My name is Michael Gilmer, and I have known Tom Vaughn for about six years.  We have been roommates for the last three years.  Tom rarely makes time for reading a book that isn't for a class.  I think Tom enjoys reading, but he works 32 hours a week and doesn't have a lot of extra time.  As for his reading competency, Tom would probably be able to make sense out of an engineering text in which he has never been schooled.  I think he knows how to use his analytical skills well enough to understand many subjects that most would consider foreign.  He sometimes complains that he doesn't have time to read everything he would like, especially for fun, but that isn't an uncommon problem. 
     Tom is also a competent writer.  I think he prides himself on his creativity, but he tends to be a more straight-nosed writer.  This perception may come from the fact that the majority of his writing samples I have seen are news articles.  He has written for The Daily Texan and now writes for the Austin American-Statesman.  This doesn't mean I think he isn't creative, it just isn't one of his stronger points.  He certainly knows how to tell a good story, one that will keep the reader's attention as well as be a little surprising.  This description comes from writings of his I have seen other than newspaper writing, which has very strict rules and guidelines. 
     As a thinker, Tom can be somewhat critical of others' ideas and especially works of writings.  He knows the style he likes to read and the content as well.  He will be quick to point out any writing that does not conform to his idea of good writing, but if he has the chance to speak to the writer one-on-one, he generally offers constructive critiques.