godfather to [Vassar] college." In 1887, Thompson donated $20,000 toward Vassar College's goal of a $200,000 endowment. When Vassar's new gymnasium opened in 1894, it had marble-lined, heated swimming pool, provided by Thompson. At the time, this was the largest swimming pool at any college gym in the country. He also donated $200,000 for a new library addition which was designed by Francis R. Allen. Opened in 1893, this three-story brick building featured Warsaw stone trim and a Tennessee marble staircase. Officially named the Frederick Ferris Thompson Annex Library, was also called "Uncle Fred's Nose." He was affectionally known as "Uncle Fred" to the Vassar students, not just for these large gifts, but for making gifts that added to the students' comforts and learning experiences. In 1890, he donated $1,500 to set up an emergency fund to provide short-term, interest-free loans for Vassar students. He donated funds for the annual senior picnic each June. He provided a rocking chair for each girl's room, along with nice furnishing for the college's infirmary. He also sponsored the annual outing to Lake Mohonk for Vassar's freshmen and seniors—about 300 students in total—providing transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals. The freshmen from the class of 1902 sent him a thank you telegram saying: "Frederick F. Thompson, New York: Mohonk is grand and so are you: Accept the thanks of nineteen-two." He also gave each graduating student a silver spoon "as a symbol of his hope that she will be fortunate in the world." Thompson served on the board of Williams College, Vassar College, Teachers College Columbia University, the New York Dispensary, the Ontario Orphan Asylum, and the Women's Hospital. He also served on the central council of the Charity Organization Society of the City of New York. The society distributed more than $22 million in 1887. In June 1898 when Clara Barton sent an appeal to the newspaper to help the American National Red Cross' hospital ships serving the Americas in the Spanish-American War, Thompson was one the nine to become an immediate donor, giving $500. Honors Thompson received an honorary M.A. from Williams College in 1883. In 1893, the junior class at Williams College voted to hold its annual dinner in honor of Thompson. Williams College named Thompson Laboratories in his honor. In 1893, Vassar College named the library addition to its main building the Frederick Ferris Thompson Annex Library. When word of his