The University of Dayton’s vice president for finance and administrative services will retire in October after 22 years, school officials announced.<br /><br />Tom Burkhardt is credited with growing the university’s endowment from $69.2 million to today’s record $450.6 million, officials said.<br /><br />In addition, Burkhardt secured the financial resources to purchase two major land acquisitions from NCR Corp., which helped attract GE Aviation to build a research center on campus.<br /><br />Officials said UD will embark on a national search for his replacement.<br /><br />“Tom has been an excellent financial steward for the University of Dayton,” said Daniel J. Curran, president, in a statement. “He has handled budgets, investments and capital initiatives with expertise and care. Most importantly, he demonstrates in his daily work the Catholic, Marianist charism that defines this university.”<br /><br />Burkhardt joined UD in 1992 with a 1970 accounting degree from the school. Previously, he spent 22 years at Ernst & Young, where he worked his way up from accountant to partner. In 1998, he earned his second degree from UD, a master’s in educational leadership.<br /><br />In 2010, Burkhardt was honored with the Lackner Award, which is bestowed annually on faculty and staff who, over a significant period of time, have made a noteworthy contribution to the Catholic and Marianist character of the university.