Thompson, who as vice president and treasurer of Ferrum College oversees
all of the school’s business affairs from accounting to human resources to the
physical plant, is also chairman of the Ferrum Water and Sewer Authority, and holds local,
district, and conference committee assignments in the United Methodist Church. Thompson
grew up in Ferrum and graduated from the college in 1970. He recently was honored with the
Beckham Medallion, the college’s highest alumni honor for service to church and
community.
While Thompson’s work with the 130-customer Water and Sewer Authority is just one
of his many responsibilities, it has a wide impact on the college and its community. With
a recent $3.1-million Rural Development loan/grant package, the Authority has upgraded and
expanded its wastewater treatment system. Now this community in the foothills of the Virginia Blue Ridge mountains is preparing for
a water project, which, when completed, will serve a new business park, as well as offer
improved services for Ferrum’s 400 community residents and the college community of
more than 1000. "We’re really happy with Anderson
& Associates’ oversight of the project and operation," he says.
"They helped set priorities, determined procedures, and kept things running to
standards while our employees were being trained. With the loan/grant and careful
planning, we were fortunate to be able to upgrade our system while keeping rates
affordable."
A few years ago Ferrum College decided to provide a computer in every residence-hall
room at no additional cost, so that students would have technology readily available to
support their educational pursuits. "Access to education is a priority,"
Thompson says. "I enjoy the variety of responsibilities I handle, especially working
with students and witnessing the difference Ferrum has made in their lives."
Thompson and his wife, Glenda, both graduated from Ferrum when it was a junior college
and went on to other universities for their baccalaureate degrees. Bobby Thompson received
a B.S. from Virginia Tech in 1972 and a Masters of
Administration from Lynchburg College in 1988.
After working in the retail sector for seven years, he returned to Ferrum in 1979 as
assistant business manager. He and his wife have two daughters, one who has just completed
graduate school and one in the process.
