Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Memorial Service for Thomas J. Walsh Set for Saturday

Wednesday, May 15, 2019, By Kelly Homan Rodoski
Share
Thomas Walsh

Thomas Walsh

Thomas J. Walsh G’84, retired executive vice president of advancement and external affairs, passed away May 10 following a long battle with cancer.

Walsh received a bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College and a master’s degree in drama from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. He taught at Christian Brothers Academy for three years before joining Syracuse Stage in 1979 as the founding dramaturg, main stage director and producer. There, he created innovative and dynamic performances.

From 1987 to 1991, Walsh served as an events administrator for the Division of Student Affairs, working with students in staging dance, music, theater and other cultural events on campus. He was also involved with the opening of Goldstein Auditorium.

Walsh then joined the University’s development team in 1991 as director of major gifts for Washington, D.C., and in 1995 expanded his responsibilities with a dual appointment as senior director of development and director of federal relations in the Office of Government and Community Relations. His work as the University’s first federal lobbyist resulted in more than $7 million in federal research appropriations for faculty.

He was appointed assistant vice president for development and public affairs for New York City in 1999, where he successfully oversaw the University’s efforts to expand and strengthen its fundraising, public and alumni relations, and marketing activities in the greater New York area. He played a key role in bolstering the role and presence of the Lubin House in New York City.

In 2002, he became vice president of leadership gifts and in 2005 was appointed senior vice president of institutional advancement by Chancellor Nancy Cantor. In this role, Walsh led the division in the highly successful $1 billion “Scholarship in Action—The Campaign for Syracuse University,” which was completed in 2012.

Walsh cultivated deep and lasting relationships with many major donors to the University. He was involved with naming major gifts for the Setnor School of Music and Setnor Auditorium, Newhouse 3, Menschel Media Center, Falk College, Dineen Hall and the Phanstiel Scholars, and major gifts for the Remembrance Scholarship Program and University Lectures, to name just a few.

In a 2017 interview with Syracuse University Magazine, Walsh said he drew on his education and experience in the theater for his role as a fundraiser, and in convincing others to invest in the University. “In the theater, you learn through acting training to understand the text and the subtext and the motivations that people have in any given situation,” he said. “It is absolutely essential that you work collaboratively—demanding collaborations among a complex set of people. You learn to be very comfortable putting yourself out in public. These skills, the theater develops at a high level. So it prepared me very well.”

Walsh played a key role with the University’s Board of Trustees, working closely with the board to reconnect and truly engage each member and encouraging them to be active and involved.

“Tom’s work is forever a part of the Syracuse University fabric and leaves a lasting legacy,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “His contributions have enabled the success of every part of this University.”

In 2014, Walsh transitioned to the role of special counsel to the Chancellor, and later to special counsel to the chief advancement officer and senior vice president of advancement and external affairs. He retired from the University in 2017.

Outside of the University, Walsh was the founder of The Blathertones, an experimental theater group, and worked with the Berkshire Theater Festival and New York’s La MaMa Experimental Theater Club. He served on the New York State Council on the Arts advisory panels for a decade and was former chair of the board of Light Work. He was also a member of the board of directors for the Syracuse International Film and Video Festival, the Everson Museum and the Finger Lakes Land Trust.

Walsh is survived by his wife, Maureen; his daughter, Margaret; and several nieces, nephews and close friends.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 17, from 4-7 p.m. at the Burns Garfield Funeral Home, 3175 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. A memorial will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 3 p.m. in Syracuse University’s Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College, followed by a reception in the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center. Parking will be available in the Hillside parking lot and the Irving Garage. To request accommodations, contact Joanne Corasaniti at 315.443.2328.

Memorial contributions may be made to a Hospice of your choice or to the Thomas Walsh Fund in the Department of Drama in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

 

  • Author

Kelly Rodoski

  • Recent
  • Libraries Innovation Scholar Launches Utopia, a Transparent Beauty Brand
    Friday, June 6, 2025, By News Staff
  • Ian ’90 and Noah Eagle ’19 Share a Love of Sportscasting and Storytelling (Podcast)
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By John Boccacino
  • Blackstone LaunchPad Founders Circle Welcomes New Members
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By Cristina Hatem
  • Japan’s Crackdown on ‘Shiny’ Names Sparks Cultural Reflection
    Tuesday, June 3, 2025, By Keith Kobland
  • The Milton Legacy: Romance, Success and Giving Back
    Monday, June 2, 2025, By Eileen Korey

More In Campus & Community

Blackstone LaunchPad Founders Circle Welcomes New Members

Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad welcomed 34 graduates of the Class of 2025 as new members of the Founders Circle. They were selected in recognition of launching or leading ventures at the University while students, as well as contributing to…

Neal Powless Inducted Into American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame

You could say that lacrosse is in Neal Powless’s blood. Powless G’08, the University ombuds, is a member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan. He is the son, grandson and brother of legendary lacrosse players. Powless picked up a lacrosse…

The Milton Legacy: Romance, Success and Giving Back

Growing up, Stacey Milton Leal ’75 and Chris Milton heard countless stories about how Syracuse University brought their parents together in what would turn out to be a fairy tale romance with a happy forever ending. So it was no…

Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars Produce Information Literacy Collab Journal

Earlier this month, Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars published their first open access information literacy journal, Information Literacy Collab (ILC). It is available on SURFACE, the University’s open access institutional repository. ILC is a diamond open-access publication by and…

Trip to Atlanta Gives Falk Students ‘Real-World’ Opportunities and Connections

The city of Atlanta is home to professional sports franchises in major leagues: Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer), the Braves (Major League Baseball), Dream (WNBA), Falcons (NFL), and Hawks (NBA). Atlanta also features professional teams in lacrosse, rugby, and…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.