FAMU Athletics receives $115,000 gift for endowed scholarship

Tola Thompson

Tola Thompson, a FAMU alumnus, has made a $115,000 gift to FAMU Athletics to establish  The George and Alice Thompson Endowed Scholarship. This initiative aims to enhance the student-athlete experience and make an ever-lasting positive impact on the FAMU athletic program and the student athlete experience.

The scholarship is named in honor of Thompson's parents, George and Alice Thompson, both of whom played vital roles in the FAMU Athletics community. George Thompson, affectionately known as the "Godfather," dedicated 49 years to the university as the athletic trainer and equipment manager. His legacy is commemorated in the football locker room, which proudly bears his name.

Alice Thompson, who passed away in 2018, significantly contributed to the development of student-athletes in the late 1980s, serving as a tutor and leading FAMU Athletics' first all-female booster club, "The Tight Ends Club."

"FAMU and FAMU Athletics mean a great deal to our family," said Tola Thompson. "My parents, my brother, my sister, and I all received a great education here. It is a big honor for me to give back in this way. This endowed scholarship is just one way I can express my gratitude."

Thompson expressed enthusiasm for the future of FAMU Athletics, stating, "I can’t wait to see how future Rattlers will make their mark on our legacy."

FAMU’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, Angela Suggs, expressed deep appreciation for Thompson's generosity. "On behalf of FAMU Athletics, I extend our heartfelt thanks to Tola for his commitment to our program," Suggs said. "This level of dedication exemplifies the immense pride our alumni have in FAMU Athletics. We are proud to have this fully endowed scholarship, and we hope it inspires future generations of Rattlers to achieve greatness and uphold our proud tradition of excellence."

Tuition account for about 23 percent of FAMU's overall athletic budget.  A fully endowed athletic scholarship eases the financial burden off the athletic budget by allowing the interest generated from the endowment to cover tuition expenses. The interest from this endowment will cover the full tuition of one FAMU student-athlete each year and help to ensure that they have the resources they need to succeed both on the field and in the classroom.