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
More From This Author
Latest Famous HBCU Alumni
|
|
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 GrandmasterContent 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 transplantsBorn 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 ProgramEAST 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 FellowNorth 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 "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 WinfreyOprah 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. ChandlerPROFESSION: 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 |
|
|
WaleDid 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 AlumnusWilliam 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 |



