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Tuesday, March 19
The Indiana Daily Student

Yaolin Wang remembered as proud, diligent

Family of Yaolin Wang remember her as proud, diligent and driven. Wang was murdered on Sept. 30 from stab wounds. She was a junior that transferred to IU this fall to pursue a degree in business.

Yaolin Wang was a proud young woman, very proud, her father, Mr. Wang said.

The 21-year-old IU junior died Sept. 30, from multiple stab wounds purportedly inflicted by her 
boyfriend, Chaunlin Xiao.

Yaolin was born and raised in a province of central China and traveled to the United States to pursue her undergraduate studies in business. She graduated from North Seattle Community College with an associate’s degree in business. She then transferred to IU this fall to pursue a degree from the Kelley School of Business.

Yaolin had one older sister who Wang said she was close with and one younger brother who is 13 years old. Every time she would visit China, she would bring something special for her brother. All her time visiting would be devoted to playing and taking care of him, 
Wang said.

“If she had a problem or issue, she didn’t want to bother others with her problems and issues,” Wang said. “She consistently made the other people in her life the priority. When any family member texted her from China, she would immediately say ‘I’m very good, I’m fine.’”

Wang said one of the most recent exciting things to happen to Yaolin in her life was getting accepted to IU.

“She was so excited to have this opportunity,” Wang said.

Only at IU for a short amount of time, Yaolin had a small group of friends within the Hoosier 
community.

“Yaolin was very quiet, but a very sweet girl,” said Wanlin He, an IU sophomore and friend of Yaolin.

Three weeks ago, Wang visited Yaolin at IU to celebrate her 21st birthday.

“When I saw her, I couldn’t be more than happy,” Wang said.

On this visit, Yaolin brought her father around campus and the school to show off IU. At one point during the tour, they passed famous alumni statues. Wang told her she should treat these as role models and work hard toward this goal.

“Yaolin said, ‘I promise to study hard, make good friends and to learn from my professors,’” Wang said. “She said, ‘I will make you proud.’”

Yaolin’s father also recalled from his visit noticing that Yaolin didn’t have a television. He offered to get one for her but she responded she had such a busy schedule and didn’t have time for television. He then inquired about an international calling card to call home and speak with her family. Yaolin again responded “no” and said it was too expensive and it was easier just to 
communicate through apps.

“Yaolin was so thoughtful and so good with money and didn’t want to waste 
anything,” Wang said.

Wang said he wanted to use the story of Yaolin to help others in the same situation.

“As a parent I want to convey, especially for the international students and then especially for the daughters, don’t keep everything inside,” Wang said. “Communicate with your parents. Use the legal resources that you have around you. I encourage the international students to call home more often and tell your family you are safe so that it prevents the hurt that a parent experiences in any tragic 
situation.”

Wang said his daughter was diligent and hardworking.

“She was always trying to improve herself,” Wang said.

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