The University of New Mexico (UNM) Anderson School of Management recently received a donation to support graduate students. The gift is expected to support the continued growth in the healthcare field.
Maribeth and Chris Thornton made a significant contribution to establish the Thornton Family Scholarship for Healthcare Leadership. The scholarship will help Anderson graduate students in good standing pursue leadership roles in the healthcare industry.
UNM News reported that the Thorntons created the scholarship to invest in people and expand 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 highlights Maribeth’s 40-year nursing career, during which she held various leadership roles. She is currently the 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.”
How the Thorntons’ Journey Inspires Their Education Advocacy
Both Chris and Maribeth advocate for the power of education.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech and a Master of Science from Stanford University. Maribeth earned her MBA from the Anderson School of Management and her Ph.D. from the UNM College of Nursing.
Maribeth shared that during each of her degree programs, she had to work full-time to support herself or her family. “Having a scholarship would have allowed me to focus more time on my studies without worrying about financial constraints.”
She added employer support during her MBA and Ph.D. relieved financial stress and allowed her to finish without student loans. This helped inspire the creation of the Thornton Family Scholarship for Healthcare Leadership to ease that burden for future students.
Maribeth was recently selected as the alumni speaker at the fall 2025 Anderson Convocation. During her speech, she explained stepping into leadership roles as a nurse motivated her to pursue an MBA.
Through those roles, she recognized the importance of business and management skills for effective leadership. Her MBA helped her develop skills like critical data analysis, financial and strategic decision making, and organizational and professional development. These skills continue to play a vital role in her career.
The Thorntons’ estate gift will expand the healthcare leadership scholarship and continue supporting their existing UNM College of Nursing scholarship. It will also 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.”