A group of students spent ten minutes before a memorial, individually lighting tealight candles in glass vases, spelling the name of an Ohio University senior who died Tuesday night.
About 250 attended the memorial Sunday afternoon to honor Lei Han, a 24-year old student who studied economics, who died of an “unexpected medical issue” after collapsing in Ping Center last Tuesday.
Among the hundreds who came to celebrate his life were his parents, cousins and fiancé from China, as well as several OU administrators.
Eight speakers took the podium to honor Han — an international student from Dalian, China — and his contributions to the Chinese student community on campus. All the speeches were translated into English and Chinese, either by the speaker or a translator.
As co-president of the Chinese Student and Scholars Association, Han recently helped organize OU’s Chinese New Year event. Han gave a speech during the celebration, held Feb. 2.
He played the head of the dragon in the traditional dance at last year’s New Year celebration.
“If you are fortunate to meet Lei in the next life, I would be happy to play a dragon with him,” said Jim Zhu, faculty advisor to the Chinese Student and Scholars Association and a professor of electrical engineering.
Han increased awareness and appreciation of Chinese culture at OU, Zhu said.
There are about 1,000 undergraduate students from China at OU, said Lorna Jean Edmonds, vice provost for global affairs.
Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi presented Han’s parents with a flag that flew outside Cutler Hall.
“Lei was a shining light at Ohio University, and I thank you for allowing him to share his life with us,” Lombardi said.
During the memorial, a group of Han’s friends from OU sang his favorite song, “The Sea,” and his fiancé sang a song to honor Han as well.
Ceremony organizers asked attendants to wear dark clothing, which is unusual for traditional Chinese memorial ceremonies, Edmonds said.
People typically wear white or light colors to funerals in China, avoiding red and gold, colors that represent happiness and celebration, Edmonds said.
Several attendants brought bouquets of white and yellow lilies, roses and daisies to place beside the candles and portrait of Han.
“They wanted it to be a very respectful ceremony and quite modest and I think this was more than they even expected,” Edmonds said. “I was very touched. I think everybody was touched.”
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This article appeared in print under the headline "Student body honors senior"
