DelmarvaNow.com March 23, 2011 UMES President to Retire PRINCESS ANNE -- President Thelma B. Thompson is retiring, saying that after nine years on the job she's accomplished what she set out to do and is ready to step down. "They have been spectacular years for me and for the university," said the soft-spoken, 70-year-old Thompson, who will officially step down from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Aug. 15. Thompson said at Wednesday's news conference that she's most proud of the academic improvements and global partnerships made under her watch. When Thompson became president in July 2002, the college was in danger of shutting down, she said. The Maryland Higher Education Commission declared that UMES was a "low performing institution" -- a classification that jeopardized federal funding at a school where nine in 10 students receive financial aid. Those were "lonely days," recalled Thompson, who said she focused on moving the school forward and not pointing fingers. Under Thompson's leadership, the college increased its number of accredited programs from four to 25. The college added programs in engineering, pharmacy, professional golf management and history. "There are some people here who are not happy with me because I stand for change," Thompson said. Members of the University System of Maryland, including Chancellor William E. Kirwan, complimented Thompson's leadership. "UMES has earned and maintained critical academic program accreditations and has consistently earned U.S. News & World Report's ranking as one of the country's best historically black colleges," Kirwan said in a prepared statement. Looking forward, looking back Thompson is the 13th president in school history, going back to 1886. She is the fifth longest-serving -- a long way behind Thomas Kiah, who was president from 1910-36. During Thompson's tenure, school enrollment increased by 25 percent, up to a record high of 4,500 students this past fall. The University System of Maryland is expected to lead the search for Thompson's replacement. Thompson did not have a contract and was free to resign. A native of Jamaica, Thompson has spent nearly four decades in higher education. She holds a doctorate in philosophy in English literature from Howard University -- and hasn't ruled out returning to the classroom, where she has taught English at the college level. But Thompson's first goal is to finish her novel. She said she's 80 percent of the way through a book about domestic workers who leave Jamaica for the United States. What follows is the conflict faced by a family living apart, and also some intrigue regarding Jamaica's notorious marijuana trade. "My home is in Odenton, Md. I will return home so I can be close to my mother, siblings and daughters," Thompson said. "I'll always be a Marylander. The Eastern Shore will always be a part of my life." Thompson said she knows many alumni are disappointed she wasn't able to resurrect the school's defunct football program. Thompson said on Wednesday it would cost $10 million to bring back the program, which years ago was an NCAA powerhouse. "I hope I'm still alive when you get it. I'll come to the first game," Thompson said. Faculty members say they will miss Thompson's role as a visionary. Students in the college's hotel and restaurant management program benefited from real-world catering experience at the annual gala events, said Ernest Boger, chairman of the HRIM department. "She's a person you want to see succeed, so you're inspired to help her make that vision work," Boger said. A passion for literature Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach said an emphasis on entrepreneurship and increasing global ties has been a hallmark of Thompson's presidency. During Thompson's tenure, the college created the nonprofit Maryland Hawk Corp. -- which has worked on various engineering projects. "I think I speak for many when I say we shall miss her gracious presence, lilting Jamaican accent, and radiant smile," Eshbach said. Thompson's 21-page resume, posted to her personal website, tells the story of a young woman who started her career as a Jamaican school teacher and ended as the president of an American university. In 1966, after moving to the United States, Thompson worked part-time as a proofreader for The Washington Post and during nights was an English instructor at an adult education program in the city. She later taught English-related courses at Lehman College of the City University of New York in Bronx, N.Y.; Bowie State College; and at the University of the District Columbia. Next, in her final stop before UMES, Thompson was the vice president for academic affairs at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va. From 1998 to 2002, Thompson said she oversaw the school's 39 undergraduate and 14 graduate programs, working with a student population of 7,000 and faculty of more than 400. Thompson said UMES will always hold a special place in her heart. "I love the faculty here. They have been wonderful and hardworking, among the best I've worked with in my career." (Page 2 of 2) A native of Jamaica, Thompson has spent nearly four decades in higher education. She holds a doctorate in philosophy in English literature from Howard University -- and hasn't ruled out returning to the classroom, where she has taught English at the college level. But Thompson's first goal is to finish her novel. She said she's 80 percent of the way through a book about domestic workers who leave Jamaica for the United States. What follows is the conflict faced by a family living apart, and also some intrigue regarding Jamaica's notorious marijuana trade. "My home is in Odenton, Md. I will return home so I can be close to my mother, siblings and daughters," Thompson said. "I'll always be a Marylander. The Eastern Shore will always be a part of my life." Thompson said she knows many alumni are disappointed she wasn't able to resurrect the school's defunct football program. Thompson said on Wednesday it would cost $10 million to bring back the program, which years ago was an NCAA powerhouse. "I hope I'm still alive when you get it. I'll come to the first game," Thompson said. Faculty members say they will miss Thompson's role as a visionary. Students in the college's hotel and restaurant management program benefited from real-world catering experience at the annual gala events, said Ernest Boger, chairman of the HRIM department. "She's a person you want to see succeed, so you're inspired to help her make that vision work," Boger said. A passion for literature Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach said an emphasis on entrepreneurship and increasing global ties has been a hallmark of Thompson's presidency. During Thompson's tenure, the college created the nonprofit Maryland Hawk Corp. -- which has worked on various engineering projects. "I think I speak for many when I say we shall miss her gracious presence, lilting Jamaican accent, and radiant smile," Eshbach said. Thompson's 21-page resume, posted to her personal website, tells the story of a young woman who started her career as a Jamaican school teacher and ended as the president of an American university. In 1966, after moving to the United States, Thompson worked part-time as a proofreader for The Washington Post and during nights was an English instructor at an adult education program in the city. She later taught English-related courses at Lehman College of the City University of New York in Bronx, N.Y.; Bowie State College; and at the University of the District Columbia. Next, in her final stop before UMES, Thompson was the vice president for academic affairs at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va. From 1998 to 2002, Thompson said she oversaw the school's 39 undergraduate and 14 graduate programs, working with a student population of 7,000 and faculty of more than 400. Thompson said UMES will always hold a special place in her heart. "I love the faculty here. They have been wonderful and hardworking, among the best I've worked with in my career." glatshaw@dmg.gannett.com<mailto:glatshaw@dmg.gannett.com> 410-845-4643 SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.