Obituary: Thomas Buchvald Vind (1971-2026)

With the passing of Thomas Buchvald Vind, SDU has lost a key and highly respected leader who has made a significant mark on the university's development over a number of years. Since his appointment as University Director in 2017, he headed the university's administration and was a key part of senior management during a period characterised by significant changes and high ambitions.

- Thomas was a hard-working and dedicated University Director with a strong overview, great professionalism and sound judgement. He had a deep understanding of the university's complexity and a special ability to find solutions that brought the organisation together and moved it forward. In the Board, he was highly respected for his orderliness and his way of looking after SDU's interests. Thomas was also a very friendly and appealing person who contributed to a good, harmonious and solution-orientated atmosphere. His efforts for SDU have been crucial, and he will be missed - both by the university and by me," says Søren Vilby, Chairman of the University Board.

Thomas Buchvald Vind was characterised by loyalty to the university, its tasks and the people who contribute to research, education and collaboration with the surrounding society every day. He worked hard to ensure that SDU had an organisation that could support the university's academic environments and strategic ambitions, and he managed to balance development and operations with great confidence.

- I have lost a valued colleague. Thomas and I had a close working relationship and I greatly appreciated his overview, thoroughness and calm leadership. Thomas had a rare ability to both see the big picture and pay attention to the people he worked with. He was a thoroughly decent person who was able to create direction and bring the organisation together. He will be missed at SDU, says Rector Jens Ringsmose.

Thomas Buchvald Vind represented the university with professionalism, decency and integrity both internally at SDU and in the many external relationships he was involved in. Many employees and partners have worked closely with Thomas and will recognise him as a committed, listening and dedicated leader who met others with trust and respect.

Before joining SDU, Thomas Buchvald Vind had a long career at the University of Copenhagen, where he was Deputy Director of Group Finance. He also had experience from the consulting industry. He also brought his in-depth knowledge of the university sector into play as chair of the University Directors Committee in Universities Denmark, where he worked to strengthen collaboration across the sector.

Thomas Buchvald Vind held an MSc in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen and an MSc in Social and Political Theory from Edinburgh University and an MSc in Public Management and Governance from CBS/KU.

Thomas Buchvald Vind is survived by his wife and their two children.

Honouring Thomas Buchvald Vind's memory.