Frazier Leon Thompson Sr., (192?-1991), originally from Philadelphia was the first African-American student to enroll at and graduate from the University of Notre Dame. Thompson began attending Notre Dame in 1944 as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program and graduated in the class of 1947. He was also the first African-American student to compete in Notre Dame athletics and to win a Notre Dame monogram.[1][2] Thompson went on to work with the United States Postal Service and as an engineer testing space suit design at NASA[3][4]

Frazier Leon Thompson
Born
Died1991
Dover, DE
NationalityAmerican
OccupationEngineer
Years active1944-1990
Known forFirst African-American graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Scholarship in his honor at the university.

In 1997, the university created the Frazier Thompson scholarship in his honor. The scholarship was first awarded in 1998.[3][5]

References

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  1. ^ "Sprint Star Blazes Trail at Notre Dame". Baltimore Afro-American. March 23, 1946. p. 31. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  2. ^ "Notre Dame to Honor Black Athletes". Leader Publications. August 29, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Pete LaFleur. "Irish Trailblazers". Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  4. ^ Margaret Fosmoe (February 26, 2009). "1947 saw first black Notre Dame grads". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  5. ^ "Notre Dame Honor". Jet. July 21, 1997.