Dear UAH Community,
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Joseph “Joey” Watson, associate professor in the Department of Music, Theatre, and Film within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Joey passed away Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Joey joined UAH as an assistant professor in August 2018 and was promoted to associate professor in August 2025. During his time at UAH, he made a significant impact through his teaching, filmmaking and creative work, particularly within the Theatre and Film program.
Amy Guerin, associate professor and program director of Theatre & Film, shared this tribute:
“Joey was a beloved mentor to his students and a dedicated colleague within the Department of Music, Theatre and Film. His passion for filmmaking took him to abandoned theme parks, had him shooting a feature film across Huntsville, and brought him back to his love of horror movies with his live cinema adaptation of Night of the Living Dead, being produced by UAH Theatre and Film this fall. Joey's classes were always full and he was the kind of professor that got down in the trenches with the students during projects. ‘Dr. J,’ as both his students and colleagues called him, was truly one of a kind, and we will miss him deeply.”
Joey’s impact on his students, his colleagues and the UAH Theatre and Film community will be remembered. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, students and colleagues during this difficult time.
Counseling services are available for those in the UAH community who need support. Details are provided below.
Information about arrangements or opportunities to honor Joey’s memory will be shared with the campus community when available.
Support and Counseling Services for Students
Counseling services are available to help students navigate grief and other difficult emotions during this time. Students in need of support are encouraged to reach out to the UAH Counseling Center.
Support and Counseling Services for Faculty and Staff
The University's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offered through our partnership with ComPsych, provides emotional support and counseling services to help as you grieve this loss. We encourage you to take advantage of these confidential and free services.
EAP contact information:
· Website: guidanceresources.com (Web ID: "UAS")
· UAH EAP Webpage: https://www.uah.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/eap
· 24/7 Support Line: 888.283.3515Additional information on resources available through the EAP is provided on the Human Resources page. Please do not hesitate to contact the Human Resources team if you have any questions or need additional information.