BIDDEFORD, Maine -- After more than 28 years at the University of New England, Dennis Leighton, DPT is retiring at the conclusion of the Fall 2020 semester. Since 1996, he has been serving the Nor'easters as the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), in addition to his academic responsibilities.

"Being involved with the Department of Athletics at UNE for the past 24 years has been beyond enjoyable," Leighton reflected. "It has been so rewarding to have had the opportunity to establish a relationship with the student-athletes and provide them with guidance as they have progressed academically. The coaches and administrators in the department have made my job as Faculty Athletics Representative so fulfilling. They are the best and truly support the NCAA Division III model where students come first and academics is why they are in school. My hearty thanks to everyone I have worked with."

Leighton started at UNE in 1992 and went until 2016 as an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy. In August 2016, he was appointed to the University's position of Associate Provost for Student Success, working to enhance the student experience at UNE by overseeing the expansion of academic advising, the restructure of the Student Academic Success Center, implementation of several student-centered apps, and the development of operations policies for the Ripich Commons.

As Faculty Athletics Representative, Leighton has been very involved with athletics at the institutional, conference, and national levels. At UNE, he has served as a senior advisor to the president on matters related to the Athletics Department. He served on numerous Athletics search committees over the years, for administrators and coaches. Leighton was also the faculty advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) from 1999 to 2004, and the chair of the Athletics Advisory Committee from 2003 to 2017. He has been the Chapter President of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society since 2003. Additionally, Leighton has been a regular supporter of the Nor'easter teams in the stands and on the sidelines, on top of helping staff contests in a variety of sports.

Leighton's FAR work has included serving as the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) liaison from 2003 to 2018. He has been widely-respected within Faculty Athletics Representatives Association, and served on the Executive Committee from 2003 to 2016. Leighton was the Vice President of the Association in 2005, President in 2007, and Secretary-Treasurer for the next nine years. He was chosen recipient of FARA's prestigious David Knight Award in October 2017. On top of those roles, Leighton served on the NCAA Division III Management Council (2014-18), and the NCAA Division III Nominating Committee (2011-15).

In May 2020, he was announced as part of the next UNE Varsity Club Athletics Hall of Fame induction class, for all his years of dedication to Nor'easter athletics and elevating the student-athlete experience while representing UNE far beyond Biddeford.

"I cannot thank Dennis enough for his 24 years of service to UNE Athletics," commented Director of Athletics Heather Davis. "He has been a stalwart advocate for our student-athletes and the resident expert on all NCAA matters. I wish him all the best for his retirement."

UNE President James Herbert announced in late November that former student-athlete and athletic trainer in the department, Kristen Bailey '02, will assume Leighton's responsibilities as Faculty Athletics Representative. Bailey has been a clinical professor at her alma mater since 2006.