Senior VP Tom Murnane to retire in 2003

Dr. Thomas W. Murnane, A58, D62, K65, G68, J97P, who has served as senior vice president of the university since 1985, will retire at the end of the 2002-03 academic year.

Murnane has been associated with Tufts for more than 40 yearsÑas a student, researcher, teacher, scholar and administrator. He is widely recognized for his entrepreneurial style and energy and the key role he's played in raising more than $1 billion for Tufts during three capital campaigns. Credited with raising the university's visibility around the world, he has provided strategic counsel to four Tufts presidents during a time of unprecedented growth for the institution.

Dr. Thomas W. Murnane © Richard Howard

"Tom Murnane has been integral to the core successes, strengths and innovative culture of this university," Tufts President Lawrence S. Bacow said. "He's been instrumental in raising the resources that have helped to transform Tufts from an excellent regional institution to a university of truly international prominence. He has made many friends for this university around the world and inspired their investment in many faculty chairs, scholarships, buildings and programs across our three Massachusetts campuses and our European Center in Talloires, France."

Murnane, who has led the university's fund-raising, public affairs, alumni relations, government relations, media and community relations, publications, special events and the Boards of Overseers, holds four Tufts degreesÑhis bachelor's, D.M.D., a postgraduate certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery and a Ph.D. He also has taught at the medical and dental schools and served in the early 1970s as acting dean of the dental school. He was instrumental in the creation of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton and the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging on the Boston campus.

In making his announcement to the Board of Trustees in May, Murnane told the trustees he would continue to serve "as a loyal alumnus" after he steps down from his senior vice president post on June 30, 2003.

Bacow said that Murnane will work closely with him throughout the upcoming academic year to ensure a successful close of the current Tufts Tomorrow capital campaign, which has raised in excess of $600 million, and a smooth transition for the other areas within his current responsibilities.

As part of this transition, Brian K. Lee, vice president for development, began reporting directly to the president as of July 1.

Nathan Gantcher, A62, chairman of Tufts' Board of Trustees, said, "I've worked with Tom for nearly half of his career at Tufts, and we are all deeply grateful to have had such a talented rainmaker in our midst for all these years. He's made a lot of dreams come true for Tufts, while always personally embodying the quintessential spirit and intelligence that are the hallmarks of Tufts graduates."