Student dies in fall from 'Grad'

A University student died after falling from the top of the Hatcher Graduate Library on Tuesday, May 6.

Cho

David Cho, who had just completed his first year in the College of Engineering, was found on the ground near the southwest corner of the Graduate Library shortly before 10 p.m. last Tuesday. Huron Valley Ambulance responded to a call at about 9:50 p.m., but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Cho was pronounced dead upon arrival at University Hospital.

University Spokesperson Julie Peterson said the Department of Public Safety is calling the incident a "suspicious death" and will continue investigating the case in the next few weeks.

"There is no indication of foul play," Peterson said.

Peterson said DPS is considering a number of possible causes of the incident, including suicide and accidental death. She said DPS still does not know if there was anyone with Cho while he was on the roof of the Graduate Library on the night he died.

LSA sophomore Matt Augustyn, who was Cho's roommate in Couzens Residence Hall, said Cho went out to dinner with his parents earlier that evening and had gone to the Graduate Library by himself.

"He had a job doing research for a professor of his and that's why he was at the library," Augustyn said.

DPS Sgt. Tim Shannon said the roof of the Graduate Library is not a common "hangout" for students.

"It's very high and it's not particularly safe to be up there unless you know what you're doing," Shannon said.

Young Ho Cho, David's father and a pastor at New Hope Baptist Church in East Lansing, said nearly 400 people attended his son's funeral last Friday at the Nie funeral home in Ann Arbor.

"I know my son was very religious and we buried him very high," Young Ho Cho said.

LSA junior Leah Dawson said the funeral was very religious and the service focused on David's life and his importance in the lives of others.

"(At the funeral, they talked about how) he always really made people feel like they had something to work for," Dawson said.

Augustyn said Cho was the type of person who didn't seem to let things bother him.

"I remember times when he'd be up at 5 a.m. typing a paper and he'd be joking about it," Augustyn said.

He was "excited about life," Augustyn said.

"He always told the truth and never tried to put on a front," Augustyn said. "He was laid-back and easygoing, and he always showed people that he really cared about them.

"He was an honest and loyal friend - one of those kids you could always get along with and feel comfortable with," Augustyn said.

LSA junior Lawrence Cho said his brother David displayed perseverance and diligence in both school and sports.

"He touched so many lives," Lawrence Cho said.

David Cho played soccer, volleyball, varsity basketball and was a member of the orchestra at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School from where he graduated with honors in 1996.

He was the recipient of the University's Bob Ufer Scholarship, the University's Westhall Scholarship and was on the School of Engineering Dean's Honors list. He was also a member of Korean Campus Crusade for Christ, as well as Hope English Chapel Korean Church of Ann Arbor.

Keith Wade, who was David's high school basketball coach, said David "immediately won over all the guys on the team during tryouts.

"He was always happy, always at practice and having fun, regardless of what his situation was," Wade said.

David Cho is succeeded by his parents, Pastor Young Ho and Hyun-Sim Cho, his brother Lawrence Cho and his sister Sarah Cho. He was living with his parents in Ann Arbor at the time of his death.

Young Ho Cho said he is very grateful to all the students and friends who have called and sent cards to the family.

He said the support has helped the Cho family cope with his son's death. He encouraged David's friends to stay in contact with the family.

University Counseling and Psychological Services is providing counseling for members of the Ann Arbor community who are mourning Cho's untimely death.

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