Thomas A. Chaves ’85

MARY FRY GOOD ’49 SERVICE TO ALMA MATER AWARD

Presented to an alumnus/a or alumni couple of Albright College for outstanding service to their alma mater.

Thomas A. Chaves ’85 is the associate vice president for advancement operations at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Prior to that, he served as the associate vice president for development and alumni relations at Lehigh University for nine years and led the traditional advancement services areas of information processing, reporting and analytics, prospect management and research. He has also led the implementation of strategic talent management within Lehigh’s advancement organization as well as campaign management programs and initiatives. Chaves is passionate about bringing people together, and the systems and processes to support the art and science of advancement.

Chaves spent over 17 years at SunGard/SCT working with over 100 higher education clients to implement and effectively use advancement software. He chaired the 2010 CASE Senior Advancement Services conference, chaired the 2013 & 2014 CASE Summer Institute for Advancement Services and was a member of the Banner Advancement advisory board. He is currently a member of the iModules Strategic Advisory Board, CASE Commission on Philanthropy and works closely with other advancement services leaders in understanding the advancement software landscape. Chaves completed serving as president of AASP in 2016 and has been on the board since 2008.

Chaves’s service and generosity to Albright span many areas of the college. He has served as an Albright trustee since 2018, and spent six years on the Alumni Association board, serving as president from 2007-2009. He is a bronze member of the J. Warren Klein Society. Chaves has offered his time and talent as a volunteer advisor to Albright’s development office, and has served as a reunion committee member for the track and cross country teams, the Lion Diplomats, and the class of 1985’s fifth, 20th and 35th reunions. As a senior at Albright, Chaves was a founder of the Lion Diplomats, and then served as the club’s first advisor when he began work as the director of the annual fund. In addition to the Lion Diplomats, Chaves participated a great deal as a student on campus. He was a member of the Choral Ensemble, Domino Players, Residence Life staff, cross country and track teams, and The Albrightian staff. He was a Jacob Albright Scholar and received the Gold “A” Award.

Chaves enjoys running marathons, completing running one per state in 2014 as part of his 50 thousand miles at marathons in 50 states by age 50 goal. He enjoys spending time with his family, including three grandchildren.

Chaves holds a BA from Albright College and an MS from Penn State in Business Administration.