April 17, 1998
Contact: Elizabeth Latt
615-322-2706
| |
April 17, 1998 Contact: Elizabeth Latt 615-322-2706 |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Power saws were out in force on the Vanderbilt University campus Friday morning and University counselors were working with students affected by a tornado that swept through the campus Thursday afternoon.
Although there were no injuries reported on campus, several students were injured, one critically, at a park near the campus.
Listed in critical condition Friday at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center was Kevin Edward Longinotti, 23, a senior from Memphis, Tenn., who was injured when he was struck by a falling tree during the storm that moved through the Vanderbilt area about 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
Another student, Seuing Hyon Jake Kwon, 21, a junior from Decatur, Tenn., was listed in fair condition at the Vanderbilt Medical Center. Four other students were treated at area hospitals Thursday and released.
In all the Vanderbilt Medical Center treated approximately 20 individuals with storm-related injuries. The only Level I trauma center in the Middle Tennessee area, the hospital activated its mass casualty plan in expectation of a greater number of injuries.
The six injured students were part of a group of approximately 60 Army ROTC students and staff who had gathered at Centennial Park for a picnic to mark the approaching completion of the academic year. Classes at Vanderbilt end April 21.
The residential life staff, University chaplain's office and the University's Psychological and Counseling Center are working together to counsel students affected by the storm.
A number of trees were blown down with at least one landing on top of cars parked nearby. Several other cars sustained extensive damage.
Damage to campus buildings was minor, according to Bob Camperlino, director of buildings and utilities. A window blew out of a dormitory, some screening around an air conditioner on the roof of an 11-story office building was blown off and a campus construction site sustained some damage. Also damaged was a stage being erected at the center of campus for the University's May 8 Commencement exercises.
No campus facilities required evacuation as a result of the storm. However, as word of the storm's approach was received, members of the residential life staff moved quickly through residence halls clearing rooms and sending students to basements.
Telephone service was disrupted for a time due to the extraordinary volume of incoming and outgoing calls, but the campus power supply was not interrupted. A small area of the west side of campus serviced by the city's power supply was without service overnight, but was returned to full service Friday.
Vanderbilt University is a private research university of approximately 5,900 undergraduates and 4,300 graduate and professional students. Founded in 1873, the University comprises 10 schools, a public policy institute, a distinguished medical center and The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center. Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education and human development, engineering and music, and a full range of graduate and professional degrees.
-VU-
Vanderbilt University is a private research university of approximately
5,900 undergraduates and 4,300 graduate and professional students. Founded
in 1873, the University comprises 10 schools, a public policy institute,
a distinguished medical center and The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center.
Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences,
education and human development, engineering and music, and a full range
of graduate and professional degrees.
For more news about Vanderbilt, visit the News and Public Affairs home page
on the Internet at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/News.