Georgetown Fulbright No. 18, Jill Thompson, Certain to Leave Her and Our Stamp on World
Days before graduation, senior Jill Thompson – who’s waiting to hear where in
Germany she will be teaching in the fall – was still trying to process the
significance of being named a Fulbright Scholar.
“I don’t think students at Georgetown know how big it is,” said the 18th
Georgetown student to be awarded a Fulbright since 1990. “I’m not sure I do yet
– and yet I am awed by the honor.”
Provost Rosemary Allen, who “coached” many of Georgetown’s successful
candidates while chair of the English department, certainly knows that the word
“Fulbright” turns heads both on campus and nationally. Last year, when
Georgetown was honored with Fulbrights 15 through 17, Dr. Allen said, “As
students witness what recent graduates have done, they are prepared to give it a
try themselves. And, the success of these three is testimony to the ambition,
determination and quality of our student body.”
Thompson, a Psychology and Political Science double major from Catlettsburg, KY,
acknowledged that having so many recent graduates preceding her – and knowing
two current Fulbrights well – really helped. “They made me want to apply.”
Jill – a German minor – sees Brittany Pappas ’07, who is teaching in Germany now, as a “liaison” between the two cultures. Jill, who has worked as a child care/youth counselor with the Scott County YMCA, looks forward to celebrating the two cultures with her German children and “learning together,” she said. Pappas has given Jill Thompson this advice: Really take advantage of what’s in Germany and maybe develop a hobby while there to help enjoy the culture.
Sarah Sebastian ’07, who is winding up her Fulbright year in Hong Kong,
advised her Sigma Kappa sorority sister (via Facebook) to go to places she
wouldn’t otherwise visit. “Sarah also now realizes she doesn’t want to be a
teacher,” said Jill, who is wrestling with that Life After Georgetown issue
herself.
Jill, who had a life-changing internship fall semester with the Commonwealth’s
Attorney Office in Lexington, is leaning toward graduate school in Criminal
Justice after her Fulbright year. Noting that Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Larson
is “big on immigration issues,” she was inspired to write a paper recently on
Immigration Policy in the Netherlands and Austria.
Larson was not a bit surprised to hear that Jill – “one of the most impressive interns we’ve ever had” – was selected for a Fulbright. “She is very serious about being a ‘player’ in life. She knows what she wants to do,” he said.
And, why not Criminal Justice? “Jill has a lot of the characteristics of the
best people in our office,” he continued. “She’s an outstanding preparer, gives
great attention to detail and she’s fearless.”
No telling how a year teaching children in Germany will impact what Jill
Thompson does next. Since she has been able to juggle academics and internships
with volunteer activities, most likely she will figure out a way to serve youth
in the future.
“She is truly passionate about helping the children at the YMCA,” said sorority sister Lindsey Bostick, her roommate of four years.”She has made time into her schedule to work with these children because it is important to her.”
Bostick, Sigma Kappa president for ’07, has seen her in many philanthropic situation over their Georgetown careers – visiting local nursing homes, cleaning an “adopted” highway in Georgetown, raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association through community bake sales. “Jill has been one of the first ones willing to devote her time and energies to these causes,” she said.
Bostick has a sorority recruitment story that shows how special Jill Thompson is:
“Last year, we had just added a new pledge class to our sorority and needed some older girls to step up and be Big Sisters for the second time. Taking a second Little Sister meant devoting time, money, and energies to this freshman and guiding her through the first year of college. After this was announced, no one volunteered. After a few seconds, Jill stuck her hand up and said ‘I'll do it!.’ This is typical Jill – always willing to take on extra things to help others."