2008 Woodie Awards
Cancer claims Rand Link at 59
Cheyenne Lee
Issue date: 10/25/06 Section: News
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Link was, to many students, not a typical vice president, a corporate/executive position, but a real, compassionate listener and advisor.
During the attacks of Sept. 11, Link sat with students all night as they held candlelight vigils and prayed for survivors of the fallen towers, the marred Pentagon, and the hijacked commercial airlines.
"We called him the Sage, the Wise Old Man," Nadir Vissanjy, president of Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), told the Press Democrat.
"He always had good insight and would always share, if you asked."
Link's whole life seemed to revolve around students.
Link was a strong voice against student drinking, especially binge drinking. He served as chair of the Alcohol and Drug Advisory committee. He partnered with law enforcement and county health services to curb binge drinking through a $750,000 grant.
His efforts earned him the "Leadership Excellence Award" at the 2005 CSU Alcohol Advisory Councils on April 22, 2005.
Link also instituted the Student Advocates for Education (SAFE) in 1997. SAFE not only educates students onn responsible drinking, but also has programs for women on how to prevent assault and rape. It teaches both sexes the importance of safe sex, and the danger of HIV and STDs. More than 80 percent of freshmen students are involved in SAFE.
As vice president of student affairs, Link supervised and improved athletic programs, counseling and health services. He was a dedicated weekly representative to the Associated Students, but was also very supportive of the administration's direction.
SSU President Ruben Armiñana said the legacy Link left to SSU was the Rec Center, which he called "one of his dreams."
He described Link as a "good parent for many students," who cared deeply for them.
"(He was) the most thoughtful, caring, wise individual I've known," Armiñana said.
"(He took) his responsibilities seriously. I trusted his wise council."
"Whenever students would come into the office, he would introduce himself and shake their hands," said Shawn Kilat, administrative assistant to Katharyn Crabbe, the vice president of student affairs.