'Positive, radiant' Abington student dies in plane crash in Buffalo

Sean Lang, 19, a student at Penn State Abington, died Thursday, Feb. 12, when the commuter plane carrying him to see his girlfriend for Valentine’s Day crashed into a house in suburban Buffalo, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground. Lang, a fourth semester student, planned to transfer to the University Park campus in the fall. His intended major was health policy and administration.

"Sean was the kind of student who stood out," reminisced Martha Leva, senior instructor of business who taught Lang in her personal finance seminar. "He was very positive, radiant and full of life. He exuded joy. Sean was very personable. He took the time to greet me as he came into my classroom. He made a connection with me and his fellow students. He didn’t do it for a good grade, or because it was politically correct. It was just his way; an outgoing person. He was a good human being. This is the cruelest blow; so unfair," said Leva, choking up.

Tom Callahan, lecturer of insurance, also taught Lang and reflected on his endearing attributes.

"I teach Insurance and Risk 301 at Penn State Abington. Sean Lang was a student in my class held on Tuesday evenings. He was a very nice young man and I liked having him in the class. The course deals with the property and liability risks faced by a corporation and the different ways the corporation can deal with risk. Sean quickly grasped the concept of liability risk and how companies could be liable to others. I think he had a lot of potential to grow in this area. He certainly had the interest. Sean’s classmates and I were very saddened to learn of his death. We hope that his family knows that we will miss Sean and that our thoughts are with them," said Callahan.

Lang also had a positive effect on his fellow students. Mark Mitsuuchi, a freshman business major, worked on a group project with Lang. "Sean was the motivator of our group. He took on the leadership role. If there was any tension due to the project he wouldn’t let it come between us. He was kind of like an older brother," reflected Mitsuuchi.

The campus community has been saddened by Lang’s death, according to Karen Wiley Sandler, chancellor of Penn State Abington. "It’s just a very tragic loss to the college, the University and to the family," said Sandler. "Our thoughts and prayers have been with the family since we heard."

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Lang is survived by parents John and Rana Lang and brothers Lonnie and Brett Cooper.