PASSAGES: Walters Gives to the Arts

By Stephen M. Silverman

05/24/2002 at 10:46 AM EDT

DONATED: TV news legend Barbara Walters, 70, has given $1 million to help build a gallery in a new arts center at her alma mater, Sarah Lawrence College, in Yonkers, N.Y., reports the Associated Press. The gallery will be named for the "20/20" and "The View" host. No opening date was reported . . . HONORED: Sting and ABBA stars Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson were among those who received achievement awards from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters in London Thursday, reports AP. "It's great to receive a songwriting award in front of other songwriters," said Sting, 50, at the ceremony . . . DIAGNOSED: Former "7th Heaven" star Barry Watson, 28 (he played eldest son Matt Camden on the WB series), has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, reports AP. (Hodgkin's is a type of cancer, usually curable, which affects the lymphatic system.) "He begins treatment this week, and both he and his doctors are extremely optimistic about a full recovery," his publicist said in a statement . . . DISMISSED: An Oregon jury has rejected claims that "Home Again" star Bob Vila, 55, repeatedly kicked a woman's seat during a November 1997 United Airlines flight while she was trying to sleep, reports AP. Carol Berger had been seeking $250,000 in damages for mental anguish and injuries to her lower back. Asked in court whether his foot ever touched Berger's seat, Vila replied: "I have never kicked anybody. I have never struck anybody. I have never hit anybody in my life" . . . DIED: Smooth-swinging golfer SAM SNEAD, 84, who won a record 81 PGA tournaments, died Thursday at his home in Virginia, reports The New York Times. He had suffered a series of strokes over the past two months, a family member told the paper. Also, two members of the "Our Gang" series died within a week of each other: DARWOOD KENNETH SMITH, 72, who played Waldo (the skinny kid with glasses who was in love with Darla), was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver near his Riverside, Calif., home on May 15, while, as PEOPLE.com reported Thursday, JOE COBB, 85, who played the chubby little rascal Joe in early '20s "Gang" shorts, died Tuesday of an unreported cause.