Empowering through Education: Ms. LouAnn Tompkins’s Philanthropic Journey
By: Allison Tate, University of Michigan International Institute
She wanted to provide not only education but also international opportunities, because she believes students must understand that they are “a small piece in the world economy, the world environment, and in the world culture.”
Ms. Lou Tompkins’s passion for education began long before her philanthropic endeavors—on the floor of the Michigan House of Representatives. In high school, Ms. Tompkins became President of the Future Teachers Association for the State of Michigan; she traveled to Lansing and Washington, D.C., to advocate for education policy.
As the eldest of seven children and the first woman in her family to graduate high school and go on to college, Ms. Tompkins’s ambition took her far despite a lack of parental support. She earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Charleston Southern University, a Master’s in Finance from Michigan State University, and a J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy.
Before enrolling at Charleston Southern, Ms. Tompkins worked as a bill collector—and after the company denied her a transfer to its local branch because of her gender, she pursued and won a discrimination claim. Later, while earning her Master’s degree, she joined the carmaker Chrysler as the plant’s first female budget manager, and climbed the ranks to become a finance executive.
While traveling through Europe, Ms. Tompkins and her husband adopted two children with special needs from Russia. When Ms. Tompkins realized her local school district would not adequately support her children she pursued a law degree to help other special-needs parents secure services. She later opened the Law Offices of L.A. Tompkins and Advocates for Educational Rights, where she practiced juvenile, family, and probate law.
Ms. Tompkins considers herself very fortunate to have built wealth through her education and, given the role education has played in her story, wanted to give back by supporting educational activities. She previously pursued philanthropy at Michigan State University and privately for children in the foster care system, but she was drawn to the University of Michigan’s International Institute because of its matched-grant system and the chance to double her impact.
As a first-generation student herself, Ms. Tompkins appreciated the International Institute’s emphasis on supporting first-generation students. She wanted to provide not only education but also international opportunities, because she believes students must understand that they are “a small piece in the world economy, the world environment, and in the world culture.”
Here, the Tompkins Travel Abroad Fellowship was born—supporting University of Michigan International Studies students who are first-generation college students and/or traveling abroad for the first time, whether for study abroad, an international internship, or an international research position. The Program in International and Comparative Studies (PICS) administers the award, funded by Ms. Tompkins, which requires a brief application and is awarded based on merit and financial need.
As we become more and more of a global society, you have to have tolerance and understanding of the fact that different people have different values and live differently ... that’s important not only in the area of law and politics, but in the area of coexistence.
During her interview with the International Institute regarding the Tompkins Travel Abroad Fellowship, she said, “I think that it’s very important for American students to have an understanding that the United States is not the center of the universe … as we become more and more of a global society, you have to have tolerance and understanding of the fact that different people have different values and live differently ... that’s important not only in the area of law and politics, but in the area of coexistence.”
When asked for advice for younger students hoping to make a similar impact, Ms. Tompkins said she wished she’d sought out more mentorship, and that it is not a bad thing to ask for help. She also shared, “I was so intent on accomplishing and achieving that sometimes I let the relationships fall to the wayside. I wish I’d done a better job there.” To her, “having balance” is a myth; she encourages students to embrace life’s give-and-take and let their current priorities shape their journeys. For Ms. Tompkins, education has always been, and remains, the driving force behind her philanthropy.
The International Institute is grateful to philanthropic donors like Ms. Lou Tompkins for making it possible for students to further their education and international opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a donor, please get in touch with Elise Huerta at huertaeg@umich.edu or make a donation here.
