UVU President Tuminez to take monthlong sabbatical to mourn loss of husband
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- Utah Valley University President Astrid S. Tuminez speaks during UVU’s 78th Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the UCCU Center in Orem.
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- UVU observed a moment of silence on behalf of Jeffrey S. Tolk, husband of school president Astrid S. Tuminez, before a men’s basketball game against UT Arlington on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Tolk passed away Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. Pictured are the seats where the couple sat for Wolverine basketball games.
Utah Valley University President Astrid S. Tuminez will go on sabbatical for the month of March to grieve the loss of her husband, Jeffrey Stuart Tolk, she told students in a letter Wednesday morning.
Tolk, UVU’s first gentleman, passed away Feb. 5 at the age of 61.
Tuminez’s request for sabbatical was approved by the Utah Board of Higher Education on Tuesday.
“I am grateful that the Utah Board of Higher Education approved this sabbatical,” Tuminez said in the letter. “It will be very much needed in terms of time to grieve and begin building a new scaffolding for what comes after.”
Jim Mortensen, UVU’s vice president of finance and auxiliary services, will be the acting president in Tuminez’s absence, with the responsibility of coordinating the school’s of internal administration. Senior Vice President Wayne Vaught will focus on “retention, tenure, the promotion process and the hiring of two deans,” Tuminez said.
“Together, they will ensure that we finish the semester strong and support our students,” she added.
Tolk died after suffering a pulmonary embolism and complications caused by high altitude when climbing Mount Cotopaxi in Ecuador, according to his obituary.
There will be a public viewing for Tolk from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Fulton Library at UVU. His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 28 at the UCCU Center.
“My husband, Jeffrey Stuart Tolk, loved UVU and believed deeply in our mission,” Tuminez said. “I hope that we can honor him by continuing to do our best to fulfill our mission of educating every student to succeed in work and life.”
Tolk, a New Jersey native, married Tuminez, a Philippines native, in the Salt Lake Temple in 1988. They have three children.
“(Tolk) lived a life of quiet intensity, kindness, service, hard work, humility, creativity, adventure, and unconditional love for his family,” his obituary reads.
