Friday, December 11, 2009

Staff Spotlight: Lance Thompson

Lance Thompson, residence life hall director and assistant activities director, begins his day at Saint Mary’s University by “wak(ing) up to a quiet hall that increasingly gets louder as the day rolls by.” He then walks to the basement of the Michael H. Toner center to “manufacture fun and excitement for one and all.”

Thompson, a 2005 alum, holds a degree in political science and minors in sociology and philosophy. He began working at a Barnes and Noble in Wauwatosa, Wis., upon graduation but then moved back to Winona to work for Watkins Inc. “Those jobs were great, but I always wanted to work at Saint Mary’s,” said Thompson. “Finally, I got a lucky break, and the rest is history.”

At SMU, Thompson is in charge of Benilde, Gilmore and Yons halls, the residents inside them and the resident assistants who reside over them. Thompson is also the advisor for many clubs on campus, including Student Activities Committee and KSMR Radio. He also helps out in other areas of student life. Currently enrolled and working towards his Masters in Human Development focusing on Student Leadership and Development at the Twin Cities campus, Thompson said the reason he chose to come back to SMU was that, “being at Saint Mary’s is the only thing I am good at.” Thompson said his favorite memories at SMU include seeing Kuba Szymanskiwin Outstanding Senior last year, putting together Blue Angel or Gaslight acts or emceeing for those shows and seeing Lincoln Scully graduate because it was something he did not see coming.

“It was always my goal after I graduated to get back on campus to serve the students and community of Saint Mary’s,” said Thompson. “I love it here, and I hope to be here for a long time.”

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