Advertise & Recruit on HBCU CONNECT The #1 way to reach the HBCU community — 300K+ monthly visitors & 1.5M members View the Media Kit →
Quick Search

Active Bloggers

Joel Savage Joel Savage
class of 1993
Roger Gates Roger Gates
Hampton University class of 1995
HBCU CONNECT HBCU CONNECT
Central State University class of 1995
Reginald Claremont Reginald Claremont
Clark Atlanta University class of 1998
Ray Oster Ray Oster
University of Houston class of 2002
LaMarr Blackmon LaMarr Blackmon
Cal St Univ, Long Beach class of 1992
P C P C
class of
David Lockett David Lockett
class of
Cata Rizzle Cata Rizzle
Hampton University class of 2001

John W. Thompson

John W. Thompson
Posted By: Roger Gates on April 03, 2014
FEATURED Content

PROFESSION: Legendary Businessman
Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumnus John W. Thompson was appointed the independent chairman of computer software giant Microsoft Corp., replacing company founder Bill Gates.

Thompson, a 1971 graduate of the School of Business and Industry (SBI), first joined Microsoft's board of directors in February 2012, serving as a lead independent director, a role he will continue in tandem with the appointment.

"Florida A&M University celebrates this achievement with John as he continues to excel in the world of business," said FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson.



"This is an excellent example of how the education our students receive at FAMU will propel them from the classroom to the boardroom and beyond."

Thompson was inducted into the FAMU SBI Hall of Fame in 2011.

"John's selection as chairman of Microsoft, one of the world's most accomplished software companies, is a testament to the preparation that students receive at FAMU," said Shawnta Friday-Stroud, dean of SBI. "He has been a major supporter of SBI through both his time and resources. We are extremely proud."

Thompson received his bachelor's degree in business administration from FAMU. He earned a master's degree in management from the Sloan Fellows program of the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Microsoft actively recruits HBCU graduates through a partnership with HBCUConnect.com. To share your resume with Microsoft recruiters visit the following page:
www.hbcuconnect.com/microsoft?src=chairman_post
If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email!
Comments
Please Login To Post Comments...
Email:
Password:

 
More From This Author
NCCU Awarded $4.9 Million to Accelerate Its Path to R2 Research Status
America's Next Historically Black Medical School Earns Preliminary Accreditation
Memphis Legend Project Pat to Headline LeMoyne-Owen College's "LOCHELLA" Homecoming Music Festival
Your Finance Career Starts With Connections. Meet 16 Major Firms at The Future of Finance Event!
Trichomoniasis in Black Men: Silent, Common and Curable
Lichen Planus on Black Skin: Purple, Gray or Brown Bumps
Latest Famous HBCU Alumni
Crispus Attucks: American Revolutionary Hero?

Crispus Attucks: American Revolutionary Hero?

Crispus Attucks is a name that twenty-first century American schoolchildren usually learn in their introduction to the American Revolution and its heroes. Attucks—a man of African and Native American ...more
Hija Chang • 985 Views • July 25th, 2026
On International Chess Day, Celebrating Maurice Ashley – The First African American Chess Grandmaster

On International Chess Day, Celebrating Maurice Ashley – The First African American Chess Grandmaster

Content Artist: Shourjyani Chatterjee Maurice Ashley became the first Black chess Grandmaster in 1999. He coached young players from Harlem and became a globally recognised chess commentator. ...more
Hija Chang • 889 Views • July 24th, 2026
How Dr. Samuel Lee Kountz, Jr. revolutionized kidney transplants

How Dr. Samuel Lee Kountz, Jr. revolutionized kidney transplants

Born in Lexa, Arkansas in 1930, Dr. Kountz had to work hard and overcome several obstacles to reach his goal of becoming a doctor. Despite failing the entrance exam at his first attempt applying for c ...more
Hija Chang • 875 Views • July 20th, 2026
N.C A&T JOMC Alumna Jada Webb Selected for National Geographic Content Scholarship Program

N.C A&T JOMC Alumna Jada Webb Selected for National Geographic Content Scholarship Program

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 20, 2026) - Jada Webb '26, who graduated from the mass communication program in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JOMC) at North Carolina Agricultural and ...more
Roger Gates • 1,241 Views • May 20th, 2026
Two-Time N.C. A&T Alumnus Named Harvard Graduate School of Design Loeb Fellow

Two-Time N.C. A&T Alumnus Named Harvard Graduate School of Design Loeb Fellow

North Carolina A&T alumnus Kamal Bell becomes the first graduate to be named a Harvard Graduate School of Design Loeb Fellow, bringing his innovative vision of civic culture design and sustainable far ...more
Roger Gates • 1,240 Views • May 19th, 2026
Popular Famous HBCU Alumni
Della Miles takes Michelle Obama to the stage in

Della Miles takes Michelle Obama to the stage in "Obama the Musical"

When Della Miles was a student at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, everyone new she would be a brighter star one day having been selected Miss PVAMU and 4th Runner-up to Miss Texas/America 1984. ...more
Frederick Roberts • 91,331 Views • April 11th, 2010
Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey, the multi media mogul, has garnered international appeal for her talk show. As the first Black woman billionaire in world history, Winfrey has overtaken EBay CEO, Meg Whitman, as the ri ...more
Reginald Claremont • 39,958 Views • September 30th, 2005
Kerry D. Chandler

Kerry D. Chandler

PROFESSION: Legendary HR Executive Kerry D. Chandler, a San Diego, CA native, is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at the National Basketball Association responsible for leading the leag ...more
Ryan Rogers • 34,942 Views • May 3rd, 2011
Wale

Wale

Did you know that rapper Wale attended 2 HBCUs!? Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (born September 21, 1984), better known by his stage name Wale (/ˈwɔːleɪ/ WAW-lay), is an American ...more
Roger Gates • 34,875 Views • March 27th, 2014
Rick Ross - Yep Another HBCU Alumnus

Rick Ross - Yep Another HBCU Alumnus

William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group. He was born in Coahoma County, M ...more
Reginald Claremont • 33,772 Views • September 1st, 2010
Please Give Us a Like on Facebook!
Featured Members