Thomas Leslie Purce (born November 13, 1946)[1] is an American politician, conservationist, and university administrator who served as president of Evergreen State College from July 2000 through October 2015.

A member of the Democratic Party, Purce served as Director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare under governor John Evans from 1977 to 1987.

[4][5][6] After three years of serving as a member of the city council, he would run to become Mayor of Pocatello, and would go on to be successfully elected.

[7][8] After serving as Mayor for a year, he was appointed by Idaho governor John Evans in 1977 to serve as director of the Department of Health and Welfare,[6] an office he held for ten years.

[15][16] In 2023, Washington Governor Jay Inslee appointed Purce to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.