Engraved bricks in recognition of faculty and staff contributions to the Campaign for Washington University have been installed in Joe Evans Plaza, just north of Holmes Lounge, and each has its own story and special meaning.

Stuart D. Yoak, Ph.D., director of foundation relations, had a brick named in memory of his mentor, the late Steven Schwarzschild, who taught philosophy here from 1965 to 1989.

"He was on my dissertation committee and one of the most important people in my life," Yoak said.

Faculty and staff members may name a brick for each $500 given to the campaign, up to four bricks, per donor.

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Polonsky will become head of medicine

Kenneth S. Polonsky, M.D., has been named the Adolphus Busch Professor and head of the Milliken Department of Internal Medicine, the medical school's largest academic department, with more than 300 full-time faculty, 900 staff and $55 million annually in research funds. The professorship, established in 1910, is one of the school's oldest endowed chairs.

Polonsky's appointment, effective Nov. 1, was announced by William A. Peck, M.D., executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.

"The Washington University community will be enriched tremendously by the arrival of Dr. Ken Polonsky," Peck said. "He is so highly regarded as a clinician and researcher, and he has established himself as a leader among his peers and as an excellent administrator. He assumes responsibility for one of the premier internal medicine departments in the world, and we are fortunate to have him."

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'Great influence'

James G. Miller, Ph.D., professor of physics in Arts & Sciences and a leader in studies of the heart's physical properties, has been named the first Albert Gordon Hill Professor of Physics. A formal installation ceremony will be held in spring 2000.

"Jim is a splendid teacher and an innovative scholar," said Edward S. Macias, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor and dean of Arts & Sciences. "In bringing to the classroom the excitement of his research in physics and medicine, he has inspired his students to outstanding achievement, and his work has had great influence on the fields of both physics and medicine.

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University in the running to host presidential debate in 2000

Washington University is one of about a dozen sites around the nation being considered as a potential host of the fall 2000 presidential debates, according to an Oct. 13 announcement by Paul G. Kirk Jr. and Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., co-chairmen of the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD).

The University hosted the first presidential debate held before the 1992 election and prepared to host a 1996 presidential debate, but it eventually was cancelled.

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Women in graduate studies benefit from new Olin Foundation gift

The Mr. and Mrs. Spencer T. Olin Fellowships for Women in Graduate Studies will mark a milestone this year -- 25 years of supporting women in graduate and professional studies at Washington University -- and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Foundation is commemorating the silver anniversary with a $1 million gift to bolster the program's endowment, according to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton.

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