TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (date of release) – Cynthia (Cindy) Thomas Kalkomey is continuing her lifelong support of STEM education and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology through her recent appointment to the Institute’s Board of Trustees. Her service began at the Board’s winter meeting.

Cindy’s connection to Rose-Hulman runs deep. Her late father, Charles “Ted” Thomas, a Clinton, Indiana native, graduated with high honors in electrical engineering from Rose Polytechnic Institute (now Rose-Hulman) in 1943. He went on to a distinguished 28-year career with Texas Instruments’ defense systems division, retiring in 1986 from a senior technical leadership role.

In 2023, Cindy and her husband, Kurt Kalkomey of Dallas, Texas, honored her father’s legacy with a $500,000 gift to establish a scholarship fund for Rose-Hulman students.

Now, Cindy is further strengthening her relationship with the Institute by serving on its Board of Trustees.
“Cindy’s commitment to Rose-Hulman and our mission of helping students achieve their goals in STEM fields is deeply personal,” said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. “We look forward to her insights and leadership as a trustee.”

Cindy brings to the role an impressive academic and professional background in STEM. She earned a doctorate in statistics from Southern Methodist University, following master's and bachelor's degrees in mathematics and statistics from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.

Kurt also holds a strong academic foundation in the sciences, with a master’s degree in aquatic ecology and a bachelor’s degree in biology, both from Stephen F. Austin.

Cindy began her career as a geostatistician with Mobil Oil’s research lab, where she specialized in reservoir characterization and reserves assessment. She also taught technical short courses to Mobil affiliates around the world.

In 1995, Cindy and Kurt co-founded Kalkomey Enterprises, a Dallas-based company that merged their love of the outdoors with their STEM expertise. The company became a leader in outdoor safety education, developing online courses and printed materials for boating, hunting, bowhunting, ATV, and snowmobile safety certification in partnership with state agencies. They sold a majority interest in the company in 2015, though Cindy continued to serve on its board for several years.

Today, the Kalkomeys focus their efforts on philanthropy—with Rose-Hulman playing a key role in their mission to expand educational opportunities in STEM.

About Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, located on a scenic 1,300-acre campus in Terre Haute, Indiana, is home to 2,300+ students from 47 states and 33 countries. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top undergraduate STEM colleges, Rose-Hulman delivers a strong return on investment from day one. Students collaborate with esteemed faculty in labs and innovation centers equipped with cutting-edge technology—opportunities often reserved for graduate students elsewhere. With nearly 100% career placement for two decades, Rose-Hulman prepares graduates for success. Founded in 1874, Rose-Hulman offers a vibrant student experience with a close-knit campus community, nationally recognized competition teams, 20 NCAA Division III sports, 90+ student clubs, and 12 fraternities and sororities. Learn more at rose-hulman.edu.