蘑菇短视频mourns passing of Honors College benefactor Greg Thompson
By Bill Studenc
Members of the 蘑菇短视频 community are mourning the loss of friend and donor Greg Thompson, known as a generous supporter of WCU鈥檚 Brinson Honors College and a passionate advocate for the life-changing experience of studying internationally.
Thompson died Sunday, Feb. 9.
Greg and Mary Thompson
A retired insurance executive with homes in Highlands and Atlanta, Thompson and wife Mary had recently established the Thompson Study Abroad Annual Program Fund to provide Brinson Honors College students with immersive study-abroad opportunities.
With the inaugural Thompson Scholar currently studying in Spain while staying with a Spanish family and immersing herself in that nation鈥檚 culture, the Thompson gift is already having an impact on 蘑菇短视频students, said Chancellor Kelli R. Brown.
鈥淕reg often spoke of how his own personal experiences studying in France and living with a French family as a timid undergraduate helped him break out of his comfort zone, discover newfound self-confidence and develop skills that served him well in a successful globe-spanning career,鈥� Brown said.
鈥淲e grieve at the news of his unexpected passing, and we are saddened by the fact that he will no longer be able to witness the impact of his philanthropy on the lives of our students,鈥� she said. 鈥淥n behalf of the campus community, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Mary and other members of the family.鈥�
Although neither are alumni of WCU, the Thompsons quickly discovered the university through their Highlands friends and neighbors Jack and Judy Brinson, for whom the Honors College is now named, said Jill Granger, dean of the college.
Upon Judy Brinson鈥檚 death in 2021, the Thompsons established the Judy Brinson Endowed Scholarship Fund in her memory to provide scholarship assistance to Honors College students from North Carolina.
鈥淕reg Thompson鈥檚 fingerprints are all over this college,鈥� Granger said. 鈥淔rom his generous contribution in honor of Judy Brinson to his most recent gift establishing an annual fund that will allow many of our students to experience the transformative power of immersive study-abroad opportunities, it is no exaggeration to say that Greg has left an enduring mark on our Honors College community.鈥�
In addition to his gifts of treasure, he also contributed his time and talent as a volunteer in the Highlands-Cashiers area and as a frequent speaker at Brinson Honors College events, Granger said. 鈥淗is presence will be greatly missed, but we are uplifted by the fact that his legacy will endure through the impact of his philanthropy on our students,鈥� she said.
He was the former owner and CEO of Thompson Insurance Enterprises (THOMCO) in Atlanta. Founded in 1979 by him and his father, THOMCO was acquired by Markel, a global insurance company. He recently served as a consultant and senior adviser for a number of specialty insurance agencies.
The Thompsons hosted events for the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival and the Bascom Arts Center in Highlands. He served on the board of the Bascom and on the Parish Council of Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church in Highlands.
Services will be held on Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, with details available in his .
For more information about the Thompson Study Abroad Annual Program Fund, see story link.
