WT Band Alumni Spotlight: Marvella Thompson
What years were you in the WT Band? When did you graduate?
1964-66
What was your degree in?
Music Education
Where are you living now and what are you doing?
Bryan, Texas
Piano teacher
Choir Accompanist
Choir member
Children's Music teacher at church
ESL teacher for Internationals
Tell us about your family.
Our older son holds a PhD in Computational Physics from Texas A&M, lives in Los Alamos, NM and works at the Government Nuclear Labs. Married, two daughters
Our second son holds Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and worlds for Texas A&M in IT. Single, never been married
Our daughter is adopted and special needs. She lives in a group home in College Station, has a job and is quite independent
Our older granddaughter is fluent in Japanese and works at Kubota in Osaka, Japan
Our younger granddaughter is working on a PhD in anthropology at the University of Arizona
What instrument did you play?
Alto Sax
What ensembles and student groups were you involved in while you were at WT?
Tau Beta Sigma
Tell us a favorite band memory that you have from your time at WT.
Working as Dr. Garner's secretarial assistant
Playing in the Symphonic Band
Spending time with others
Share with us what you miss most about your time at WT.
Fellowship and Friendship
Do you have a favorite memory or highlight that has happened for you since graduation?
Graduation brought many joyful opportunities for service and ministry. Glen and I taught school for the Government of Guam 1967-69.
After a few years of teaching in Texas, we were appointed at International Missionaries to the Philippines, where we pent 25 years. From the Philippines we moved to the island of Cyprus where we lived and worked in and out of Iran arranging exchange students. 9/11 took us from the Mediterranean to South Asia where we were itinerant Bible teachers throughout South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar). We retired to Texas in 2012, but went back to Asia for several short term assignments, the final one being doing Disaster Relief in the Central Philippines.
What did you learn from your time at WT?
The importance of living a life of Integrity and honesty, enjoying music and the joy that comes with participating in music activities and teaching.
What are some of your favorite musical memories?
Spending time at the Fine Arts Building, sharing time and experiences with classmates.
Why did you come to WT?
Both my parents graduated from WT and It was close to home -
When my mother was small, her dad was a roofer. He was working on the admin building's roof when the tar bucket turned over and caught the roof on fire.
What was your favorite band trip and why did you like it so much?
Going on tour with Dr. Garner. It was exciting for a country girl to travel outside the Panhandle.
What else would you like for us to know? (Career or family highlights, awesome memories, people who inspired you at WT etc.)
Dr. Green was also instrumental in helping me get my degree. Glen and I married before I finished my degree. We went to Guam right after we married, where I picked up some hours at the University of Guam. Returning to Texas Glen was band director at Floydada, where I picked up a few more hours. Only after we moved to Snyder was I able to move back to Canyon, baby son in tow, no car, and take my last semester at WT, finally have my senior recital. After my recital, I was taking the very final music class, but at Hardin-Simmons. Dr. Green kept in close contact with H-SU, and I actually walked across the stage receiving my Bachelor's degree before I took my final exam at H-SU. Without Dr. Green, that wouldn't have been possible. I owe great gratitude also to Dr. Eason, who was my piano professor, and helped me finish strong.