Our Crowdfunding Groups
Robert (Bob) and Ellen Thompson believe in the power of education, commitment to a cause, and hard work. Together since college, they have embarked on both a personal and entrepreneurial journey—starting a family, founding and growing several businesses, and building Michigan’s largest asphalt paving company, Thompson-McCully Co. 40 years after its inception, the Thompsons sold the business in 1999, shared the proceeds of the sale with employees, and formed the Thompson Foundation.
The Thompson Foundation helped to start the Pavement, Design, Construction, and Materials Enterprise at Michigan Tech. This unique Enterprise program is one of 26 at Michigan Tech that provides financial support to students and a practical education that combines engineering and business. With assistance from leaders in the asphalt industry, the program requires students to work as teams on projects and present findings to the board in a ‘Shark Tank’-like atmosphere. The process helps students form life-long connections with fellow students and sets them up for future success.
In 2023, a group of graduates worked with the University to start this scholarship fund in Robert and Ellen’s name (Robert and Ellen Thompson Student Fund) to pay their generosity forward. Each scholarship that is given helps a current student achieve their educational goals with the hope that they will help others in the future when they are able to do so.
Scholarships are awarded to third- and fourth-year students who are pursuing a degree within the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering.
