51Ö±²¥

Ìý

Growing up in 51Ö±²¥, South Dakota, Jon Thum had plenty of college options. But for him, the choice was clear: stay connected to the community that shaped him by attending the 51Ö±²¥ (USF).

He arrived on campus with a plan — play football and figure out the rest along the way. But college had other plans for him, leading to unexpected opportunities that would shape both his college experience and his approach to life.

Now, more than 20 years into his career with the 51Ö±²¥ Police Department, he credits those detours with teaching him the power of purpose over plans.

Ìý

Why USF?

Thum's answer reflects his deep roots in the community.

"I had a lot of options of where I could go and what I could do," Thum recalled. "The 51Ö±²¥ was an institution within the community I grew up in and loved and really felt connected to."

But staying close to home didn't mean playing it safe. While he came for football, it was his accomplishments through music that surprised him most.

"I went to USF to play football, and that got me as far as Wisconsin," he joked. "But through joining the music program, I got to sing in Europe twice, sing in Notre Dame, have these cool experiences and be part of a select ensemble and sing for a variety of different people."

Looking back, he sees how those unexpected opportunities shaped him.

"It was a unique, fun experience. And again, [it's] not necessarily what I thought was going to be my college experience, but [I'm] really proud of being able to be part of that program," said Thum.

Purpose Over Plans

Thum's career path reflects the same openness to the unexpected that defined his college years.

"If you had told me I'd be where I'm at today in college, I wouldn't believe you," he shared. "I think what USF's motto, Culture for Service, has shown me is that you take a service mindset where you're going, you may not necessarily end up where you thought you were going to be, but with service at the heart of what you do, you can go do amazing things in amazing places."

Thum realizes the importance of emphasizing what your gut is telling you. And that doesn't always come to you right away.

"The world is going to tell you that you have to have it figured out, that you have to know what your path is, but you have to let your heart guide you," Thum explained.

When you let your heart guide you to the outcome, it brings forth the thing that truly matters most when pursuing a career — purpose.

"People will tell you that the most important thing is that you have great hours and great days off. I'm going to tell you that's a lie," Thum explained. "When you look for your profession and where you want to be, you have to find that sense of purpose, that sense of calling that has been instilled in you and that will ultimately lead you to the most gratifying and successful career path you can."

Cougars in the Community

In a city of about 225,000 people, Thum sees USF's impact everywhere.

"I always say there's cougars everywhere," he said. "Cougars make great cops. Cougars make great firefighters. Cougars just make great people."

Having USF as a commonality, the bonds between alumni prove to beÌýimmediate and lasting. When Thum showed up for his physical test before being hired by the police department, he spotted another USF alum he barely knew during college.

To this day, the pair relies on one another.

"We were partners on the street, partners on the SWAT Team, partners in different ways," said Thum. "And so the bond that we have through 51Ö±²¥, it just got us a jump start in our next career."

More Than an Education

To Thum, one thing is clear: it's not the degree that determines success. It's the experience, the preparedness and the person you become that launches your life path.

"The ultimate reality of life is that who you are as an individual determines where you go and what you do," said Thum. "And USF prepares people in a way that is unique, that makes great people great individuals. They can go out and serve their community and achieve greatness in a variety of different ways."