Tom Eschen, vice president for Institutional Advancement for ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, will retire effective May 31. He leaves a lasting legacy that has helped change the landscape of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€”from new buildings, to innovative academic and outreach programs, increased scholarship support, stronger corporate and foundation partnerships and greater alumni engagement.
Eschen, who joined ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ in 2008, oversees alumni engagement, advancement services and development, including fundraising for the Annual Fund, major gifts and planned giving.
Along with a talented team of Institutional Advancement staff, Eschen has been a key catalyst for change and growth at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ over the past decade. Under his leadership, annual fundraising has increased by more than 200 percent, including an increase in the Annual Fund by more than 170 percent. Corporate giving and alumni participation have doubled and the University’s highest annual giving club, the Duchesne Society, has grown nearly 250 percent.
Establishing an important legacy, Eschen first introduced the late Earl Walker to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½. Walker’s interest and support led to the naming of Myrtle E. and Earl E. Walker Hall and the Walker College of Health Professions, as well as creation of the Walker Medal and numerous scholarships. As part of the Walker gift agreement, the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for young children with speech and language disorders was incorporated into ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ as a fully integrated program.
In the past 10 years, Eschen helped ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ develop important partnerships with Mercy, PNC, St. Louis Public Radio and other major corporations and organizations. His outreach efforts include the creation of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s unique music therapy program, , and the University’s Women and Leadership program. He also helped expand ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s presence in the T-REX and Cortex tech communities and ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s partnership with Parkway School District’s Spark! program.
Eschen’s leadership also fostered the launch of the iconic series of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ pins, the annual Spirit of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ awards, the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Talks Books author series, the Sister Mary Byles Peace & Justice Prize, the and the Newman Catholic Student Center.
As a part-time consultant, Eschen will continue to support ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s fundraising efforts with a focus on Kids Rock Cancer and the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic.