A Titan of service and support: UWO alumnus Thome to be honored Homecoming weekend

Dan Thome, a 1985 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with degrees in accounting and finance, continues to show his black and gold Titan colors in his service and commitment to his alma mater. Thome will be presented with a 2024 UWO Outstanding Alumni Service Award on Homecoming weekend next month.

Thome, of Appleton, is a managing member of Axiom Advisors, providing independent advice on corporate finance matters. He attributes lessons learned from College of Business classes, especially those taught by finance professor Robert Niendorf, and his track coach John Zupanc as foundational from his college years and beyond.

Thome's journey with UWO began as a student-athlete, where he excelled in both track and cross country, having lettered all four years and elected captain in both sports. Thome ran the one mile and sometimes, the two-mile race, for track and field and was a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Conference scorer multiple times.

His success as a student-athlete and Thome's strong leadership skills set the stage for a lifetime of dedication to the institution.

Devoted Titan

Jamie Pollard, '87, a friend and former teammate, captures this spirit perfectly.

"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. 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. There is no one at UWO that is more a fan of Titan athletics than Dan Thome."

Matt Lewis, head coach of the UWO Men's Basketball team, is grateful for Thome's support. Lewis rattles off many of Thome's efforts to support the team including "helping with formal fundraisers, donating and supporting our financial campaigns, connecting us with other potential supporters, inviting people non-stop to our games, and I mean non-stop, connecting with our current and former players about job opportunities, reaching out to support the coaches in good times and in tough times."

Lewis, who has known Thome for 12 years, is far from being done talking about Thome's impact. "For those 12 years, he and his family have relentlessly supported UW-Oshkosh Men's Basketball and the University as a whole," Lewis said. "I have come to know a person that is incredibly passionate about UWO, not just athletics, but every part of it. We are so very fortunate to have Dan Thome, the alum, and most importantly Dan Thome, our friend, in our corner."

Thome's dedication to UWO is evident in his roles on the College of Business Advisory Board, the UWO Foundation, and his ongoing involvement with UWO athletics.

Supporting his community

Thome's commitment to service extends beyond the borders of UW Oshkosh. His involvement in various volunteer and service activities showcases his commitment to bettering his community. He served on the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation board (JDRF), contributed to the Community Foundation of Fox Cities, and was a founding officer of Junior Patriots Baseball in 2013, which now serves over 100 youth aged 13-17.

A touching example of Thome's character is his recent act of selflessness. When his former track coach, John Zupanc, faced the task of caring for his wife, Deb Vercauteren, who is dealing with some health challenges, Thome went above and beyond.

In 2023, Thome and his wife purchased a winter home in Arizona, just blocks away from Zupanc's residence, to offer help and support. Pollard, who competed under coach Zupanc, describes this act as "the ultimate act of service to UWO."

Pollard, who is a past UW Oshkosh Young Alumni and Distinguished Alumni award recipient, said, "Although I am very proud of both awards, Dan Thome is far more deserving of the recognition that I have ever been or will be."

Thome dismisses any talk about selfless acts. He remembers coach Zupanc as the person who helped him overcome some challenges during college.

"He gave me renewed faith in my ability to perform at the college level after some nagging leg injuries," Thome said, adding that he had thought about quitting the sport. He suffered stress fractures of the shin in high school and the injury came back freshman year. Thome said Coach Zupanc helped him through those challenges through strategic training and encouragement.

"The discipline and time management forced upon me to perform as a successful accounting/finance major and athlete paid dividends my entire career," Thome said. "I can't guess what would have happened had I not had John's guidance and friendship, but I suspect my experiences may have been less rewarding both athletically and professionally."

The couple is legendary in the track and field/cross country community. Vercauteren was the coach of UW Oshkosh Women's Track and Field and Cross Country teams from 1981-2010. Zupanc was her counterpart on the men's side a year later. Between the two, they have won 24 of the university's 50 national championships.

Zupanc, who has known Thome since his early days at UWO, reflects on their enduring bond.

"Dan was always a willing volunteer when UWO hosted many championship events over the past 40 years," Zupanc says. "His passion for sports and unwavering support for the university is exemplified by his continuous contributions."

The UW Oshkosh Alumni Association will celebrate the talents and successes of 13 alumni during Homecoming weekend Oct. 18-19. There are two, including Thome, receiving the Alumni Outstanding Service Award, seven being honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award and four receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Learn more:

Study Finance and Business Law at UWO

Study Accounting at UWO

13 UWO alumni to be honored at Alumni Awards Celebration Homecoming weekend

UW Oshkosh Homecoming

UWO Alumni Relations

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