Culver-Stockton College announced the retirement of a dear friend to the college, Kelly M. Thompson, President of Culver-Stockton, and the students here wanted to ask her a ton of questions. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit down and talk with President Thompson about her memories here at Culver-Stockton College and what ultimately made her want to come to The Hill.

What initially made you decide you wanted to come to campus?

“When my husband and I were brought to campus for basically a day and a half of interviews, it was really the people. It was the students I talked to, it was the faculty, the staff, and the trustees.” President Thompson continues, “Everyone here was saying well what we need to do is make [Culver-Stockton College] better for the students.

What is one thing that you are proud of, that you have contributed to the school?

“Our comprehensive campaign – Changing Lives. Right now, we have raised over 21 million dollars in cash and pledges and those dollars have gone to support student scholarships, facility enhancements, endowments, athletics, and fine arts programs.”

What do you plan to do in your retirement?

“I have a couple of hobbies – which I am not very good at – I am a really terrible golfer, so I want to become a better golfer. I love to swim, so I am thinking warmer climates and lap swimming will be part of my daily routine. Clark and I would love to travel more, we see all these amazing trips students have been on and think, ‘What in the world? They are better traveled than we are!'”

What is your favorite memory of being on The Hill?

“The night that Ron Leftwich and I judged karaoke. It was Ron’s idea to do the shark song, and when we got up to do the shark song with Dean Gill, we finished and all the students were out dancing and rushed the stage and started dancing and singing “Baby Shark” together until it seemed like they wouldn’t stop playing it. I really do think that was my favorite memory.”

Between laughter and jokes throughout this interview, this last question was the question that made us both choke up a little: What do you hope people remember about you when you officially say your goodbyes to the hill?

“I hope they will remember – that’s the hardest one for me – I hope they’ll remember that I cared deeply about the students and I cared deeply about young people realizing their potential and that my time here was spent well. That the work I did was meaningful and that it was all about the students.”

President Thompson will always have a special place in the hearts of the students, faculty, and staff here at Culver-Stockton College. I know I can speak for others when I say, “We will miss you.”