A man whose name is synonymous with education will be honored by A&M-Commerce on Saturday, Nov. 4, during Homecoming 2000. Dr. Barry B. Thompson, Chancellor Emeritus of The Texas A&M University System, will be named a Distinguished Alumnus of A&M-Commerce. Thompson will receive a Distinguished Alumnus Citation at the Homecoming Luncheon and Pep Rally on Nov. 4. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Texas Ballroom of the MSC.

Dr. Barry B. Thompson

This award is given to alumni and former students whose career achievements have brought honor to their alma mater. A 1961 graduate of A&M-Commerce with a master’s degree in educational administration, Thompson served as chancellor of the A&M System from 1994 until his retirement in ’99. He worked in the A&M System for 24 years. This native Texan has been stalwart in his belief that education is the key to producing knowledgeable, talented future leaders for America’s communities, the states, and the nation. A popular public speaker, he delivers his message at more than 100 events each year.

Speaking to the Greenville Rotary Club in 1999, Thompson said this nation needs to be training young people to think for themselves. “There is no such thing as a free society without cost—not just financial costs. The importance of our free society, bought at a great cost, cannot be overstated,” Thompson said in a news story in The Greenville Herald Banner. “There is no free democracy. Gladiators keep us free, not spectators,” the newspaper reported.

As chancellor, Thompson refocused the mission of the A&M System back to one of serving grassroots Texans—the original land-grant university concept. Under his leadership, the system’s nine universities, health science center, and eight agencies focused on teaching, research, and service. A guiding principle has been for the A&M System to become the “people’s university system.”

Also while serving as chancellor, Thompson led the establishment of the Texas Higher Education Coalition, a group of leaders representing all higher education institutions in the state. The coalition is dedicated to retaining and graduating more college students in the state with a plan that calls for close working relationships between higher education and the public schools. A central focus is making sure there is a continuity in curriculum from elementary schools to the college and university levels.

A former high school science teacher, Thompson served as head of the A&M-Commerce department of secondary and higher education in 1975-76. He has also been honored by the secondary and higher education department as an A&M-Commerce Ambassador. From 1976-82, he served as vice president for Academic Affairs at A&M-Commerce. In ’82, Thompson became president of Tarleton State University. He held this post for eight years and then became president at West Texas A&M University. Thompson served in this leadership role at West Texas for three years and then was named interim chancellor of the A&M System in August 1994. The A&M-Commerce graduate became chancellor in September ’94.

Tickets for the Homecoming Luncheon and Pep Rally are $10, $5 for students. For reservations, call the Alumni Office at (903) 886-5765.