Background
Thompson, Willard Linn was born on November 14, 1914 in LaSalle, Illinois, United States. Son of William Sherman and Millie (Schinz) Thompson.
Thompson, Willard Linn was born on November 14, 1914 in LaSalle, Illinois, United States. Son of William Sherman and Millie (Schinz) Thompson.
Associate of Arts, LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College, 1934. Bachelor of Science, University Illinois, 1937. Master of Science, University Illinois, 1949.
Doctor of Philosophy, University Illinois, 1958.
Reporter, Peoria (Illinois) Journal-Transcript, 1937-1939;
with advertising department, Pekin (Illinois) Daily Times, 1939-1941;
managing editor, Pekin (Illinois) Daily Times, 1946-1947;
president, Effingham (Illinois) Broadcasting Company
general manager Station, WCRA, 1947-1948;
assistant professor, U. Oklahoma, 1949-1951;
assistant professor, associate professor, U. Oregon, 1952-1960;
director public services and development, U. Oregon, 1956-1960;
professor, assistant to president, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1960-1963;
dean general extension division and summer session, University of Minnesota, 1963-1971;
director summer session, professor journalism, University of Minnesota, 1971-1984;
professor emeritus, University of Minnesota, since 1984. Cons., examiner Commision on Institutions Higher Education, North Central Association Colleges Secondary Schools, 1962-1984. Member Upper Midwest Research and Development Council, 1963-1975, St. Paul-Minneapolis Committee on Foreign Relations, 1960-1974.
Member of Executive Committee Office for Advanced Drama Research, 1963-1979.
Served to captain Army of the United States, 1941-1945. Member Association Education in Journalism, American Academy Advertising (president 1980-1981), Public Relations Society of America, Minnesota History Society, American Association of University Professors, Association University Summer Sessions (president 1973), North Central Conference Summer Schools (president 1975), Alpha Delta Sigma.
Married Mabel Louise Lohnes, September 22, 1942. Children: Julia Linn Thompson Erickson, Susan Louise.