Columns Magazine THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ALUMNI MAGAZINE


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LUCILE THOMPSON
1912-2002

Lucile Thompson, the first president of the Alumnae Board, the most prolific scholarship fund-raising club of the UW Alumni Association, died Oct. 14 after suffering a stroke. She was 90.

Lucille Thompson. Photo courtesy Julie Myers

Lucille Thompson. Photo courtesy Julie Myers

The daughter of a Seattle dentist, Thompson, who was born March 30, 1912, attended the University of Washington for 1 1/2 years but had to quit school to work during the Great Depression. But her connection to the UW didn't end there.

In 1946, she became the first president of the Alumnae Board, a UW club that was formed by her mother, Carrie Cowgill Thompson, to fund scholarships for women. In 1909, Carrie Cowgill Thompson was the first woman to receive a scholarship to the UW. She was so inspired by her $100 award that she organized the Alumnae Board after World War II to continue raising money for women's scholarships. Lucile served as its president for two years.

In 1946, she became the first president of the Alumnae Board, a UW club that was formed by her mother, Carrie Cowgill Thompson, to fund scholarships for women. In 1909, Carrie Cowgill Thompson was the first woman to receive a scholarship to the UW. She was so inspired by her $100 award that she organized the Alumnae Board after World War II to continue raising money for women's scholarships. Lucile served as its president for two years.

Thompson, who also served on the board of the ASUW during the late 1940s, held season tickets to Husky football for 50 years. But it was her passion for education that drove her volunteer work at the UW.

"She was an early and forceful advocate for women's education during a time when it was not a popular idea," says her son, Timothy.

In honor of its first president, the Alumnae Board has created the Lucile Thompson Memorial Scholarship. Contributions may be sent to UWAB Scholarship Fund, Lucile Thompson Memorial, c/o UW Alumni Association, 1415 N.E. 45th Street, Seattle WA 98105.

- Jon Marmor


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