Family members, IU officials speak at vigil for 2 students who died
Editor's note: This story from The Bloomington Herald-Times is being published here as a courtesy for readers of IU in the News.
By Lauren Slavin
Take time to say “hello” to an old friend. Keep in contact with your parents to let them know you’re safe and healthy. Don’t be afraid to reach out for legal services and other available resources in times of crisis.
These were the messages that student leaders, administrators and the families and friends of students Joseph Smedley II and Yaolin Wang told the crowd that gathered Wednesday evening in remembrance of the two students, who died days apart last week in separate incidents.
“If we remember this, we’ll be what we always want to be — the Indiana University family — and we’ll take care of each other,” IU Dean of Students Harold “Pete” Goldsmith said at the vigil held for the two students.
Hundreds of people from the university and greater Bloomington community gathered on campus at Dunn Meadow to remember 20-year-old Smedley, a sophomore who was found dead in Griffy Lake Friday evening, and Wang, a 21-year-old junior who police say was stabbed to death by a man she had been in a relationship with in a murder-suicide the night of Sept. 30.
“I’m not really sure what to say, because I never imagined my brother would be taken away from me so soon,” said Vivianne Brown, Smedley’s sister. “I feel like I’ve lost a part of me I’m never going to get back."
A moment of silence was held for each student, and friends and loved ones were invited to place flowers and other tokens of remembrance near two memorial wreaths in front of a stage where representatives from the university’s Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs, the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, Sigma Pi fraternity, of which Smedley was a member, and other campus organizations shared their condolences.
A small mountain of daisies quickly piled up in front of Wang’s white and yellow wreath. Students crouched in front of a blue and white wreath surrounding a photo of Smedley, holding onto each other’s shoulders in comfort as they brushed away tears. Indiana University Police Department cadets drifted through the crowd to hand out tissues.
Yaolin Wang’s father, who would not give his first name, had flown from China to visit his daughter two weeks ago to celebrate her 21st birthday. The aspiring business student was in her first semester at IU after transferring from Seattle Community College in Washington.
“She happily took my hand and we walked through the campus,” Alice Hsu, Wang’s attorney, translated for Wang, who spoke to vigil attendees in Mandarin. “She was so proud and so excited to get admission to such a wonderful school as Indiana University.”
Mark Rodgers II, who was president of the IU Groups Scholars Program in 2013 when Smedley was a member, recalled one of his first memories of Smedley was pelting him with a water balloon during a playful water fight that broke out in celebration of the end of the summer.
His last memory is passing Smedley in a hallway on the way to class, only briefly stopping to say hello and telling Smedley that they should catch up soon.
“Standing here, I realize I’m never going to see or speak to Joseph again,” Rodgers said. “It’s important to always remember and cherish the moments we have with one another.”
The Smedley family, as well as IUPD Chief Laury Flint, also asked attendees to contact the police with any additional information on the student deaths, both of which remain active cases with the Bloomington Police Department.
“I just want to know what happened to him,” Brown said.
Wang’s father emphasized that the campus community shouldn’t focus on the tragic circumstances of his daughter’s death, instead taking away the lesson to never be afraid to reach out for help, and to spend time with classmates and learn from one another.
“To all of her classmates — studying is not the most important thing for your parents. It’s your health and happiness,” Hsu translated for Wang. “Whatever you do, no matter what you do, your parents will always, always love you.”