Nora Thompson Receives Outstanding Student Award

Nora Thompson, from Matawan, NJ,  is one of eight Brookdale Community College students who were honored with the Outstanding Student Award at the commencement ceremonies on May 13 and 14.

Thompson first visited the Lincroft main campus of Brookdale when she was 16 to take the GED. “It was June and I went for long walks on the campus after I took each part of the test,” said Thompson. “I fell in love with campus. I loved everything about it,” she said.

Thompson has accomplished much since she first walked onto Brookdale’s campus, including completing a NASA Fellowship where she researched Alzheimer’s disease. She graduated with full honors and is a member of the Biology Club as well as the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society.

“Brookdale is a very supportive community of scholars, and I felt very honored and grateful to receive this award,” Thompson, who received the Outstanding Student Award for the STEM Institute, said.

“Nora is a tireless worker who never stops until she understands,” said James Crowder, biology professor at Brookdale. “She is a conscientious young woman and is genuinely curious and interested in her coursework,” he said.

“Going to Brookdale was the best decision I could have made,” said Thompson. “I have loved my experience here, even virtually. There’s a kindness and a passion for learning that is part of the culture here, and I love it.”

Nora plans on continuing her education in the fall and hopes to one day go to graduate school. Her ultimate goal is to contribute to the research of Alzheimer’s disease to help find a cure.