“I believe in Christian education. Calvary University is uniquely positioned to accomplish that mission, and it thrills me to be a part of it.”
Dr. Tom Stolberg has led a diverse, enriching career journey. Having had field experience in music, education, and working for Merrill Lynch, he is thrilled to begin his new position as Calvary University’s Chief Financial Officer.
Tom came from a humble background, yet was driven to pursue excellence. Born and raised in a small town in northern Illinois, he was the second oldest of his three siblings. Growing up in a “typical” midwestern family, his father sold insurance and his mother sewed on the side to help pay the bills. Originally, Tom was interested in pursuing a career in science, and he was the first child in his family to attend college. However, despite the fact that Tom had already taken his first steps in his career journey, God cut out an entirely new path for him.
During Tom’s pursuit of earning a degree in physics, he began to greatly miss music. Growing up, he was a “band kid”, and was heavily involved in choir and singing. When his passion to pursue music kept growing, Tom finally switched career paths altogether, and transferred to Illinois State University. While there, he met his future wife, Rosie, earned a Music Education Degree in 1981, and married that same year. They moved to Las Cruces, where Tom began teaching a junior high school choir for the Las Cruces Public Schools. Later, he earned a double master’s degree in Vocal Music Performance and Choral Conducting at New Mexico State University in 1984.
Huge life changes occurred during Tom’s final year at NMSU. Both he and Rosie received Christ as their Lord and Savior, and they were soon preparing to move locations: “My voice studies were going well and Rosie and I had decided to move to New York to allow me to pursue a career in classical music. I applied to Cornell University in Ithaca, and was accepted into the studio of Barbara Troxell. She had led an amazing career, singing at the Met and other places. However, God had other plans for us. Barbara died three days before I was to start lessons with her.” Once again, Tom’s direction in life was altered. Despite this, Tom chose to do what was best for his family.
After fostering an interest in investing, he connected with an investment company that was opening up where he lived: “At the time, my wife was pregnant with the first of our six kids. I needed a job, and Merrill Lynch hired me.” He worked there for fifteen years. In 2010, Tom accepted his position as Music Department Chair at Calvary University. Having earned his doctorate in Musical Arts in 2005, Tom delved deep into the field of music and education once again. During his years of teaching at Calvary, he states that he enjoyed helping students “grow spiritually and professionally, conducting, and working with great colleagues” until he retired in 2021.
Although Tom did not always know where he would be led to by walking through “open doors” from God, he states: “After I became a Christian, my outlook on life changed and my expectations did too. Matthew 6:25-33 makes it clear that God is in charge; He’s not a God of confusion. He has my best interest at heart, and He is utterly faithful and good.” Tom states that his positions at Calvary, including his new position as the Chief Financial Officer, were opportunities he said yes to because God “opened the door”, and he walked through it.
Today, Tom believes there is potential for CU to reach an ever-expanding group of students, and he is excited to help advance Calvary University’s mission: “I believe in Christian education. CU is uniquely positioned to accomplish that mission, and it thrills me to be part of it.”
