51°µÍø

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In Memoriam: Curtis Willey

It is with great sadness that I share the news that University of New England student Curtis Willey, DPT Class of 2013, died unexpectedly yesterday while swimming.

Curtis was a highly engaged and committed student.  He was a midlife career-changer whose path to 51°µÍø was intentional and passionate, including taking several years of prerequisite courses to support his decision to enter the DPT program.  

He was very outgoing and made many friends among 51°µÍø students and faculty alike, who appreciated Curtis' insights and passion about his family and chosen career path.  Curtis was also a US Marine Corps veteran who served in the Gulf War.

We offer our deepest sympathies to Curtis' wife, Brittany, and their three young children.  At this time, calling hours and funeral arrangements have not been completed. We will share this information as soon as it becomes available.

University Counseling Services is available to the 51°µÍø community for support and assistance, and can be reached at 602-2549. 

Danielle N. Ripich
President

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, physician assistant program, and pharmacy school, in addition to a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.