Willoughby 'someone a lot of people looked up to'

They remember his smile.

Whether working in a research lab, studying in his residence hall or jumping over the yellow posts outside of Best Buy, junior Gregory Willoughby was always smiling.

“I never saw him once without a smile on his face,” said senior Andrew Nejad, a resident assistant in the honors community Willoughby lived in during his freshman year.

Willoughby was found dead Tuesday in his room in Willkie Quad.

“We’re shocked and saddened and trying to come to grips with it,” said Wells Scholars Program Director Timothy Londergan.

Willoughby, a 2007 Wells Scholar, epitomized the qualities valued by the program, Londergan said. Academics, service and leadership were embedded into Willoughby’s life. His awards are numerous. A cursory glance at the organizations he was involved with identifies him as an engaged individual with a record that can only be categorized as impressive.

Willoughby, a biochemistry major, worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. He was also a cellist and served as co-principal chair in the All-Campus Orchestra in spring 2008. He was known to volunteer at the Monroe County Animal Shelter and the United Ministry Food Pantry.

“He had these lovely other dimensions to his personality and life,” Wells Scholars Program Associate Director Charlene Brown said.

While academics and research played a large role in his life — he spent his free time seeking out volunteers to run MRIs on for a research project — Willoughby’s sense of humor permeated his relationships.

“He knew how to make people laugh,” said junior Esther Uduehi, a friend of Willoughby’s since freshman year. 

Uduehi and Willoughby shared a love for both science and music. With two other friends, they formed a quartet called “Stringin’ Scientists.”  Sporting lab coats and goggles, the group performed at an informal Wells Scholars Program event. Willoughby, an accomplished cellist, topped off his outfit with a white wig.

An avid “30 Rock” fan, Willoughby often played video games. Last semester, the voices of Barry Manilow and Mariah Carey could be heard from his room. Willoughby also sat in the balcony with his fellow Wells Scholars when Yo-Yo Ma performed at the IU Auditorium in March.

Though Willkie residents describe the floors of Willkie as isolated and quiet, Willoughby’s floor freshman year was a tight community, characterized by open doors and a large floor-lounge.

Willoughby navigated a busy schedule and was known to be reserved and shy at times, but he was very much a part of the community, said senior and honors community RA Polina Kostylev.

“Everyone always felt comfortable talking to him and inviting him to events,” Kostylev said. "He’s impressive. He’s definitely someone a lot of people looked up to.”

Even living in an honors community, Willoughby stood out as an academic characterized by outstanding intelligence and sincerity, Kostylev said.

“He always knew what he wanted and was overall a smart and great guy,” Uduehi said.

At the end of January, Londergan approved Willoughby’s study abroad program for the summer — first a stint in Spain and then another in Italy. Londergan said Willoughby wanted to strengthen his skills in speaking Spanish so he could join the Peace Corps for a few years. From there, he planned to obtain his Ph.D. in chemistry.

“He’s a phenomenal person who had so much potential and was destined for great things,” Uduehi said. “He had so much ahead of him.”