Chuck and Marjorie Thompson: Remembering an Indomitable Spirit With a Gift of Love

Marjorie Thompson's Sons Honor Her Memory With an Endowed Scholarship for Non-Traditional Women Students

Chuck and Marjorie Thompson

Chuck and Marjorie Thompson met at Harvard University in the 1940s. Marjorie was working a summer job in the dean's office while Chuck was attending Harvard as part of a Navy training program. They fell in love at first sight.

The Thompson brothers—three of whom are Syracuse University graduates—have established the Marjorie J. Thompson Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of their mother, who died in 1990 from an aggressive form of thyroid cancer. John '72, Paul '75, and Charley '76, along with older brothers Peter and Jim, established the scholarship to benefit non-traditional students—women who are returning to school after a long absence, like their mother did.

"My mom's education was interrupted and she never regretted it, but she also never lost the desire to complete her degree and have a career," Charley says. "We would love to see the scholarship go to someone just like that."

The five Thompson brothers

The five Thompson brothers—Peter, Jim, John, Paul, and Charley—created a scholarship in memory of their mother, Marjorie.

When Marjorie Thompson '74 was an undergraduate at Michigan State University in the 1940s, she took a summer job in the dean's office at Harvard University. One day a student who was enrolled at Harvard through the U.S. Navy's V12 Officer Training Program came into the office to meet with the dean and struck up a conversation with the attractive young assistant. They were both smitten, and he asked her out. On that first date, the sailor announced that he wanted to have five sons. "She was horrified at this and swore she would not go out on a second date with him," says Charley.

The Thompson brothers today

The Thompson brothers (L-R) Back: Pete, John and Paul. Front: Charley and Jim.

"My mom was indomitable. She was optimistic, energetic, extremely hardworking, forgiving, patient, supportive, and above all, loving. Our parents always taught us to be generous and give back, and we are inspired to create the Marjorie Thompson Scholarship because we want to help people like our mom. She continues to be our inspiration."
—Charley Thompson '76

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