Chuanchuan “Kurtis” Zhang, a graduate student at the Brandeis International Business School, has passed away, according to a Nov. 20 email from University President Ron Liebowitz and Interim Dean of IBS Peter Petri. He was 23 years old. 

At Brandeis Zhang was a candidate for a Master of Arts in International Economics and Finance. He was a part of the Leadership Fellows Program where he was chosen for his “dedication to the community” as an advisor to first-year graduate students at IBS, according to the email. 

He was a part of the Global Markets and Investment Club, the Association of Latino Professionals for America IBS Chapter and the Private Equity and Venture Capital Club, where he served as a vice president, according to his LinkedIn. Zhang also worked as a teaching assistant for his favorite class, Prof. Michael McKay’s (IBS) Private Equity course. 

Zhang came to Brandeis from Chongqing, China. As an undergraduate student he attended Zhejiang University where he received his Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering. He also completed an exchange program at the University of California-Davis in Fall 2015. 

“Losing a fellow student is incredibly difficult. In the days ahead, we must look out for one another, and give heartfelt compassion and support to all who need it,” Liebowitz wrote in the email. 

He also included a list of resources in his email which include Mandarin-speaking counselors who will be available through the weekend. 

There will be a community gathering on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. in Lee Hall for those who wish to come together and remember Zhang. 

—Kirby Kochanowski