Dr. Howard Elliot Thompson

Year Inducted: 2014

Dr. Howard Elliot Thompson graduated from Albany Academy and received a B.S. from Springfield College. He received post-graduate degrees from Ohio State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Thompson served in the Navy and Naval Reserve for 26 years starting in 1943. He served in the Southwest Pacific during WW II and retired in 1969 as a Commander.

Thompson first arrived in Wilkes County to serve as Principal of Wilkes Central High School in August 1953. He was 39 years old and planned on staying a year, getting experience and moving on. He left in 1962 to become superintendent of Chapel Hill Schools. Thompson did not sell his house and often visited Wilkes County for vacations and holidays. He was responsible for the desegregating of Chapel Hill Schools.

In 1965, Dr. Howard Thompson returned to Wilkes and was the founding president of Wilkes Community College (WCC). He served from March 1965 to June 1977 and built WCC into a highly respected educational institution. Upon his retirement, he was named President Emeritus. Thompson remained dedicated to WCC and education in Wilkes until he died. As the college grew over the years, WCC officials noted Thompson could be found at each college open house, ribbon cutting and dedication, smiling with pride of a doting grandfather at the growth and accomplishments of “his college.” The Administration Building at WCC is named Thompson Hall in honor of Dr. Howard Elliot Thompson for being an outstanding educator and administrator whose dedication and devotion made Wilkes Community College a reality.

Thompson was active in fundraising for the United Way, especially the YMCA. He was a member of the Rotary Club and served as a board member for First Union Bank. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Here is a direct quote from Dr. Thompson, “There are other places much grander than Wilkes County and places have much more to offer on paper, but I don’t think they have much more to offer in people wealth and real down-to-earthiness in dealing with you. I have really appreciated they took this Yank and adopted him.”