Erik Thurman, a vice president at the University of Minnesota Foundation, has been named vice president for development and alumni relations at St. Thomas.
President Julie Sullivan announced the appointment of Thurman, who will join St. Thomas on Aug. 1. He will oversee the Development and Advancement departments and their 70 staff members.
“I am delighted that Erik will become a member of the St. Thomas community and lead our development and advancement programs,” Sullivan said. “His two decades of experience at the University of Minnesota and the University of Iowa have perfectly prepared him to oversee our fundraising efforts. In addition, he is a man of strong values and integrity, the consummate professional and a strategic thinker, and someone I know I will enjoy working with very much.”
Thurman said he was content in his role as vice president of development, corporate and foundation relations and principal giving at Minnesota, but was drawn to the St. Thomas position for many reasons.
“I’m thrilled with the opportunity to work with President Sullivan, the Board of Trustees, a team of talented advancement professionals, alumni, benefactors and the entire St. Thomas community to deliver on what I think is such a compelling mission of advancing the common good,” he said. “That is in close alignment with my personal faith and values, and those of my family."
He added, “The work we do together to support this important mission will have an impact on St. Thomas today and for generations to come.”
Thurman is impressed with St. Thomas’ evolution into a comprehensive university and believes “you are clearly poised for the next chapter. It will be rewarding to embrace the momentum you have built and to help in taking the next steps to further enhance the student experience.”
