Frazier Leon Thompson Sr., (192?-1991), originally from Philadelphia was the first African-American student to enroll at and graduate from the University of Notre Dame. Thompson began attending Notre Dame in 1944 as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program and graduated in the class of 1947. He was also the first African-American student to compete in Notre Dame athletics and to win a Notre Dame monogram.[1][2] Thompson went on to work with the United States Postal Service and as an engineer testing space suit design at NASA[3][4]
Frazier Leon Thompson | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 1991 Dover, DE |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Engineer |
Years active | 1944-1990 |
Known for | First African-American graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Scholarship in his honor at the university. |
In 1997, the university created the Frazier Thompson scholarship in his honor. The scholarship was first awarded in 1998.[3][5]
References
edit- ^ "Sprint Star Blazes Trail at Notre Dame". Baltimore Afro-American. March 23, 1946. p. 31. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ "Notre Dame to Honor Black Athletes". Leader Publications. August 29, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ a b Pete LaFleur. "Irish Trailblazers". Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ Margaret Fosmoe (February 26, 2009). "1947 saw first black Notre Dame grads". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ "Notre Dame Honor". Jet. July 21, 1997.