Tom Rosenquist, PhD, the driving force behind UNMC’s explosive growth in research development in the first decade of the 2000s, died Jan. 7. Dr. Rosenquist was 80.
The trajectory kicked off by Dr. Rosenquist’s efforts as UNMC’s research leader continues today.
“It keeps growing,” said Ken Bayles, PhD, vice chancellor for research.
Dr. Rosenquist was tapped as UNMC’s director of research development in 1999. He then took a newly created position as the medical center’s first vice chancellor for research in 2002. The results were astounding.
Memorial service
The memorial service for Tom Rosenquist, PhD, will be Friday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in his name to The University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln, Neb. 68508.
Jennifer Larsen, MD, who succeeded Dr. Rosenquist as vice chancellor for research in 2011, called him the “engine” behind UNMC’s tremendous growth in research funding. Dr. Bayles preferred the word “trailblazer.”
UNMC’s research funding tripled in the decade under Dr. Rosenquist’s leadership, from $30.9 million in 1999 to more than $115 million in 2010.
“Tom has elevated our research from minor league status to the big leagues,” Chancellor Emeritus Harold M. Maurer, MD, said in 2010.
Read how Dr. Rosenquist helped colleagues in a time of crisis.
The growth was even more impressive in context. These dollars were tough to get during a time of declining funds and cutbacks at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
But Dr. Rosenquist deftly centralized UNMC’s research resources. He utilized tobacco settlement funds to recruit established researchers. He built up core facilities and contributed to the emphasis on infrastructure, working with Nebraska’s legislature and philanthropic community. He helped plan the layout of the Durham Research Center towers.
Dr. Rosenquist developed one of the first collaborative large grant research programs at UNMC and encouraged and supported others in doing the same. He oversaw the reorganization of comparative medicine under Robert Dixon, DVM, as one cohesive unit. He helped grow UNMC’s international research program.
He envisioned, then implemented, the Scientist Laureate and Distinguished Scientist awards, to recognize and encourage UNMC’s researchers.
“During his tenure as department chair and as the first vice chancellor for research, Tom oversaw efforts to expand research facilities, the recruitment of new research faculty and expansion of graduate programs across UNMC,” said Kenneth Cowan, MD, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “Under his leadership, extramural research funding at UNMC was set on a new trajectory, which has continued in subsequent years. He was a great colleague and a strong mentor to so many faculty and students.”
Dr. Rosenquist previously served as chair of the UNMC Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy for nearly a decade, after a long stint at the Medical College of Georgia. His 43 years of research were largely devoted to congenital heart defects. He was principal investigator of NIH-funded projects for more than 30 years.
“He was passionate about science and understood the importance of talking to the community about the value of science and research, whether in churches or to other community groups,” Dr. Larsen said. “He was serious but also had quite a sense of humor and modeled the importance of balancing work with home life. He had many friends across the campus and will be sorely missed.”
Said Dr. Bayles, “He had a presence about him, an authoritative presence that could be intimidating. But I was so honored I got to know him personally and I could call him my friend.”
Tom was instrumental in helping me to build my research program and was a good friend. While we lost touch after he retired I have fond memories of our time together as Chairs of two basic science departments. He devoted much of his career to UNMC. We are all better off because of his dedication. Our thoughts are with Diane and his family. May his memory be a blessing and comfort to them.
He will truly be missed. It was a joy to work with him on the IACUC. He once drew me a fish during one of our meetings and to this day, it’s been hanging in my office. I will treasure that. RIP Dr. Rosenquist.
I have very fond memories of Dr. Rosenquist as the VCR, the IACUC Chair, and my supervisor. He seemed a little intimidating when I first met him, but once I got to know him I instantly found out what a kind, caring, and humorous person he was. I respected him a great deal as a scientist and leader at UNMC. My heart goes out to his family and I will keep them in my prayers. RIP Mr. Rosenquist!
Dr. Rosenquist was a legendary figure at UNMC and will never be forgotten. Even though he had a big job, he never took himself too seriously – that’s what made him special. My condolences to his family on the loss of this great man.
This is a tremendous loss for UNMC and the scientific community. I had the privilege of working under Dr. Rosenquist’s mentorship for my graduate degree. He was demanding, but fair, and always a strong advocate for graduate students. He was incredibly supportive of my teaching interests and granted time for me to pursue both research and education training. I know how rare a gift that is among advisors and I am extremely grateful for his support. He left a lasting legacy at UNMC and will certainly be missed.
I am deeply saddened to hear this news. Tom was a great partner for the COD and his investment in strategic recruitments and belief in our research program led to exceptional growth during his time as VCR. I really appreciated that Tom was really clear on where he stood on issues and I appreciated that he was really focused on growth of the UNMC research enterprise. Tom also was an excellent problem solver and was always willing to listen. Tom had a really good sense of humor and I treasured our interactions. I will miss him and I offer my condolences to his family.
Dr. Rosenquist was one of the first people I met when I joined UNMC in 1999, working in the Chancellor’s Office. He was a fabulous leader who also exhibited great warmth and humor. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
He was a true leader, visionary and always with big picture. He looks serious, but in deep, a very kind person always with a caring heart. He was instrumental for the development of international research collaboration, especially with many Chinese Universities/Institutions. He has provided guidance and support in my career development. He will be deeply missed…
Tom remain committed to growing research and the national reputation of UNMC. He was open and transparent, with a great sense of humor. He was close to his family and enjoyed traveling with Diane. As a mentor and friend, Tom will be deeply missed.
Tom recruited me to UNMC in 1994 when he was the chair of the department then known as the Cell Biology and Anatomy. We forged a new friendship when he became the vice chancellor of research; I was able to appreciate his fairness, candor, and wry sense of humor. He was strong enough to admit mistakes and say sorry, an extremely rare leadership attribute these days. He was exceptionally helpful to me when I was between grants, allowing me to continue my stem cell research program during the lean period. We kept in touch when he stepped down as the VCR, when he resumed his role as a mentor, helping me navigate some adverse situations my program faced. I was very happy to receive the 2008 Distinguish Scientist Award from him, one who had brought me to UNMC. I met Dianne and Tom last at my daughter’s wedding, where they were special guests. Rest in peace, Tom.
Tom made a difference at UNMC. He was a hard-working, thoughtful, and energetic scientist and colleague to many. He was a mentor to students, post-docs, junior faculty, and other administrators. He was a friend to so very many. He has been missed since leaving UNMC and now will be missed by his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dianne and his family.
He was an extraordinary leader! Condolences to his wife and family.
I remember when I was interviewing for my job here at UNMC, and I first met Dr. Rosenquist. The first thing he asked me during the interview was, “What street did I grow up on?”. We were both from Dubuque!! I did not expect that question from the VCR!! He had a great sense of humor and will be missed.
This is a really painful news.
For me, Dr. Rosenquist represents a great scientist who respected scientific efforts of his colleagues, easily recognized significance of research conducted by others, genuinely appreciated and was pleased with the successes of his colleagues. Rare and exceptional qualities.
I was one of the first faculty Tom recruited to the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy when he was a new Chair. I was immediately impressed by his intelligence and sense of fairness. He had high expectations, but also a strong sense of humanity. As Vice Chair for Research, I heard him give a speech to the Research Faculty which was amazing in its eloquence. He made the audience feel his confidence in their ability to do great science. No one wanted to disappoint him. He will be missed.
Dr. Rosenquist was not only our Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy department chair, but also he was an excellent mentor for me. I will miss him a lot.
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Rosenquist passing. He was a valued mentor and friend and a great advocate for the basic sciences. Condolences to his family.
I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He was a colleague and much valued friend. Tom was our first VC for Research, and the tremendous success UNMC’s research program has had is the result of the foundation Tom laid. He is a consequential part of UNMC’s story, and will be much missed.
Tom Rosenquist was a man with a vision and a strategy. His impact on the growth of UNMC’s research enterprise is undeniable. Tom was decisive and objective; fond of developing metrics and using them to evaluate productivity and success without subjective bias. Tom had a presence, an aura of command, that served him well as a leader. Almost daily, I marveled at his expansive vocabulary. However, Tom’s wit and euphonious voice are the memories I will cherish most. It was a pleasure to work with him during his tenure as VCR. He will be missed.
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Rosenquist. Condolences to his family. He had a major positive impact at UNMC as Chair of GCBA and as inaugural Vice-Chancellor for Research. May he rest in peace.
Somehow I missed the notice of Tom’s death. I recall when he was named the first VCR and had the enormous task of elevating research and reaching a goal of quadrupling UNMC’s research dollars. He was innovative in his approach and undaunted by the challenge. He had faith in his researchers and recruited many others. Did not seek accolades and was sure to let many take the limelight with their successes. He is missed but Tom he lives on in all of those still here.
He was the best teacher I have ever known. With Dianne, he was a phenomenal father and patriarch to the family. I loved him very much,Judy Rosenquist
Tom was a tireless advocate for the University. He was passionate about research and was smart as a whip. He was also a quality guy who cared deeply about his family and about his community. He hired me as a consultant in early 2002, and that changed my life, allowing me the honor and privilege to meet many of the others offering their tributes here. I fell in love with Nebraska, and consider myself an honorary Husker today because of Tom. Mostly, he was downright fun to be around. His quick smile, tart tongue and twinkle made every encounter memorable and enjoyable.