In a virtual assembly this Friday, Jacquelyn “Jackie” H. Thomas will be the recipient of Phillips Exeter Academy’s Founders’ Day Award.
“Recognized by the General Alumni Association annually since 1976, the Founders’ Day Award is given to those who have demonstrated exceptional service to the Academy. During her 35 years as Academy Librarian, Thomas was an advocate for the inclusion of female faculty and staff. She served on numerous committees and as a day student adviser and tennis coach. Thomas was the 1989 recipient of the Rupert Radford ’15 Faculty Fellowship and in 1990 was named the James H. Ottaway Jr. ’55 Professor.”
- Jackie Thomas joined the Academy Library as a part-time assistant in May 1971. In 1975, Thomas assumed duties of Academy Librarian and served in that position for 35 years, retiring in 2010. (“Head Librarian Says Goodbye After 39 Years”, Exonian, June 2010.)
- Thomas created the Library Proctor Program in 1981. Author Dan Brown ’82 was one of the 12 day students Thomas selected to patrol the upper floors. (“New Proctors Keep Noisy Students Quiet in Library”, Exonian, October 1981).
- With the help of Corliss Lamont, Class of 1920, Thomas established the Lamont Poetry Program in 1982. Since the program’s founding, 81 award-winning poets have visited PEA as part of this program. (“A History of the Lamont Poet Series”, Exonian, May 1999).
- During Thomas’ tenure, she oversaw many milestones and celebrations of the library building designed by world renowned architect Louis Kahn.
- 1996 – The Library was named The Class of 1945 Library, honoring Principal Dr. Lewis Perry.
- 1997 – The American Institute of Architects conferred the 25-Year Award to the Kahn designed building.
- 2005 – The Class of 1945 Library was one of the 12 buildings featured on a set of commemorative US Postal stamps, entitled “Masterwork of Modern American Architecture.”
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