Beloved Professor Matthew Hilton-Watson Passes Suddenly

It is with extraordinary sadness that we announce that Associate Professor Matthew Hilton-Watson passed away unexpectedly Monday afternoon. Matt was in the midst of doing what he loved—teaching students.

Words cannot fully describe what Matt meant to his students. He embodied all that is good about our profession. He gave of himself tirelessly, always trying to find a better way. His enthusiasm, his passion and his love of knowledge were infectious and inspiring. Many members of the campus community have very fond memories of Matt. He was simply everywhere, doing all he could for our university. That was Matt.

Matthew was the Associate Professor of Foreign Languages and Department Chair of the Foreign Languages Department as well as the Director of the International and Global Studies Program. He was also heavily involved in the Honors Program, working with Honors students. No stranger to spearheading new projects, Matthew was working with the Cultural Center planetarium to do "Poetry Under the Stars," a special program that highlighted foreign languages. He also recently lead a group of students to Montreal, Canada for an alternative spring break experience. His contributions to this campus are numerous and valuable.

Matt was a teacher, a scholar, a leader – a colleague and a friend. This is a personal and devastating loss to all who knew him. And all of us who knew him, loved him.

Please keep Sarah and their children in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the family.

The family of Professor Matthew Hilton-Watson has requested that the memorial service be held at the University of Michigan-Flint. The memorial service will take place on Friday, March 27 at 3:00 p.m. in the University Theatre. There will be a reception in Michigan Rooms C & D following the service. The entire campus community is invited to the celebration of Dr. Matt's life and work.

~You may leave a message of remembrance in the Comments section below or on the "Remembering Dr. Matt" online tribute~