Wednesday, January 21, 2009
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, was recently honored by African American Golfer’s Digest as one of its 2009 Outstanding Leaders in Golf. Thompson joins other distinguished award recipients encompassing various professions, industries and ethnicity.
“Our 2009 honorees are exceptional individuals whose endeavors are opening doors and extending opportunities in the game throughout the industry to African Americans. Their efforts, foresight, courage and devotion are very deserving of this prized honor,” said Debert Cook, CMP, publisher of the five-year-old, national quarterly magazine. Cook selected the recipients from among numerous nominations.
Thompson is credited with being instrumental in the university’s recent distinction of being the first Historical Black College and the 20th university accredited by PGA of America to offer their Professional Golf Management Program. The PGA/PGM University Program is a four and a half year structured college curriculum for aspiring PGA professionals.
“I am delighted to accept this award,” said Thompson. “Envisioning golf as a viable program of study and career track at UMES, and having it come to fruition, has been a dream come true. The establishment of the PGA/PGM Program at UMES will bring opportunities in golf to deserving students and to the golfing community in Maryland.”
Thompson foresaw a program in golf upon first arriving at the rural, 745-acre campus, recognized nationally for its beauty. Over the six years of Thompson s leadership, the university has grown to an enrollment of over 4,000 students in 32 undergraduate, 11 master s and 6 doctoral programs. UMES is the sole research and doctoral granting institution on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Grants and sponsored research dollars total $20 million each year.
To commemorate this special tribute, honorees will be included in an editorial profile featured in the Winter/January 2009 issue of the African American Golfer’s Digest. Thompson will be joined by 31 other recipients, among them are UMES golf supporters Bill Dickey recognized for his work with the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association and Earnie Ellison of the PGA Foundation. Golfing great Gary Player will be awarded for his work with The Player Foundation, along with George Fellows of the Callaway Golf Company, Iain Page of The Golf Channel and Brian Whitcomb, the past president of the PGA of America.
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Gail Stephens, assistant director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-7580, gcstephens@umes.edu.
