News Article

New scholarship honors beloved CCPS teacher

Published on August 2, 2022

Two students standing between shelves of books.


NORTH EAST, Md.: In the wake of the passing of a popular Cecil County Public School teacher and adjunct instructor at Cecil College, family and friends have created an endowed scholarship fund in remembrance of Ronald (Ron) Maurice Thompson.

The endowed Ronald Thompson Scholarship is designated to help students fulfill their dream of completing their associate degree in any of the Behavioral and Social Sciences programs at Cecil College. These degree programs include Addictions and Chemical Dependency, Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies, Psychology, Social Work, and Teacher Education.

Thompson was born in York, Pa., on January 26, 1945, and passed away on April 27, 2022.

He taught in the behavioral and social sciences at Cecil College and Rising Sun High School for more than four decades. He was a lifetime resident of Cecil County and was a graduate of Rising Sun High School, The University of Maryland at College Park, and Washington College.

Thompson was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Suzanne Wesley Thompson, and survived by sons, Chad Thompson, Brad Thompson, and Brian Thompson.

“The Ronald Thompson Behavioral and Social Sciences scholarship is geared toward students in the truest financial need accompanied by a positive drive and potential for success. Students can be nominated for this scholarship by a professor or college staff member who sees the genuine student needs, abilities, and prospects,” said Chad Thompson. “My father was a father figure not only to my brothers and me but to generations of students he taught.”

In addition to teaching, Thompson owned Town and Country Pools, a side business where he and several fellow teachers worked during the summer months installing Fox Pools during the 1970s and 1980s. Additionally, he maintained a small counseling practice from his home, where he counseled countless community members for over four decades. In addition to his service in public education and mental health, Thompson served his community as a member of the Lions Club and Janes United Methodist Church.

If interested in donating to this scholarship and supporting a student through a tax-deductible gift, please visit cecil.edu/foundation/how-to-donate or contact the Cecil College Foundation at foundation@nullcecil.edu. To apply for this and other Cecil College Foundation scholarships, visit cecil.edu/scholarships. The scholarship application opens October 1.