It has been nearly a year since Longwood University’s beloved communication studies professor Dr. Bill Stuart passed away suddenly.
His spirit his still very much alive on campus and affects the students of Longwood. The anniversary of his passing will feature the event 44 for Bill. Stuart was 44 when he passed, and in return, individuals are asked to perform 44 kind acts in his memories.
His wife, Amy, spoke fondly of her late husband to The Rotunda.
Amy said that Stuart earned his bachelor’s degree at U.Va. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill in order to earn his masters degree, then attending the University of Kansas to obtain a Ph.D.
According to Amy, Bill came to Longwood University “right out of graduate school. It was his first job.”
Stuart wanted to be close to where he lived, which was Richmond, and he was enthusiastic about the new communication studies department.” Stuart taught at Longwood for 13 years.
As for 44 for Bill, Amy said, “Bill would have been flattered that he was getting the remembrance service. But he would want to emphasize the good deeds that people were doing and not focus on himself. “
Amy also explained, “Random acts of kindness have been a way that people have been honoring Bill’s memory. The reason for that is because he went out of his way to help people on a daily basis. He made sure people were rewarded for a job well done.”
Amy believes that her husband would have been “very pleased with the direction that Longwood is going in. He was always proud whenever Longwood was in the paper or on TV. It made his day.”
There are many different ways to honor Stuart’s memory.
Some of the ways listed on the event page include: taking part in service projects at one's business or university, bringing a pie to a neighbor who lives on their own because "Bill always said you should bring pie if you went calling on a neighbor," donating to local food banks, buying everyday necessities for someone who needs help and many more kind acts.
“Think about what you are going to say before you say it,” said Amy.
“You should always try to look for new experiences and new challenges. Do things to make yourself proud, and take the time to listen to each other. Be kind to each other.”
