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Jaime Yap Financial Aid Office undergraduate counselor Jaime Yap died Jan. 14 of a heart attack. Born in Cibu, the Philippines, in 1937, Yap worked at the university for 21 years, first at the library and for the last eight years as an undergraduate counselor. Co-workers remember him as a compassionate person who was very generous with his time. "In all the years I've worked with him," said co-worker Jennifer French, "I've never seen him make a decision that wasn't fair and just.....I used to be amazed at how he could make a story come alive by his emotional investment in the telling and reliving of an event and by his ability to care about people in trouble. His sense of humor and compassion could be discerned in the way... he made the complex decisions that a financial aid counselor must make every day. He took the time to consult with other staff members over a difficult decision and didn't just make a snap decision." Many students, learning of Yap's death, have written comments in a commemorative book outside the Financial Aid Office. "It seemed you had a great understanding of my every hardship and you always had a way of making things a little better," wrote one student. "You were very much loved here and your legacy will never be forgotten. I'll miss seeing you and dropping by your office and being greeted by your beautiful smile and warmth. May you rest in peace, my wonderful counselor." Yap is survived by his wife, Yolanda, and their 12-year-old daughter, Melissa. Members of the university community are invited to share their memories
of Yap at a celebration of his life, to be held March 2 from 3 to 5 p.m.
in Alumni House. For information call 643-8256.
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