now from the local bagel shop.

Dressed in morning coat, the Sun rose today, A gentle caller in quiet array, To pay his early respects at your door. Not finding you about, with nothing more To do, he fondled the blossoms and leaves Of plants upon the stoop, poked under eaves, And peeked beneath a close-drawn window blind. He loitered amongst the gardens - to find Some sign of your coming or going - through Mid-day. By noon, quite heated alike by Hope and despair, frustrated, he then threw Off his gentler guise and scorched half a world. At evening, wrapped in mourning's cloak, he hurled Himself down the dark western slope, to die.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS As the renovation for the Author E. and Marjorie A. Hughes Administration Center neared completion during the spring and summer, many USO departments were lit– erally on the move. The Hughes Center, formerly the San Diego Diocese building, is the new address for 19 departments, including career services, parking services, public safety, loan administration, student accounts, the president's office, financial aid and the provost's office.

- Ron Hill

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