Georgia Southern alum and American Airlines co-pilot Sam Lilley was killed last week when Flight No. 5342 collided with an Army helicopter midair over the Potomac River in D.C. Dr. Jin-Woo Kim, a marketing professor who taught Lilley, reminisced on their time together.
“He was generally quiet, but I did notice that he was very active in the classroom,” Kim said.
Lilley, 28, graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2018 with a degree in Marketing. Dr. Jin-Woo Kim, a professor at the Parker College of Business, had the opportunity to teach Lilley in 2017, as a part of his Principles of Advertising course.
After spending that class with Lilley, Kim wants people to remember his positivity and bright spirit.
“Whenever he came to class, he always showed me a smile and said hello. That is why I clearly remember him, even after eight years,” he said.
While remembering Lilley’s personality, Kim recalls a favorite memory from having him in class, when he assigned a group project. Although Lilley was generally on the quiet side, Kim will always remember how he stood out during this project.
“He was so active in his group,” Kim said. “He led the other group members and he was so funny. That is my favorite memory of him.”
While most people view the student-teacher relationship as a one-time thing, Kim makes a point to keep in touch with students post-graduation by checking in on their social media accounts and LinkedIn profiles.
“Outside the classroom and even after they graduate, I want to be good friends with my students, which is why I stay connected with them,” he said. “Whenever Sam posted that he got his pilot license, I liked it and left a comment for him. After Sam graduated, we kept exchanging comments and greetings here and there.”
Becoming a pilot is no easy feat and Kim believes that Lilley’s positive attitude carried him through.
“He faced so many challenges, but he was brave enough to accept, or accommodate, his difficulties to help with his future,” he said.
While mourning this loss, Kim expressed how proud he is to say that he had the opportunity to teach Lilley.
“Even though I can’t see him anymore, I want to share my good memories with him. His attitude, his energy, and his smile,” Kim stated.
Kim explained that every semester, he has his students read an article titled “Attitude,” written by Charles Swindoll. In the article, Swindoll talks about how life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it. Kim remembers Lilley leading his life just like that.
“Many people think it’s 90% what happens to you, and 10% how you react, but it really is the opposite,” he started. “Sam showed me that, and that comes from his bravery, which led him to success.”
Lilley grew up in Savannah and attended Richmond Hill High School. The school released a statement, reading, “The Richmond Hill High School community is heartbroken by the loss of Sam Lilley (‘14). A proud wildcat who left a lasting impression on those who knew him. His spirit, dedication, and impact will not be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family and friends as they navigate this difficult time.”
According to WTOC, Georgia Southern president Kyle Marrero released a statement last Thursday, stating, “The Georgia Southern community is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our outstanding alumni, Sam Lilley (‘18), who embodied the Eagle spirit and soared beyond in his career. We will continue to keep Sam’s family and friends in our thoughts as they grieve this tragedy.”
To learn more about the victims of this incident, read this BBC article. For live updates on the ongoing investigation, click here.