University community mourns loss of students

Vanderbilt students and professors paid tribute to the lives of Ones Waddell Polk and David Bennett Smith during an emotional memorial service Dec. 2 at Benton Chapel.

James Crumlin, a 1997 graduate of the Vanderbilt School of Law, was one of Polk's closest friends. He had attended a small gathering of friends with the accident victims shortly before they were killed. Crumlin urged the several hundred people who attended the University-sponsored service "to remember the legacy of these three young men who touched so many lives" and "to cherish their memories."

Vanderbilt Professor of Law Nicholas Zeppos described Polk, who was a third-year student, as having "enormous worth and compassion with a seriousness of purpose." He remembered that Polk would often raise interesting questions after class, and that he was extremely thoughtful and concerned about others.

Barry Friedman, professor of law at Vanderbilt, had taught Smith this semester. "David came to us full of promise," Friedman said. He noted that Smith, who originally wanted to be a police officer, had decided to enter the legal profession in order to help those in need of counsel. "David had a warm and loving side that we will always remember," he said.

Andrea Ivory, a first-year Vanderbilt law student, described Smith's quick wit and willingness to help the other students in their class. Other law students who paid tribute to the accident victims were Carl Bandy, Kito Huggins and Sonya Smith.

Smith said that Polk always had encouraged her to slow down and take time to know people. "I hope this will help us reflect how important friendships are," she said.

The service also included a solo by Allison Berry, a senior in the College of Arts and Science. She sang "Because He Lives" in tribute to Polk and Smith.

The two law students were killed along with their friend Tavio Lucas in a head-on collision on Donelson Pike Nov. 23. Michael Anthony Daniel, 38, has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide in connection with the accident. Police say he was driving on the wrong side of the street when his Sierra pickup truck hit Polk's 1964 Volkswagen Beetle around 1:25 a.m.

Law School Dean Kent Syverud attended Polk's funeral; Associate Law School Dean Don Welch attended Smith's. Memorial funds in Polk and Smith's names have been established at the Law School.