From BGSU OFFICE OF MARKETING & BRAND STRATEGY
DETROIT — A Michigan couple is contributing millions to support their commitment of changing lives through education. Bob and Ellen Thompson believe that education can make a significant difference in everyone’s life. Their latest gift of $52 million* is to support Thompson Working Families Scholarships. The Thompsons already have contributed $33 million to Thompson Working Families Scholarships and with this additional $52 million over 5,200 students will receive support.
The money is going to three universities – Bowling Green State University, $27 million; Saginaw Valley State University, $6 million; and Grand Valley State University, $19 million.
The Thompsons, as part of their commitment to changing lives through education, have also invested more than $125 million to provide nine rent-free, nonprofit, public charter schools in the City of Detroit. Today more than 4,600 students attend these Thompson schools.
In 2011 the Thompsons established the Working Families Scholarship Program. It was Ellen Thompson’s idea to help what she termed as “working families.” She realized from working with universities, there appeared to be a gap in financial support for students. She saw that students whose parents had adequate financial resources did not need help. And that students who came from very limited means had many opportunities for scholarships. But students from working families, of limited means, had little or no outside financial support.
So, with her encouragement this is how it started. The Foundation’s CEO John Cleary started working with what is now four universities – Bowling Green State University, Saginaw Valley State University, Grand Valley State University, and Michigan Technological University. After several renditions a contract agreement was worked out to support students of working families of limited means.
From experience, the Thompsons learned that when you fully fund a student for a four-year college education there is a low rate of success. It was obvious to them that for a program to be successful everyone involved must take some responsibility. Or as they say, “have some skin in the game.” So, the agreements that Cleary developed with the universities have four participants. The Thompsons invest $5,000 per student; their investment is matched with $5,000 from the university. The parents and the student make up the remaining cost with savings, loans, additional university or federal grant support and from the student working
The students who receive the Thompson Working Families Scholarships must maintain a specified grade point average and commit to community service hours. The universities agree to provide necessary resources, including counseling and tutoring, to maintain high cohort graduation rates.
Bob Thompson has a message for the scholarship students: “Even though you may not have a lot of money, you can help others, by a smile, a kind word, or listening when a friend is having a problem. Do what you can and, someday, I hope you’ll look back and say, ‘Being helped and helping others changed my life.'”
Bowling Green State University
Since 1981, 1,093 BGSU students have received Thompson scholarships, with funding totaling $6.5 million for Working Families Scholarships and $10.4 million for President’s Leadership Academy Scholarships.
In 2020, Bowling Green State University received the largest gift in its history from alumni and philanthropists Robert and Ellen (Bowen) Thompson to expand the Thompson Working Families Scholarship and their other scholarship programs at the University. The $27 million gift provides thousands of future students with greater access to a BGSU education through scholarships that support those from working families, military backgrounds and high-potential students who have significant financial need. This transformational commitment from Bob and Ellen Thompson also makes them the University’s largest and most generous philanthropists to date with lifetime giving now totaling $46.9 million. Both Bob and Ellen Thompson hold honorary doctorates from BGSU.
“We are exceptionally grateful for the continued generosity of alumni Bob and Ellen Thompson, who have been incredible supporters of BGSU for decades,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “They have made an immeasurable impact on hundreds of BGSU students, and with this unprecedented gift, we will be positioned to ensure a BGSU education is accessible and affordable for many deserving students.”
“Due to the immense financial support the Thompson Scholarship awarded me, my financial stress was alleviated which allowed me to focus on my studies and extracurricular involvements during my undergraduate career,” said Estee Miller, BGSU student and Thompson scholarship recipient through the Thompson Working Family Achievement Scholarship program. “Bob and Ellen’s belief and confidence in students like myself is so humbling, and I am very grateful that they recognize the power of an education and degree from BGSU.”
Grand Valley State University
Since 2008, 1,158 GVSU students have received Thompson scholarships, with funding to date totaling $11.5 million. In 2020, the Thompsons added an additional $19 million to this program. This is the largest private scholarship program at Grand Valley State University.
President Philomena V. Mantella: “At Grand Valley, we have many students who are the first in their families to attend college, and we know education is a game changer, well, so is the incredible generosity of Bob and Ellen Thompson. Because of their focus on hard working families and students, more young people are receiving the support they need to prepare for their future.”
Lynn “Chick” Blue, special advisor to the president: “Bob and Ellen Thompson are truly making a difference for our students. They are taking away a roadblock and lifting a burden by allowing students to concentrate on their studies and college activities without so many financial worries.”
GVSU student Landyn Teachout, communications studies major from Grandville: “It has always been my goal to pay for the majority of my college experience through working and obtaining scholarships. During the summer, I work at Target full time, and during the school year, I am a resident assistant here at GVSU. I feel fortunate to be on the receiving end of the Thompsons’ generosity.
Saginaw Valley State University
Since 2016, 379 SVSU students have received Thompson scholarships, with funding to date totaling $3.4 million.
Saginaw Valley State University will increase scholarship opportunities for hundreds of students through the generosity of Robert and Ellen Thompson. This new $6 million gift is the largest single gift in SVSU history, and it builds upon a partnership with the Thompson Foundation that began in 2016.
“We deeply appreciate the Thompsons’ profound generosity and their show of faith in students from working families,” said Donald Bachand, SVSU president. “They have provided hope and opportunity to many capable students who thought a college degree might be out of reach financially. By supporting scholarships for four years, they provide motivation and support for those students to complete degrees and pursue meaningful careers.”
“This scholarship helped me immensely,” said Emily Wahl, a native of Bad Axe, Michigan, who worked as the business manager of The Valley Vanguard, SVSU’s student newspaper, and as a student ambassador in the SVSU Admissions office. She graduated from SVSU in December 2020 with a degree in professional accountancy. “By working during my college years and thanks to the scholarships I received, I haven’t had to take out a loan at all, and I’m really thankful for that opportunity.”
Previous stories:
BGSU Celebrates Naming of Bowen-Thompson Quadrangle
Who are the Thompsons?
Lifetime Achievement Award
Michigan couple gives $3 million to BGSU student union
An earlier version of this release stated that all $52 million was going to BGSU. Instead that’s the total be contributed to three colleges.
