Thompson retiring after 42 years

The 250th anniversary of the United States is serving as a time of reflection for many, including Harry Thompson, the executive director for the Center for Western Studies (CWS).

Thompson, who led the charge for America 250 at the CWS, has decided that he will retire on July 31 after 42 years of involvement at Augustana.

President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin made the announcement during the 29th Boe Forum, thanking Thompson for his decades of dedication to Augustana and the CWS.

Thompson, who began working at Augustana in 1984, originally worked as an English professor and an editor and archivist for the CWS. After three years of teaching writing courses at Augustana, Thompson switched to working at the CWS full time.

When the previous executive director stepped down in 2009, the Board of Directors chose Thompson — who had already served as interim director twice — to take over in 2010.

After being selected for executive director, Thompson said that he sought to increase the self-reliance of the CWS.

“One of the success stories that I’m most proud of is to have worked with donors to bring the Center to a position of financial stability,” Thompson said.

According to Thompson, the CWS does receive funding from Augustana, but much of the money for employee salaries and benefits relies on donations, which fluctuate heavily each year. Because of this, Thompson wanted to ensure that he left behind “a large endowment that would provide financial stability into the future.”

During his tenure, Thompson also focused on establishing the CWS as a strong regional force for education and history.

“He believes so deeply in the mission [of] the Center for Western Studies and how it is both in-reaching and outreaching with both colleagues and students, and regional partners and alumni,” Herseth Sandlin said. “His legacy with the excellence of the programming, the partnerships he’s established, the record of publication under his tenure, often editing and co-editing the number of volumes important to this region, is extraordinary.”

Thompson also said that the conclusion of his most recent project, editing “Missouri, America’s Longest River: A Cultural and Environmental History,” helped him to make the retirement decision. The three-year endeavor has now been published as a collection of essays and writings from 35 local authors from the seven states the river runs through.

“One of the things that I deeply admire about Harry is how he has been so supportive of writers from this part of the world,” Patrick Hicks, Writer-in-Residence and chair of the English and journalism department, said.

Hicks added that Thompson helped him publish his 2010 anthology of South Dakota poets, “Harvest of Words.”

Thompson said another upcoming project of his is “Augustana Like Always, Augustana Like Never Before: Entering the 21st Century,” which the university has asked him to write. The book will be edited by Michael Mullin and Margaret Preston, both professors of history.

As the first person in his family to go to college, Thompson said he developed a love for higher education and all that it offers.

“I knew that I wanted to teach, and I wanted to share my passion, you might say, with knowledge,” Thompson said.

Junior Calli Radel, a history and theater double major and CWS intern, said that Thompson always takes time out of his day to talk with students.

“He’s encouraging with the students he talks to, encouraging them in their intellectual pursuits,” Radel said. “He seems to be somebody that takes care in the students that he works with and that he talks to.”

During his retirement, Thompson plans to continue researching and writing. He said he’s also open to consultation work, such as advising other research centers on how to host events and raise funding.

To find Thompson’s replacement, the CWS Board of Directors has created a search committee with nine members. They will begin accepting applications on May 15 and will work over the summer to choose a candidate. Once someone is selected, the decision will be sent to Herseth Sandlin for approval.

“I think it’s important we honor his legacy, the last 16 years as the executive director, but also to recognize all of the other contributions he’s made to Augustana over the years, including in the classroom and his passion for teaching,” Herseth Sandlin said.