Born October 1875 in Reading, Pennsylvania, Charles Yoder Thompson moved with his family to West Point, Nebraska in 1876. Thompson graduated from West Point High School in 1893. He attended the University of Nebraska and received a bachelor of laws degree.
In 1899, as one of eleven students in the class, Thompson took a short course in farming given through the College of Agriculture. Although he had never lived on a farm he decided to work land his father owned, 320 acres near West Point. Thompson applied his agricultural education using innovations such as implementing crop rotation, planting alfalfa to balance feed rations, and bringing the first riding cultivator to the West Point area.
Thompson served for twenty-four years on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, from 1935-1959. He completed four terms as board president. As a member of the board his goals included a balanced representation of various groups and professions within Nebraska and he held in high regard the interests of students on campus.
In 1959, the University conferred an honorary Doctor of Agriculture degree on Thompson. His extensive contributions and long career made him an outstanding leader in agriculture and higher education. In both areas, he sought opportunities to make Nebraska a better place to live. In 1966, the University again honored Thompson by naming the new library on East Campus after him, C.Y.Thompson Library.
Charles Yoder Thompson died on June 1, 1970, at the age of 94.
Source Information:
C. Y. Thompson Library website. University Archives.
