The Duke community was notified of senior Billy Dwight’s death in an e-mail Wednesday night.
The circumstances surrounding his death have not been made public, though it did not occur in Durham County and foul play is unlikely, Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta wrote in the e-mail, sent at 10:12 p.m. An investigation regarding the death is being conducted by local authorities, Moneta said in an interview Wednesday night.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss and offer our deepest condolences to Billy’s friends and family,” he said.
Moneta said the incident does not indicate a threat to the Duke community. He was notified of Dwight’s death at approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Dwight, 23 and a native of Kernersville, N.C., studied psychology and conducted an independent research project on “Measurement of Stress Reactivity in Different Virtual Environments.” He was advised by Zachary Rosenthal, an assistant professor in the Duke University Medical Center’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.
Dwight graduated from North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. in 2005.
Moneta said he spoke to Dwight’s father Wednesday evening prior to notifying the Duke community. Information regarding arrangements for memorial services will be discussed later today.
University officials are asking that anyone at Duke who was close to Dwight contact the Office of Student Affairs or the dean on call.
The University is also offering support through grief counseling and aid at Counseling and Psychological Services. The dean on call can be reached at (919) 668-3853 and more information is available online at http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/deanofstudents/get-help.
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