Grain & Chaff

In the running

English professor Martín Espada is one of five finalists for the Massachusetts Book Award in the poetry category. Sponsored by the campus-based Massachusetts Center for the Book, the newly created awards honor outstanding authors in several categories, including fiction, nonfiction, children's literature and children's picture books. Espada is nominated for his collection "A Mayan Astronomer in Hell's Kit-chen." The awards will be presented Nov. 2 at the Boston Public Library.

First team selections

Several members of the University community were honored Aug. 4 at the All-American Football Foundation's "banquet of champions" in Hyannis. Sports Studies professor Glen Wong was presented the Outstanding Faculty Athletic Representative Award. Wong is the campus's faculty representative to the NCAA. Paul Gorham, recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach for the Minutemen, received one of four Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coaches Awards bestowed at the dinner. Former Minuteman defensive lineman Mike Dwyer received the 15 Year All-American Award and Mary Barrett, retired associate athletic director at UMass Boston and former AD at Boston State College, was given the Gen. Robert R. Neyland Athletic Director Award.

Hard times in Burlington

University of Vermont officials announced last week that the financially pressed school will scrap five of its 27 varsity sports at the end of the academic year. The targeted programs are men's and women's gymnastics, women's volleyball and men's indoor and outdoor track. By dropping the sports, said UVM officials, the school will be able to save money and assist the remaining 22 athletic teams.

Noteworthy

Music professor Robert Stern was recently awarded an ASCAPLU$ award by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. The cash awards, which this year total $2.2 million, are intended to assist and encourage writers of serious music. According to ASCAP, the awards are given by an independent five-member panel and "are based upon the unique prestige value of each writer's catalog of original compositions as well as recent performances of those works in areas not surveyed by the Society."

Ovations

Springfield Technical Community College is tapping into the University's talent pool for its fall Ovation Series, a program of presentations by writers, artists, political figures and health and science experts. Music professor emeritus Horace Clarence Boyer shares his expertise on gospel music on Oct. 4 and storyteller and retired Library staffer Stas Radosh entertains on Oct. 15. Journalism professor Madeleine Blais is scheduled to speak Nov. 14. Alumnus Jim Trelease, an expert on children's reading, speaks Nov. 20. For times and locations, call Gail Dunn at 755-4260 or Margaret Szumowski at 755-4255.

Rising star

Stephanie Santos was named Atlantic 10 women's soccer rookie of the week after scoring three goals in a 6-2 win over SUNY-Binghamton on Sunday. The Ludlow resident currently leads the Minutewomen in scoring with four goals and eight points.