2005

I would like to welcome you all to the first Dongju Lee Memorial Lecture. I was asked by Professor Ling to say a few words about my friend DJ. I was a labmate and classmate of DJ’s from 2000 until his untimely death in 2003. We shared a lot of good times together – studying for tests, preparing specimens for lab testing and laughing at each other’s attempt at the other’s language! DJ was a very diligent student. It was not uncommon for him to study through the night, several nights in a row with very little rest. This was usually done so he could really understand a subject. See DJ didn’t like to know just enough to pass the test. He had a genuine interest in learning a subject – from the bottom up. This is part of the reason that DJ was “in charge” of the lab equipment here at Columbia University. He had such a good working knowledge of the equipment through nonstop studying and constant practice. He literally knew every working part to every machine in the lab. Any questions about electronic connections or transducer problems – ask DJ. He was very important in the life of the lab. Even up to a few days before he passed away, he was working with me on a plane strain test. For a short time, he even made the lab his home as he brought in a sleeping bag and pillow. Of course this was in between moves, but it could just as easily have been because he was running an important test that needed 24 hour monitoring. He was very dedicated to say the least. He was also very loyal- to the lab, to his friends, to his family and of course to his wife. He loved his wife dearly. He had to be separated from her as he started his studies here in New York while she finished hers in Seoul, South Korea. He hated that lonely time in his life and would often tell us how he missed her. He kept his hours as close as possible to Korea time so he could talk to her during “normal” hours. They surely weren’t normal to us, but what did we know. Eventually Hyejin, his wife, came to New York and he showed a change immediately. He was certainly much happier. I would say he was more pleasant to be around, except that wouldn’t be true. You see he was always pleasant to be around, even when he was at his loneliest. He would never hesitate to help a friend out. He would never say no to a reasonable request. He even came to Japan to help me finish the experimental portion of my doctoral program. He cut short his visit home to Korea to do so. That is loyalty. That is friendship. That is what Dongju Lee was about.

Welcome to the lecture! (Yumiko san)	Cookies and drinks (Alicia Hughes)	DJ Memorial Lecture	Introducing Guest Speaker (Hoe Ling)
Memory about DJ (Chris Burke)	Presentation by Prof. Bray	Prof. Bray answering questions	A souvenir presented by Prof. Deodatis on behalf of the Department
The Plaque for DJ Memorial Lecture	Discussion after the Lecture by Ahmet Pamuk	Dinner at the Faculty House (Hoe Ling, Jon Bray, Christian Meyer, Xi Chen)