Yaolin Wang was a student at IU whose life ended early because of senseless violence. Yaolin’s family has set up an endowment in her memory. Read more about Yaolin and the endowment here.
About the Yaolin Wang Endowment
Support the endowment
About Yaolin
Yaolin Wang was from Jiyuan city in the northwestern part of Henan province of the People’s Republic of China. When she was in high school, she dreamed of studying abroad in the United States. She worked hard to learn English, and realized her dream in June 2013 when she moved to Seattle to continue her education. When she was at North Seattle Community College, she faced many difficulties from living in a different country. However, this did not discourage her. She overcame them and integrated herself into her new life in the United States.
Yaolin was admitted to IU for the fall 2015 semester as a transfer student to study business. She planned to travel around the world, especially to Paris, after she graduated. After that, she planned to start her own business to help people who need it most. She also wanted to live in a house with a big garden where she could have many plants and pets, read books, and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
Although she was only at IU for a short time, Yaolin quickly immersed herself in the campus, including joining the IU Angel Model Club. She celebrated her 21st birthday on September 18, 2015. Just days later, her life was ended by an assailant.
Yaolin was a wonderful daughter, sister, friend, and student. She is greatly missed by all.
About the Wang Endowment
Yaolin’s family decided to create the Yaolin Wang Endowment in the hope that Yaolin’s story will help prevent similar tragedies from happening to another student, family, and the Indiana University community. The endowment supports a comprehensive array of programs and services in our office to ensure that international students:
- University-wide initiative to stop sexual, dating, and domestic violence, Stop Sexual Violence.
- Sexual Assault Crisis Services (SACS) provides free counseling to students who have experience sexual violence.
- IU Confidential Victim Advocates provide free, confidential support to provide students with options, connect students to resources, and assist in resolving any resulting university related issues.
- Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes designed especially for women to teach realistic self defense tactis.
- Raising Awareness of Interactions in Sexual Encounters (RAISEIU) student-led organization whose goal is to educate IU Bloomington students about sexual assault, relationship violence, and gendered communication.
- The IU Police Department (IUPD) is available for free to help in any emergency or safety situation. The police officers are friendly and helpful and will provide timely assistance.
- IUPD2 program to address personal safety awareness and risk minimization for females. This program is not regularly scheduled, but offered as requested. IUPD can provide this 1.5-2 hour long program as often as requested in any room and has no equipment needs. Contact IUPD to schedule a program with you or your group.
- IU Ride provides free, safe rides to anywhere in Bloomington city limits. Learn how to request a ride or call (812) 855-SAFE.
- Everyone in the United States has the right to personal safety. No matter your immigration status, you are encouraged to seek help if you need it.
- Student Legal Services (SLS) is your source for complete and confidential legal advice. If you pay the IU student activity fee, this service is also free. SLS is a non-profit, on-campus law office serving only IU students. The staff are highly qualified attorneys and legal interns and are available to help you find the solution to your legal situation.
- You can often find help for various situations by contacting your country’s embassy.
- Get to a safe place and call 911 (this is the free, emergency reporting phone number available in the entire United States).
- Seek medical attention if you need it.
- Contact the IU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
- Seek help.
- Consider reporting the incident.