Dear Bentley Community,
We would like to extend our gratitude to the many members of this community who have given their time, energy, and love to the family and friends of Qinpei (Vivian) Lin over the past week. Her passing has been felt deeply, and the impact of such a loss will continue to be profound for many. We have heard from community members and friends who have asked how they can be helpful or support one another in this difficult time. Per the family’s request and our desire to honor the life of this young woman, we will host a campus memorial service this Friday, March 23rd from 4:00-6:00pm in the Executive Dining Room of the LaCava Center.
A memorial service allows us to reflect on the life of Qinpei, as shared by campus representatives, her family, and friends closest to her. Knowing her life touched many, it is our intention to ensure that all feel welcome to attend and express your condolences and support of her family and friends.
Being mindful of Chinese and Buddhist customs surrounding memorials and funerals, it may be helpful to share some additional information. It is customary for the color white to be prevalent at funerals, whereas red is traditionally for weddings. For appropriate dress at the memorial, red should be avoided and dark colors preferred (for suits, dresses, etc.). In lieu of gifts, flowers can be used as a gesture of expressing your condolences and support. Traditional arrangements should be white, avoiding the use of any flower with thorns. It is our intention to honor these traditions as best we can, as well as ensure that Quinpei’s family feels welcomed and comfortable.
We are also pleased to share that Facilities Management has graciously provided a weeping cherry tree in honor of Qinpei. It was planted this morning, surrounded by assorted other flowers, near the McCallum Graduate School sign. We hope this gesture, among many others, will continue to remind us of Qinpei and honor her presence at Bentley.
We hope you will be able to join us on Friday and share in the communal support of Qinpei’s family and friends.
Regards,
The Spiritual Life Team & The McCallum Graduate School
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 19, 2012
Dear Members of the Bentley Community:
We all learned about the tragic death of Qinpei (Vivian) Lin, a graduate student in our MSA program, on Friday evening and I know many are still struggling to comprehend the sudden loss of such a promising young life. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to her family. I know many who were close to Vivian and shared classes and friendship with her are also experiencing significant grief and sadness. Our thoughts and prayers are with each one of them as well.
Many members of our staff have been working throughout the weekend to make arrangements for Vivian’s family to travel here to Bentley, and to provide solace and support to her family, close friends, and classmates. They are also working on plans for a campus memorial service.
On behalf of the University, I want to thank everyone who has helped to manage this very difficult situation. I’d also like to express gratitude to the many people who tried to help Vivian immediately after the accident, including the first responders and hospital staffs.
I know that our Bentley community will band together during this difficult time. Please reach out to those who are mourning Vivian, if you can help at all. And also remember that the Student Counseling Center, the Spiritual Life Center, the Center for Health and Wellness, and the Graduate School offices are open as places of support and comfort. Information about the campus memorial will be shared as soon as it is available.
Sincerely,
Gloria Cordes Larson
President, Bentley University
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 16, 2012
Dear Members of the Bentley Community:
It is with great sadness that we inform you that Qinpei (Vivian) Lin, a member of the McCallum Graduate School community, died in a car accident today, Friday, March 16, 2012. The accident occurred while she was crossing Beaver Street in Waltham.
Vivian was pursuing a masters degree in Accounting and joined Bentley in fall 2010. She was 23 years old and originally from Chengdu, Sichuan, China. She graduated from Beijing Technology and Business University in July 2010 with a bachelor of science degree in International Economics and Trade. She had recently accepted a position with PwC in China.
During her undergraduate experience she worked at China Merchants Securities and at Kalyuan Group. Her extracurricular activities included working as the department head of the Accounting Association, vice president of the Finance Association, and section leader of the College Chorus.
We will share more information as we gather it, but we wanted our community to know the news as soon as possible. Arrangements for a campus memorial service will be forthcoming. If anyone on campus needs assistance in coping with this loss, they can always reach an administrator or staff member by calling University Police, day or night, at 781.891.3131.
Our hearts go out to Vivian’s family, friends and colleagues. This is such a tragedy for all who knew and loved this young woman.
Sincerely,
George F. Thompson, PhD
Assistant Dean, McCallum Graduate School
Lijie “Jessie” Yang
President, Graduate Student Association