Alumni Spotlight

ULM Alum: Representative Francis Thompson

HAVING SERVED IN THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE for 48 years, Representative Francis Thompson is the longest serving legislator in Louisiana history. An advocate for education and regional growth, Representative Thompson is committed to the people and prosperity of Louisiana. Thompson was born and raised in Delhi, the third of six children, and grandson of one of the town’s two doctors at the time. His father, Clyde, was an engineer with the Louisiana Department of Transportation. His mother, Frances, a homemaker, had previously attended and was a member of the track team of the community college that is ULM today. A self-professed “street urchin,” he liked visiting various merchants around town. His family found it amusing that he referred to all the business owners by their first names, though he was a small boy. Then, as now, he loved and enjoyed people, and none of the adults seemed to take offense. Forming and nurturing those early relationships would serve the Representative well in his long-term career as a legislator. To serve the people, one must know and interact with the people, while fostering a vision for the future. While growing up, Thompson and his brothers walked the few blocks to and from school, picking up schoolmates along the way. Francis played basketball and baseball in high school, hunting and fishing when the opportunity arose. He continues to enjoy the outdoors today with his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren though he observes the games from the sidelines.

Francis followed his brothers to Louisiana Tech where he obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees before moving to Monroe. He had recently married his hometown sweetheart Marilyn and the couple soon started a family - sons Todd and Brant, and daughter Melissa. While in Monroe, he taught and drove a school bus several years before moving back to Delhi to join his father-in-law in a boat manufacturing business. He knew the importance of a good education and sought to make a broader impact. His mother impressed the value upon her children. He eventually served on the Richland Parish School Board from 1968-1975, his last years as president, until his resignation after being elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. His legislative service includes 36 years in the House of Representatives and 12 years in the Louisiana Senate. While serving on various education committees, Thompson got to know the ULM (then NLU) education professors and wanted to be a part of that growing community. On the advice of his good friend, Richland Parish School Superintendent “Mac” McConathy, Thompson visited ULM president George Walker, who wanted to hire Thompson but couldn’t do so without Thompson acquiring a doctorate which he proceeded to do. While Thompson was enrolled at ULM, he obtained a job with the State Department of Education and helped build relationships between the Department and the institution.

When Thompson began teaching in the ULM education department, he suggested off-campus classes for rural students who were teaching full-time. Teachers sought to obtain 30+ hours, so Thompson brought ULM classes to their communities. He would drive to Baton Rouge for a meeting, return to Winnsboro, Ferriday, Tallulah, or Bastrop to teach education courses, and then drive home to Delhi to spend time with his family, often repeating the process the next day. Thompson loved teaching, and teaching other teachers was the pinnacle of the profession. He continued to serve on education committees in the legislature and was appointed to the Southern Regional Education Board, a collection of 16 states that work to better education at every level. Thompson saw up close the impact that individual members could make on their communities. Thompson focused on educational improvements, particularly reading and math proficiency. The Representative said, “One cannot teach what one does not know.” Tirelessly fighting for his corner of the state, Thompson knows that education is pertinent to regional growth.

Approaching 50 years in the Louisiana legislature, Representative Thompson respects the role of government and firmly believes it is vital to a functioning democracy. Much like the Delhi boy who made friends with everyone he met, Thompson continues to build relationships and create policies to benefit Louisiana. As a ULM alumni and former faculty member, Thompson remains focused on extending ULM’s reach and the communities that the institution serves. He insists that we are fortunate to have people interested in our community and local leadership dedicated to its betterment. With the recent additions of V-COM and the Biomedical Research and Innovation Park, ULM is at the forefront of health sciences and healthcare. Thompson insists, “We can grow with the university. Its success is our success.”