Lucian Li ’26, a KEEP Scholar and member of the men’s lacrosse team, died July 18 after suffering injuries in a car accident the previous week in his home state of Pennsylvania. The rising sophomore from Ltitz was killed after his vehicle was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver.
Celestino Limas, vice president for student affairs, described Lucian in a note to the campus community as “someone who sought out all that Kenyon had to offer in his time with us” and “a caring friend to many.”
Lucian had a spark that drew others to him — and made them better for knowing him, said Jennifer McMahon, director of introductory labs in biology who taught him during the Kenyon Educational Enrichment Program (KEEP) summer experience and served as his academic advisor.
“He wasn’t a person who called attention to himself, but you couldn’t help but notice him,” she said. “He wanted to bring everybody into his space, which was a happy space. Because of that magnetism, that warmth, everybody just felt like they knew him and they liked him.”
The 19-year-old intended to declare biology as his major and study to become a physician, she said. He spoke Chinese and was proud of his Asian heritage — he lived in Taiwan for a few years as a youth — and he was a member of the men’s lacrosse team.
“You could definitely see that he was going to find a way to succeed,” McMahon said. “He was destined to be a great person — whatever that path was going to be.”
In many ways, Lucian embodied the selfless spirit that coaches try to impart to members of the lacrosse team, said Doug Misarti, head coach and assistant athletic director.
“He loved his teammates and he loved being out there. When I look at our team, he was really one of those ‘glue’ kind of guys when you look at our culture,” he said.
A long stick midfielder who wore No. 25, Lucian was a young player who was growing and developing his game. He scored his first goal last season against Wabash College.
Misarti called Lucian — who graduated from Manheim Township High School — a “very kind soul, always smiling, a terrific teammate.” He said the team is looking for ways to permanently memorialize him.
Teammate Owen Breen ’26 said Lucian was a hardworking scholar and athlete, but he stood out most of all for his good nature and friendliness.
“He was so personable. He knew everyone on Middle Path,” Breen said. “He was a very energetic person. A lot of the time, he was the life of anything we were doing. He always had the biggest smile on his face.”
Shaan Kamal ’26, who became friends with Lucian during their summer together as KEEP scholars, said he always showed interest in others and made sure they felt comfortable. He particularly cherishes one late-night conversation.
“He was very encouraging and he was telling me that I have so much potential and I’m going to live up to that,” Kamal said. “I was grateful to have that conversation with Lucian, and he really uplifted me.”
Lucian’s death is a loss for the whole Kenyon community, said Sasha Pauline Fanny-Holston ’11, assistant director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and program director for KEEP.
“I think people are going to miss the joy and the fun he brought,” she said. “Losing him is incredibly devastating.”
Survivors include his parents, Sarah Popdan and Eric Chen-Ta Li; sister Calla; and grandparents Bonnie and Bob Popdan and Gue-Fen Wu and Yu-Chen Li. A celebration of Lucian’s life took place July 28 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and an on-campus remembrance will occur during the fall semester.
The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the Live for Lucian fund to help others with “scholarships, fun and Big Dreams.”