Former Student Life Leader Dies

Former Student Life Leader Dies

Denise M. Thompson—a former director of student activities, a director of residence halls, associate dean of students, and acting dean of students—died March 15, 2004, after a valiant battle with cancer. She was 62.

 

Thompson was born in Monterey, California, but later lived in Spokane, Washington; San Francisco; and Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Elmira College with a bachelor’s degree in speech and theatre in 1962; earned a standard teaching credential for grades K-9 from San Francisco State University in 1966; and received a master’s degree in counselor education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971.

 

As her educational background suggests, Thompson spent the bulk of her career working with and for students at various educational institutions, including at Lewis & Clark from 1973 to 1989. She left the College to become dean of students at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

 

In 1991, Thompson returned to the Portland area, where she joined the Windermere real estate firm as an assistant broker and agent. She retired from that position in February.

 

Thompson is survived by an aunt, several cousins, and many friends.