Kirkland Mourns Apparent Suicide

Chang H. Jo '00, a Kirkland House biochemistry concentrator, died yesterday in what College officials said was an apparent suicide. He was 20 years old.

Jo was found unconscious in his dormitory room shortly after 10 a.m., according to a University press release. His absence at a scheduled meeting prompted Senior Tutor Mark P. Risinger to look for Jo in his room on the third floor of the House's H-entry.

The student was transported to Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, where he was pronounced dead at about 11:30 a.m.

Student and Faculty who knew Jo--who entered the College as part of the Class of 2000 and accepted advanced standing status before taking a year off to work for a financial firm in New York City--said he was exceptionally dedicated to his academics.

"He was passionate about math and music, but was brilliant all-around," said Peter S. Manasantivongs '99, a friend from high school who has known Jo for eight years.

Jo's work on cellular mechanisms of the immune system in the laboratory of Higgins Professor of Biochemistry Jack L. Strominger '46 was the subject of two recently submitted research papers that Jo had co-authored.

"People in his lab and also his advisers and friends all described him as a very talented, but modest person," Risinger said.

Jo, who approached Strominger two years ago to express interest in joining the lab, did research for the professor both before and after his time off.

However, friends said his talents went beyond the laboratory.

Jessica A. Bowen '00, one of Jo's friends from their first year at college and a member of his blocking group, said that despite his dedication to his studies, Jo was always available to help other students with homework. A-1

"Even freshman year he was taking morechemistry and physics classes than anyone else inour entryway, but he was always willing to helpother people," Bowen said.

She said many will remember Jo for his habit ofclearing other people's trays in the dining hallfor them.

"Even at Annenberg with those big oak tables,he would get up and take three people's trays,"Bowen said.

Bowen, who also stressed Jo's thoughtfulness,said she and other friends felt Jo's death was"very unexpected."

Vice President of the Mozart Society Orchestra(MSO) David Y. Oh '00, who was also Jo's roommateover the summer, said he encouraged Jo, a violaplayer, to join the MSO.

Oh said Jo was an active participant throughoutthe year and played in several orchestra pits forcampus dramatic productions, including the DunsterHouse Opera Society's recent show, Candid.

Other friends said in addition to Jo's superiorcommitment to his academics and music, he was a"kind, generous and fun friend."

Won S. Shin '00, one of Jo's friends inKirkland House, said that although Jo may haveseemed "quiet and shy" to people who did not knowhim, he was "always quick to lend a hand or make ajoke."

Shin remembered his own birthday dinnercelebration as a first-year, when Jo had to leavethe restaurant before eating.

"When the rest of us were done and asked forthe check, we discovered that Chang had discreetlypaid for all of us," Shin wrote in an e-mailmessage. "Chang was truly a unique and specialhuman being. He will be sorely missed becausethere will never be anyone else like him."

Kirkland House administrators held a meetingyesterday afternoon to help friends and housematesdeal with the sudden loss.

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68, who waspresent at the meeting, expressed his sorrow.

"Any time a student at the College who has suchpromise for the future dies in any way, I feel animmediate sense of grief," Lewis said. "We are acommunity and a family, and we should try to helpeach other."

Also on hand at the meeting wererepresentatives from campus mental healthresources and counseling groups. They stressed theimportance of forming a cohesive support system.

Dr. Richard D. Kadison, chief of Harvard'smental health services, said the University HealthServices' (UHS) urgent care hours will beincreased over the next few days.

"We're trying to reach out and make ourselvesavailable...and we will follow up after the dustsettles," Kadison said.

He suggested that, in some cases, publicizedsuicides can prompt other students to follow suit.

"For anyone else who has been feelingdesperate, it can get them thinking that [suicide]is a reality," he said.

The Bureau of Study Counsel is also offeringcounseling to Harvard students. Bureau DirectorCharles P. Ducey said he hopes students will talkto each other about the loss as well.

"Talking helps people make sense of things thatare tragic," Ducey said.

Jo leaves two parents, Kuk Nam and Jong Geum Joof Cerritos, Calif., and an older brother, ChangB. Jo '93, of New York City.

Bowen said friends are in the process ofplanning a memorial for Jo

"Even freshman year he was taking morechemistry and physics classes than anyone else inour entryway, but he was always willing to helpother people," Bowen said.

She said many will remember Jo for his habit ofclearing other people's trays in the dining hallfor them.

"Even at Annenberg with those big oak tables,he would get up and take three people's trays,"Bowen said.

Bowen, who also stressed Jo's thoughtfulness,said she and other friends felt Jo's death was"very unexpected."

Vice President of the Mozart Society Orchestra(MSO) David Y. Oh '00, who was also Jo's roommateover the summer, said he encouraged Jo, a violaplayer, to join the MSO.

Oh said Jo was an active participant throughoutthe year and played in several orchestra pits forcampus dramatic productions, including the DunsterHouse Opera Society's recent show, Candid.

Other friends said in addition to Jo's superiorcommitment to his academics and music, he was a"kind, generous and fun friend."

Won S. Shin '00, one of Jo's friends inKirkland House, said that although Jo may haveseemed "quiet and shy" to people who did not knowhim, he was "always quick to lend a hand or make ajoke."

Shin remembered his own birthday dinnercelebration as a first-year, when Jo had to leavethe restaurant before eating.

"When the rest of us were done and asked forthe check, we discovered that Chang had discreetlypaid for all of us," Shin wrote in an e-mailmessage. "Chang was truly a unique and specialhuman being. He will be sorely missed becausethere will never be anyone else like him."

Kirkland House administrators held a meetingyesterday afternoon to help friends and housematesdeal with the sudden loss.

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68, who waspresent at the meeting, expressed his sorrow.

"Any time a student at the College who has suchpromise for the future dies in any way, I feel animmediate sense of grief," Lewis said. "We are acommunity and a family, and we should try to helpeach other."

Also on hand at the meeting wererepresentatives from campus mental healthresources and counseling groups. They stressed theimportance of forming a cohesive support system.

Dr. Richard D. Kadison, chief of Harvard'smental health services, said the University HealthServices' (UHS) urgent care hours will beincreased over the next few days.

"We're trying to reach out and make ourselvesavailable...and we will follow up after the dustsettles," Kadison said.

He suggested that, in some cases, publicizedsuicides can prompt other students to follow suit.

"For anyone else who has been feelingdesperate, it can get them thinking that [suicide]is a reality," he said.

The Bureau of Study Counsel is also offeringcounseling to Harvard students. Bureau DirectorCharles P. Ducey said he hopes students will talkto each other about the loss as well.

"Talking helps people make sense of things thatare tragic," Ducey said.

Jo leaves two parents, Kuk Nam and Jong Geum Joof Cerritos, Calif., and an older brother, ChangB. Jo '93, of New York City.

Bowen said friends are in the process ofplanning a memorial for Jo