Larry and Brenda Thompson, shown on their porch Sunday on Hurst Avenue, were co-chairs of Boundless, A Campaign for Chautauqua.
PATRICIA BEAGLE
Staff Writer
Brenda and Larry Thompson first experienced Chautauqua in 2004 when Larry gave an Amphitheater lecture about corporate fraud. He was impressed by Chautauquans’ thoughtful, intelligent questions. The couple soon returned and eventually bought a home on Hurst Avenue. They are also at home in Sea Island, Georgia, and Atlanta.
From simple beginnings, the Thompsons achieved distinguished careers. Brenda was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, and Larry came from Hannibal, Missouri. Both grew up in schools subject to mandatory segregation, and the two never lost their thirst for learning.
Brenda earned a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Central University, a Master of Arts from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. from St. Louis University. A licensed clinical psychologist, she taught at Morehouse College for two years.
“It was a wonderful experience,” she said. “I was one of the first African Americans to be licensed in the state of Georgia. To teach at Morehouse was an honor, but I really wanted to work with young people.”
She practiced for 20 years as a school psychologist and 15 years in a public program, caring for developmentally disabled and emotionally disturbed children with learning issues, she said. Brenda was also a community activist, advocating for schools and proper roads.
Larry obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, a Master of Arts from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. While practicing law with a future Supreme Court Justice, Larry received sage advice. Clarence Thomas recommended that Larry move to the growing city of Atlanta. He did so and thrived there. Ronald Reagan appointed him U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. President George W. Bush later appointed “L.T.” — as President Bush called him — deputy attorney general, the second-highest position in the Justice Department. Known for his ethics, Larry led the department’s Corporate Fraud Task Force in the era of ruinous Enron and Adelphia corporate scandals.
Larry served for years as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for PepsiCo. The Department of Justice selected him to serve as independent corporate monitor for Volkswagen AG in the wake of the high-profile VW emissions scandal. His distinguished career included teaching at the University of Georgia School of Law. Currently, he is of counsel to Finch McCranie, LLP and serves as executive in residence at Coastal College of Georgia.
The Thompsons’ two sons both practice law. Larry is a patent attorney in Houston. Gary serves as in-house counsel for a corporate startup in Washington, D.C.
A sought-after presenter, Larry took the podium for Chautauqua’s Chabad Jewish House regarding his advocacy on behalf of Rabbi Sholom Rubashkin. A Presbyterian, Larry attributes the favorable outcome of that advocacy to divine intervention. He has spoken for the Chautauqua Women’s Club and has delivered various graduation addresses. Larry also gave a talk for Advocates for Balance at Chautauqua about his autobiography, Quiet Counsel. He has enjoyed giving book talks in many cities.
The Thompsons have long had a special love of the visual arts. Brenda recalled that as a young couple, she and Larry would visit the Atlanta University Art Annuals and dream about being able to afford such art. Larry recalled admiring the art collection in one of his professors’ homes. The two have been particularly captivated by stories told through the work of African American artists.
Eventually, the Thompsons moved from decorating with posters to buying their first real art, a work by Freddie Styles. They have since become well-informed collectors of African American art, cultivating relationships with art dealers from coast to coast. Brenda has served on the Barnes Foundation Board of Trustees, the Georgia Museum of Art Board of Advisors, the Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries board and the University of Georgia Foundation Board of Trustees.
Brenda explained that their collection encompasses nearly 1,000 pieces of art. The Thompsons have generously displayed treasures in exhibitions at the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland and the Georgia Museum of Art. Many of their pieces have been on tour, educating others about African American art. Last year, the National Gallery of Art hosted a major exhibition of the Thompsons’ art, and it was viewed by more than
90,000 visitors.
Brenda and Larry have participated in art panels and gallery dialogues and have donated hundreds of works to museums. The Thompsons made a gift to the National Gallery of more than 150 pieces of African American art. Their support has provided life-changing recognition and representation to African American artists.
“We’ve gotten to know as many artists as we could, and we know the struggles they have gone through,” Brenda said. “I personally was proud that some of these artists finally would be seen in a major museum. We intentionally went after artists we felt were worthy of being included,” she added.
Judy Barie, Susan and John Turben director of Chautauqua Visual Arts Galleries, beamed at the mere mention of the Thompsons. “I am honored to know and be friends with the Thompsons. You can see their passion for art in their home,” she said. “They have been very generous with their resources. The Thompsons sponsor an exhibition for us every year. Sponsors enable us to bring artists here to meet people who might acquire their art.”
The Thompsons sponsored this year’s “Cutwork” exhibition at Strohl Art Center. Barie added that the Thompsons have also supported CVA artists by purchasing their work. “I recall that they bought from us a nude sculptural piece by Esther Shimazu,” she said. “They have very good taste!”
Larry remarked, “I want to stay engaged not only with fine art, but with other things.” He serves as a trustee for Chautauqua Institution. “During ten years on the board, I have had the opportunity to interact a lot with members of the community,” he shared. The Thompsons also appreciate Chautauqua’s African American Heritage House, and Brenda has provided support as a board member of the organization.
The couple recently served as co-chairs of the multi-year Boundless, A Campaign for Chautauqua, the largest fundraising effort in the history of Chautauqua Institution. According to Amit Taneja, interim chief Advancement officer and senior director for Community and Belonging, the pivotal campaign exceeded its $150 million goal, raising $166.1 million. Taneja remarked, “Through their leadership, generosity and hospitality, Brenda and Larry brought people together around a shared vision for Chautauqua’s future. They opened their home and hearts to convene Chautauquans in meaningful conversations about the future of the Institution and how the Boundless Campaign contributed to our long-term resilience.”
Tim Renjilian, chair of the Chautauqua Foundation, commended the Thompsons’ leadership. “For someone as busy and in demand as Larry to get involved sends a message that we should all get involved. Brenda is a substantial player in the art world and is a real doer. The Thompsons brought respect, knowledge and recognition in several worlds,” Renjilian said. He praised the Thompsons’ direct involvement with the campaign cabinet and personal delivery of updates that motivated the team. He added, “They are examples of people who can come, fall in love with this place and make a difference. Not only are the Thompsons connectors who bring different people together and introduce new people to Chautauqua, but they are absolutely lovely, friendly and down-to-earth people.”
“The community’s support of Boundless was a vote of confidence in the Institution,” Brenda said. “We were honored to be co-chairs and work with the campaign cabinet. The campaign was run by Advancement. We were ambassadors,” she said.
“It was a terrific way to support the Institution,” Larry remarked. Brenda added, “We have opened our porch and supported visual artists. We have offered hospitality to opera students. We live in Sea Island, and we have had our friends come here. It’s been made easy by the level of love of the people here.”
Kyle Keogh, interim chief executive officer, expressed profound gratitude for the long-term benefits of the Boundless Campaign. Recalling the service of the Thompsons, he remarked, “They did not simply ask others to support Boundless. They demonstrated personally and consistently why Chautauqua was worthy of that support. The impact of their work will be felt by generations of Chautauquans to come!”
The Thompsons live lives of grace, fullness, humility and generosity. Brenda expressed admiration for people who use walkers who attend lectures to keep learning. “What pulls me in is the stimulation of the lectures,” she said. “I can’t wait to discuss them.” Larry spoke about the joy that Chautauqua brings. “It has everything we are interested in for intellectual stimulation.”
Through their leadership and philanthropy, Brenda and Larry have practiced the art of strengthening Chautauqua for future generations and elevating the work of African American artists. Their stewardship is reflected in the words inscribed over the stage in Norton Hall: “All Passes Art Alone Endures.”
