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 |
| 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.
- 1 2 Pete LaFleur. "Irish Trailblazers". Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ↑ Margaret Fosmoe (February 26, 2009). "1947 saw first black Notre Dame grads". South Bend Tribune. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Notre Dame Honor". Jet. July 21, 1997.