May 12, 2009

Contact Glena Temple at 608-796-3393 or Tom Thibodeau at 608-796-3705

TOM THIBODEAU APPOINTED VITERBO DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Tom Thibodeau, a 25-year member of the Viterbo faculty who has earned a number of awards and been cited for his community contributions, has been named Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership.

Among his awards are Viterbo Teacher of the Year in 1987, Toastmaster’s Man of the Year in 1989,  Freking-Iverson Ecumenical Leadership Award in 1991, Franciscan Skemp Foundation Spheres of Influence Award in 1999, Coulee Catholic School’s Mardi Gras King in 2000, and last year he was named to the Wall of Fame by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse.

Thibodeau is also a co-founder of Place of Grace Catholic Worker House located in La Crosse.

In 2001, Thibodeau was instrumental in coordinating an effort that led to the establishment of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership degree, the only graduate program of its kind in the U.S. Today, he serves as director of that program.

In addition to serving as director of the servant leadership program, Thibodeau will continue to teach part-time in the religious studies department while assuming other duties. “We are asking Tom to focus his time, his considerable talents, and his deep passion on the advancement of our Franciscan values though conversations, workshops, and activities throughout the campus,” said Rick Artman, president of Viterbo.

He will also be part of a new iniative as a teacher in Viterbo’s Graduate Certificate for Ethical Leadership in Organizations, which will begin late this summer.

“Tom has been an inspiration to many within the Viterbo community and beyond, for his vision, leadership, and service,” said Glena Temple, dean of the School of Letters and Sciences.