Gov. Gregoire Appoints Dick Thompson to WWU Board of Trustees

Gov. Chris Gregoire has appointed alumnus Dick Thompson to Western Washington University’s Board of Trustees. “We are very pleased to learn of Dick Thompson’s appointment to the Western Board of Trustees,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard. “We are fortunate that we continue to be able to attract strong members to the board, people like Dick who have distinguished themselves as leaders in our state. With his broad base of experience, he will be a real asset to Western.” Thompson’s term on the Board of Trustees is effective immediately and ends in September 2015. Western Board of Trustee Chairperson Dennis Madsen echoed Shepard’s support of Thompson’s appointment. “Dick is a person who is highly connected throughout the state and who knows how to get things done. His experience in higher education and state government and his roots to Western as a student will serve Western well.” Thompson said he was thrilled to be returning to Western. “I graduated from Western in 1965, and my father got his teaching degree from Western in 1927, when it was still called the Bellingham Normal School. So my family roots there are strong,” he said. “I have a real passion for higher education, and have been involved in it for a long time,” Thompson said. “And I think a real commitment to higher education is critical for the future of our state, so I’m ready to get to work.” Thompson has a long and distinguished record of public service in Washington state, having previously served as the state budget director under Gov. Gary Locke as well as a position as the chief of staff to Gov. Booth Gardner. He retired from executive positions at the University of Washington – including director of Government Relations and interim athletic director – and has 15 years of experience as city attorney or city manager in Snohomish, Everett, and Puyallup. He now consults on tax and budget, public policy and leadership issues. Born and raised in Everett and now living in Olympia, Thompson received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Washington University, and his juris doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law. In 2001 Thompson was honored by the Seattle-King County Municipal League with its Warren G. Magnuson Award, and by the University of Washington School of Law Alumni Association with its 2001 Service Recognition Award. For more information, contact Paul Cocke at the Western Washington University Office of University Communications at (360) 650-3350.