When you think about Ringling College of Art and Design, you might think about its president, Dr. Larry R. Thompson, as the two have basically become synonymous, especially in the surrounding artful community of Sarasota, Florida. Dr. Thompson has achieved so much during his 26-year tenure and is responsible for shaping the institution into what it is today—a world-renowned art college on the brink of becoming the preeminent college for art and design in the world. This is a vision Thompson has believed into existence since his first year at the helm.
Thompson announced today that the 2025-2026 academic year will be his last year as president, ending his tenure in May of 2026. Serving as the institution’s sixth president, Thompson has brought the College through an incredible period of growth and change. “When I arrived in 1999, I was so impressed with the students and the faculty and the passion they shared for art and design. I became committed to the vision of setting students on a path that would be not only incredibly fulfilling but financially rewarding as well. I set out to ‘shatter the myth of the starving artist.’”
The changes that emanated from that initial impulse are immense. Under Thompson’s leadership, the College has constructed 14 new buildings on the 48-acre Main Campus, grown enrollment from 800 students to a record high of 1,722, and increased the academic offerings from the six original majors provided in 1999 to the 13 unique degree programs offered today. He embraced the idea when he started that the computer would likely become the next paintbrush. And that’s what happened. As a result, the art college became world-renowned for its technological prowess in addition to its reputation for providing exceptional art and design education. The vibrant campus is home to nearly 500 full-time faculty and staff, providing a major economic and cultural engine for the city of Sarasota.
Thompson’s engagement with the wider community has been extensive. In 2003, he engaged with local donors who were passionate about contemporary art, leading to a massive renovation and repurposing of the iconic Sarasota High School, designed by M. Leo Elliott, and the adjacent mid-century Paul Rudolph structure to create a Museum Campus. This campus now houses the Sarasota Art Museum (the region’s only contemporary art museum) and Ringling College’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). The Museum Campus provides world-class exhibitions and community programming to almost 75,000 visitors each year.
He has also served on the boards of numerous organizations, including as Chair of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, President of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, Chairman of Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, and more. Thompson is the recipient of numerous academic and humanitarian honors and awards for his service as a visionary leader and educator.
Thompson often gives credit for the success of the College to the community and in particular, the Ringling College Board of Trustees. “I truly believe I have the best Board anywhere,” Thompson explains; one he has carefully cultivated to include dedicated and passionate advocates for the College.
The feeling is mutual. Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Joel Morganroth confirms, “Dr. Thompson’s legacy at Ringling College is indelible. His vision to create a successful education-to-career pipeline has led to Ringling students being an employer’s first choice in the industry. And his ability to connect with people and share his passion for the College is unparalleled.”
Thompson sees no reason to stop pushing forward. “We launched an ambitious, comprehensive capital campaign in November 2023 with a goal of $175 million. As of the end of March, the College has raised 89% of that goal. Thompson noted, “I’m committed to seeing the College get to the finish line in my last year. We’ve seen such incredible support from the community, not just for this campaign, but throughout the time I’ve served as president. For example, our endowment has increased from under $4 million in 1999 to $73 million at the end of our last fiscal year, but there is still work to be done.”
Thompson credits Ringling’s creative community for his energy and resiliency in an era where the average college presidency is 5.7 years. “The creative community of faculty, staff, and students works collaboratively to tackle whatever challenges present themselves. They are active participants in reimagining the future on a daily basis. We’ve worked together to refine our mission, declare our vision to be the preeminent college of art and design in the world, and develop a new strategic plan to get us there. I am so grateful to all of our students, faculty, and staff for the contributions they make to the College’s success every day.”
Thompson thanked his wife and his family for being true partners on his journey. “I also thank my wife, Pat, who has supported me and the institution in so many ways. Pat even followed her own passion for fine art and added a BFA degree from Ringling College to her business degree from The Ohio State University, becoming a Ringling College alumna during my tenure. My son, Hunter, is also a proud alumnus of the College, having graduated in 2014.”
The Ringling College community sincerely thanks Dr. Thompson for his leadership and service these past 26 years. The College will begin a nationwide search for a new president with Board Chair Dr. Joel Morganroth serving as chair of the Search Committee. A national search firm with expertise in higher education presidential searches will guide the process.
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