Legacy giving to ‘support what matters’ at SNC

Ed Thompson

Longtime Green Bay-area businessman, avid fisherman and St. Norbert College trustee Ed Thompson wants his family’s legacy to strengthen the future of the institution he has grown to cherish. He joins the growing number of alumni and community members ensuring that a strong St. Norbert College continues for generations to come.

Ed’s late wife, Sally, began volunteering in the ticket office for music faculty member Dudley Birder’s musical theatre productions. “It got in our blood,” says Ed. When Sally passed away, the family honored her memory by creating the Sally Thompson Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship’s impact will be expanded through Ed’s future gift, which will be realized after his lifetime.

“Once it’s explained in a simple way, legacy giving makes a lot of sense,” says Ed. “It fits my personal life plan: to provide support for the college in a way that fits in with what leaving a legacy is all about.”

Given that there are countless areas of need in the Green Bay community and beyond, Ed shares why he chooses to give back to SNC in this meaningful way: “I have always been truly impressed with the graduates when they come back and talk about what they’ve done with their lives. As I listen to and reflect on their successes and their contributions, it’s clear that there is something really great going on at St. Norbert College.”

Ed, who received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the college in 2006, first became involved with SNC in the early 1970s, when his career as an executive with Procter & Gamble brought him to Green Bay to lead the company’s paper operations. He believed strongly in the importance of business leaders giving back to their local community. Friendships he formed with then-SNC president Neil Webb and Dudley Birder drew him in even more. Today, Ed is president of business consulting firm Thompson Management Associates and enjoys serving on the SNC board of trustees. He is co-chair of the cabinet for the college’s new fundraising campaign, Support What Matters.

A person known for leading by example, Ed made his legacy gift commitment to help kick off the campaign. “This campaign will be successful,” he says. “This will protect our future. There is a lot on which to build, and we have to keep building.”

Ed is passionate about using his resources to help SNC continue to innovate, adapt and grow. “I recognize I am not going to be here forever. Anything I can do to help St. Norbert remain strong and viable going forward is powerful to me.”

To join Ed in helping to ensure a bright future at SNC, please contact Amy McNeely at 920-403-3059 or amy.mcneely@snc.edu today. We look forward to helping you create your legacy.

June 15, 2022