Under the light of a full moon, students gathered outside Clara Dickson Hall last night for a candle light vigil to remember Boon Jim Lim ’13, who was found dead in his dorm room on Oct. 19. A stereo played soft music in the background as Lim, an Arts and Sciences student from Malaysia, was remembered for his quick smile and inquisitive nature.

“With our prayers and with our intentions, may the soul of Boon Jim Lim rest in peace” Rev. Janet Shortall, associate director of Cornell United Religious Work, said during the vigil.

“Our community is diminished by the loss of one so young,” she said.Remembered: In the courtyard of Dickson Hall, friends of Boon Jim Lim ’13 remember his life and grieve his death yesterday during a candle light vigil in his honor.

“We wish he were still with us, and so we grieve,” said Paul Epp, Pastor of English Ministry at First Ithaca Chinese Christian Church.

Epp asked the crowd for a moment of silence to reflect on their memories of Lim and to pray for Lim and his family.

Edgar Lei ’08, a member of Chinese Bible Study, spoke during the vigil and described meeting Lim during orientation week. Although Lim was not Christian, he was interested in joining Chinese Bible Study and asked many questions about Christianity, Lei said.

“Boon Jim always seemed so open-minded,” he said. “I had known him for only a short while, yet his impact on me was great. A deep sadness welled up in my heart” after learning he had died, Lei said.

Richard Wang ’11 also met Lim through Chinese Bible Study. Lim was very inquisitive and was always asking questions, Wang said after the vigil. But that was not his most memorable feature.

“I’m sure a lot of people know him for his smile,” Wang said.

Lim’s body was found in his bed early on the morning of Oct. 19 by his resident advisor. Lim’s death was investigated by the Cornell University Police Department, but the results of the investigation have not been made public.

The Malaysian ambassador to the United States was at the airport to meet Lim’s body when it arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, according to The Star, an English-language newspaper in Malaysia.

Lim came to Cornell to study economics on a Public Service Department scholarship from the Malaysian government, The Star reported.

Lim’s father told The Star his son loved playing chess and participating in public speaking competitions.

Risa Naka ’11 spent time with Lim in the Japan U.S. Association.

“He was quiet, but really helpful,” Naka said. “[Lim] always had a big fat grin on his face,” she added.

Kent Hubbell ’67, dean of students, was unable to attend the vigil due to an illness, but wrote a letter to represent the University.

“Despite his all-too-brief time at Cornell, Boon Jim Lim will forever be in our thoughts and our hearts as a true Cornellian,” Hubbell wrote.

Lei, from Chinese Bible Study, said he was happy for the privilege of knowing Lim.

“His wonderfully happy smile lit up whatever room he was in,” Lei said. “[Lim] spoke with gentleness and grace”

After students extinguished their candles, they walked into Dickson Hall to sign a book of condolences that will be sent to Lim’s family. The book was created by the Malaysian Student Association to tell Lim’s family “how he affected our lives,” said Wei Chan grad, president of the association.

Shortall, from Cornell United Religious Work, urged those at the vigil to extend care and concern for each other in the days ahead.

“Pause to give thanks for the friendships that support us all at Cornell,” she said.