Virginia State University News January 11, 2011 Thompson Hospitality donates $1 million to VSU Thompson Hospitality today donated $1 million to Virginia State University. The gift represents the second-largest gift in the school’s 128-year history. Thompson Hospitality is the largest, minority-owned food service company in the United States. The company, based in Herndon, VA has over 3,200 employees and provides meals and facilities management at businesses and institutions in 45 states and four foreign countries. Ruby and Fred Thompson, Sr., parents of current company leaders Benita Thompson-Byas, Senior Vice President; Fred Thompson, Jr., Chief Administration Officer; and Warren Thompson, Chairman and President, both earned degrees from Virginia State. Warren Thompson said VSU was a natural beneficiary of the company’s success. “The foundation started at VSU,” he said. “We wanted to make a statement of support for education in Virginia. What better place than VSU?” Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell joined VSU President Keith T. Miller in accepting the Thompson gift. Governor McDonnell said the company exemplifies the private support necessary to help advance higher education. “Thompson Hospitality represents 30 years of successful entrepreneurship,” he said. “We’re thrilled they’re headquartered in Virginia.” Virginia State University received its first gift of $1 million or more in May 2010 from the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org www.hbculibraries.org 404.592.4820 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org Honor the ancestors, honor the children.