Faculty, staff and students in the Weatherhead School of Management’s MBA program will gather this morning to remember Rongrong “Daniel” Yang, a first-year MBA student who passed away Wednesday night.
Yang, who would have celebrated his 33rd birthday next month, was found unresponsive in his apartment early Thursday morning. Officials are still investigating his cause of death, but police found no indications of foul play or other explanation on the scene.
A quiet, kind young man from the Jiangsu province in China, Yang came to the Weatherhead School with hopes of becoming an expert in supply chain management. He also had interest in consulting and analytics, and in acquiring “excellent business sense” in his classes.
“He always had a smile, was prepared with the analysis and was willing to take on the prevailing opinion in our discussions,” said J.B. Silvers, the John R. Mannix Medical Mutual of Ohio Professor of Health Care Finance and Professor of Banking and Finance. “He was the kind of student who everyone wants in a class and program since he helps everyone else learn.”
Although a member of the Weatherhead School community for only a short time, Yang already had made a significant impact on his classmates. Early on he assisted some with setting up bank accounts and learning the neighborhood, and later helped others with class assignments. He had such a generous manner about him that even when he corrected someone else, his positive intentions were obvious.
“He definitely would have been a major cross-cultural bridge for the class,” Silvers said. “For that reason alone, he will be missed. I know I will miss him in my class.”
MBA students, staff and faculty will gather at 11:25 a.m. in the Peter B. Lewis Building to remember and honor Yang.
In an email message to the Weatherhead School community last week, Dean Robert Widing advised students that University Counseling Services offers walk-in appointments and can be reached at 216.368.5872. He added that faculty and staff could speak with a counselor by contacting the university’s EASE program at 216.241.3273.
The Daily will provide additional information as it becomes available.