Andrew Leavitt, Ph.D. Chancellor | Official website
Andrew Leavitt, Ph.D. Chancellor | Official website
Dan Thome, a 1985 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) with degrees in accounting and finance, will be honored with the 2024 UWO Outstanding Alumni Service Award during Homecoming weekend next month. Thome, who resides in Appleton, is a managing member of Axiom Advisors and credits his college years for shaping his professional and personal life.
Thome's connection to UWO began as a student-athlete excelling in track and cross country. He lettered all four years and was elected captain in both sports. His athletic achievements included scoring multiple times in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
Jamie Pollard, a friend and former teammate, praised Thome's dedication: “I have known Dan since I met him as a college teammate in 1983,” Pollard said. “During that time, I have never met someone who bleeds UW-Oshkosh more than Dan Thome.”
Matt Lewis, head coach of the UWO Men’s Basketball team, highlighted Thome's contributions: “He has served on UWO Foundation Committees, been active in the College of Business, and been an active member of the UWO Letterwinner’s organization."
Thome's service extends beyond UWO. He has been involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation board (JDRF), contributed to the Community Foundation of Fox Cities, and founded Junior Patriots Baseball in 2013.
A notable act of kindness was when Thome purchased a winter home near his former track coach John Zupanc to offer support while Zupanc cared for his wife. Pollard described this as “the ultimate act of service to UWO.”
Reflecting on his time at UWO, Thome credited Coach Zupanc for helping him overcome challenges: “He gave me renewed faith in my ability to perform at the college level after some nagging leg injuries,” Thome said.
The UW Oshkosh Alumni Association will honor 13 alumni during Homecoming weekend on Oct. 18-19. Alongside Thome receiving the Alumni Outstanding Service Award, seven individuals will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award and four will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award.
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