NEWS
College of Business receives $1 million gift for Chair in finance
A gift of $1 million from the estate of the A.W. (Addison Walter) and Screven Thompson to Louisiana Tech University’ College of Business will create a Chair in the Department of Finance in memory of Virginia Spinks Thompson, mother of A.W.
The Thompson Chair enhances the College of Business’ attractiveness in recruiting and retaining top faculty. The Chair will be awarded to an outstanding business faculty member in finance.
The recipient of the Chair will be expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarly productivity, service effectiveness and collegiality. The Virginia Spinks Thompson Chair in Finance will be managed by Dr. Otis Gilley, chair of the Department of Economics and Finance.
Dr. James Lumpkin, dean of the College of Business, expressed his appreciation for the outstanding bequest from the estate of A.W. and Screven Thompson.
“Thanks to the generosity and vision of the Thompsons, the College of Business is better able to educate students as they address today’s complex financial structures. We are extremely grateful for this opportunity.”
A.W. and Screven Thompson were long-time residents of the Ruston community. A. W. graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1936 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Following graduation, A.W. Thompson served in the United States Army followed by a life-long career as a banking professional.
A.W. Thompson began his banking career at First National Bank in Ruston and, in 1975, became president of Ruston Building and Loan until his retirement in 1992. He continued as Director Emeritus at the Bank of Ruston until his death in July of 2009.
Screven Thompson was married to A.W. for 73 years and supported him in his career while participating in a number of civic and community organizations as well as in Trinity United Methodist Church where the couple were longtime members.
Screven was a Ruston native. Her mother, Eunice Coon Williamson, was a member of the Louisiana Tech faculty, teaching both English and Latin. The bequest also establishes a Chair in the School of Language and Literature in Williamson’s memory.
Written by Debbie Van De Velde – debrav@latech.edu