Farewell to Bill Croninger

On behalf of the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department at the University of New England, I would like to acknowledge William R. Croninger, MA, OTR/L for his 22 years of service to the OT Department and University of New England.   Bill received his BA in Psychology and MA in Guidance and Counseling from Adams State College , Colorado and a BS in OT at UNE.  He joined the OT faculty in July 1989.  Over the years, Bill  has taught a variety of courses in the OT curriculum, including Introduction to OT, Gross Anatomy, Kinesiology, Problem Based Learning, Research Methods, Dimensions of Adulthood (physical dysfunction), and Problems of the Upper Extremity.  Students continually cite his willingness to advocate for them and his ability to clarify difficult topics.  He has served in many roles within the department and university, including RPT committee, technology liaison, ergonomics committee, undergraduate curriculum coordinator, and as advisor to students.  As an acknowledgement to his dedication to the students, they selected him as Advisor of the Year (2011).

Bill practices at Maine Medical Center per diem and serves as the college Liaison for the MMC – UNE partnership initiative.  After serving in the U.S. Army for 22 years, including a tour in Vietnam, he retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He continues to advocate for soldiers by engaging in research to help practitioners better understand veterans. His current research analyzes the themes found in blog writings of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.
 
One of the first to introduce computers to the department, Bill served in the role of technology assistant to faculty. Bill has published several textbook chapters in the areas of software, data collection, documentation and assistive technology.  He has participated in numerous workshops and short courses on topics ranging from technology to upper extremity functioning.  He continues to pursue his interests in photography and woodworking. 

In lieu of a reception, Bill has elected to leave the OT Department with a gift which will be sponsored by the WCHP Dean’s office.  He has decided to purchase standardized OT assessments which will benefit the students for many years to come.

We are sincerely grateful for this donation and wish Bill and his family the best in their new adventures.

Jane O’Brien, PhD, OTR/L
Associate Professor, Program Director
Occupational Therapy Department

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 flexible, accredited online degrees. 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. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.