Briefly Speaking

Blair student dies unexpectedly

Luther Williams "Luke" Sink, a rising sophomore at Blair School of Music, died unexpectedly at his home in Lexington, Ky. Aug. 21 from a rare connective tissue disease. Sink was a vocal major and on a pre-medical track. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and an Original Cast participant. "He was a wonderful student," said Mark Wait, dean of the Blair School of Music. "It struck me that he was ideally suited to get the most out of the Vanderbilt experience. He gave as much to the community as he received." Gayle Shay, Sink's vocal instructor, added that Sink was "strong-willed in a good way. He was very supportive of friends and colleagues" and that he "always had a smile." The funeral was held Aug. 25 in Lexington. A memorial service for Sink will be held Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Blair Auditorium.

Vanderbilt ranked 22nd by 'U.S. News'

Vanderbilt received a ranking of 22nd in the latest U.S. News & Word Report survey of the nation's best research universities, while the Engineering School was ranked 44th among undergraduate programs at schools offering Ph.D.s. Princeton topped the "Best National Universities" ranking, followed by Harvard and Yale tied at second, California Institute of Technology at fourth and Massachusetts Institute of Technology at fifth. Last year, Vanderbilt was ranked 20th. In this year's survey, Vanderbilt also was ranked 46th among national universities considered "best values" and was noted among national universities with the "highest proportion of classes under 20."

ACS grant applications available

Applications are being sought for support by the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant designed to provide seed money for junior faculty members with an interest in cancer research. The ACS defines junior faculty as investigators at the rank of assistant professor or equivalent who are eligible to apply as principal investigator for grant support from national agencies. However, the IRG is intended to support junior faculty who do not have national grant support of their own, and who have not received prior support from the IRG. Faculty members with an interest in the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of cancer, as well as in basic and clinical research, are encouraged to apply. Funds are available to all schools of Vanderbilt University. Individual allocations are limited to a maximum of $20,000, and the awards will be for the Jan. 1Dec. 31, 2001 period. Deadline for application is Oct. 2, 2000. Awards will be announced in December. For information or application forms, contact Jennifer McConnell, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, 649 Preston Building (MRBII), 936-1072.

Peabody adds math to reading clinic

This fall, the Peabody Reading Clinic continues to offer intensive, individualized tutoring for students in kindergarten and the early elementary grades. The program, which matches Peabody teachers-in-training with students, is expanding to include a math clinic, both remediation and enrichment. Students are accepted on a first-come-first served basis. Interested families are asked to contact Stephanie al Otaiba at 322-8291 or 343-4782. The clinics are co-sponsored by the Department of Special Education, the John F. Kennedy Center and Peabody College.

VCCC receives continued sponsorship

The Vanderbilt Child Care Center announced the continuing sponsorship of the Tennessee Department of Human Services Child Care Food Program. Meals will be available at no separate charge to enrolled participants at the center and will be provided without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or handicap.

HR announces benefit dates

The Vanderbilt Benefits Fair is Sept. 2628. The fair will be located in the Vanderbilt Clinic, Rooms 2701-2704 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 7 a.m.5 p.m. on Thursday. The Vanderbilt Benefits Open Enrollment is Oct. 1-20.

Football standouts suspended

On Aug. 14, a routine internal compliance audit discovered a possible NCAA violation involving two members of the Vanderbilt football team, Jimmy Williams and Jamie Winborn. Vanderbilt officials and Southeastern Conference investigations determined the NCAA bylaw involving preferential treatment to student-athletes had been violated. Winborn and Williams reportedly received free financial counseling from two Vanderbilt alumni, who meet the NCAA's criteria of an authorized representative. After self-reporting, Vanderbilt has disassociated itself from the two alumni. The student athletes have made restitution and removed themselves from all transactions with the management firm. Vanderbilt has agreed to the SEC's suggested self-imposed penalty of a two game suspension of the two student athletes. As of press time, the NCAA was in the process of reviewing the official report and can elect to accept or modify this penalty.