UNM Anderson receives generous gift for Healthcare Leadership Scholarship

The UNM Anderson School of Management has received a generous gift from donors Maribeth and Chris Thornton to establish the Thornton Family Scholarship for Healthcare Leadership. The scholarship will support Anderson graduate students in good standing who aspire to pursue leadership roles in the healthcare industry.

The Thorntons' decision to create the scholarship reflects their shared commitment to investing in people and expanding access to educational opportunities.

"We find it fulfilling to watch our colleagues grow and master their craft," the Thorntons said. "We have been blessed with strong mentors throughout our careers, and we feel an obligation to do the same."

The scholarship also reflects Maribeth Thornton's 40-year career as a nurse, during which she has held various leadership roles. She currently serves as chief nursing officer at UNM Hospital.

"While healthcare makes up a sizable fraction of the economy, other sectors can offer greater monetary rewards," the Thorntons said. "A person leaving graduate school with less debt is more likely to consider a career in healthcare. To be efficient and effective, the healthcare system needs leaders versed in both the financials and the delivery of services."

Both Chris and Maribeth Thornton are advocates for the power of education. Chris Thornton earned a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech and a Master of Science from Stanford University. Maribeth Thornton earned her MBA from the Anderson School of Management and her Ph.D. from the UNM College of Nursing.

"During each of my degree programs, I had to work full-time to support myself or my family," Maribeth Thornton said. "Having a scholarship would have allowed me to focus more time on my studies without worrying about financial constraints."

She added that receiving some financial support from her employer during both her MBA and Ph.D. program was a relief and enabled her to complete the degree without taking on student loan debt. This experience helped inspire the creation of the Thornton Family Scholarship for Healthcare Leadership to ease that burden for future students.

Most recently, Maribeth Thornton was selected as the alumni speaker at the fall 2025 Anderson Convocation. In her speech, she explained that her decision to pursue an MBA grew out of her experience stepping into leadership roles as a nurse. Through those roles, she recognized the importance of business and management skills for effective leadership. The skills she developed in the MBA program, such as critical data analysis, financial and strategic decision making, and organizational and professional development, continue to play a vital role in her career.

Established UNM Donors, the Thorntons' estate gift will help to grow the healthcare leadership scholarship as well as continue to grow their existing scholarship with UNM College of Nursing and support other needs at the UNM Children's Hospital.

"The lack of student debt allows students to spend more money in the community and invest in their own families," the Thorntons said. "The skills they bring to the community benefit us all in the long run."

Anderson is grateful for the Thorntons' donation, which will significantly impact graduate students while supporting the continued growth of the healthcare field.

Learn more about how your support can make a difference for current and future Anderson students, by reaching out to senior director of development, Melanie Hitchcock at melanie[email protected] or (505) 220-7703, or visit the Anderson giving website.