Derick is a seasoned communications and advancement strategist with over 15 years of experience in higher education. His work spans donor communications, stakeholder engagement, and executive messaging, with a focus on showcasing the transformative impact of philanthropy.
As the Director of Advancement and External Relations Communications at Adelphi University, he collaborated with key advancement units—including annual giving, donor relations, and alumni engagement—to develop multi-channel fundraising campaigns, targeted stewardship materials, and engagement strategies that strengthened donor participation and deepened institutional support.
Serving as the primary liaison between University Advancement and University Communications and Marketing, Thornton played a central role in executive messaging, digital content strategy, and major event communications. He also played a major role in the communications strategy for Adelphi’s historic $100 million comprehensive campaign, The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact.
Prior to Adelphi, Derick served as an Assistant Athletic Director at the United States Military Academy at West Point and Niagara University, leading external communications for two NCAA Division I athletic departments. While at West Point, he elevated national visibility for athletic programs, led strategic storytelling for cadet-athletes, contributed to high-profile events like the Army-Navy Game, and served on the Academy’s Strategic Communication Council. At Niagara, he held multiple leadership roles over 13 years, driving public relations and content strategy, managing broadcast operations, supporting athletic fundraising, and crafting messaging that connected alumni, fans, and supporters.
Thornton holds a B.S. in Finance from Florida State University and an M.S. in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University (FL). Most importantly, Derick is husband to Erin, father to two daughters, Serena and Aliyah.