Established on 10.22.2021 by Paul M.'69 and Joan C. '68 Thompson  

Concordia College holds some special memories for Paul '69 and Joan '68 Thompson. They have hardly ever missed a Concordia Christmas Concert and have been on two trips with Concordia to Germany and Israel. Paul graduated with a degree in sociology and Joan in home economics.

After college, Paul was drafted into the U.S. Army. Afterward, he spent 40-plus years in furniture sales. Joan settled in Alexandria, MN, in 1968 and began teaching high school home economics (six years) and later moved to the Alexandria Technical and Community College where she developed and taught in Early Childhood Programming for 27 years. They have lived in Alexandria since ’68 and have been involved in church, service organizations, and numerous community groups.

Two of their three children, Ingrid and Naomi ’00, graduated from Concordia and went on to physical therapy and veterinary medicine. Thus, they wish to use the endowment for scholarships to students seeking help in studies of physical or occupational therapy and veterinary medicine.

The Paul M. ’69 and Joan C. ’68 (Norgaard) Thompson Endowed Scholarship is awarded by the Office of Financial Aid to one or more students majoring in one of Concordia’s pre-health professions programs, with preference given to students majoring in pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy or those planning for a career in veterinary medicine.