Dr. Thompson at the Alfred R. Goldstein Library on Ringling College's campus. Provided photo.

How does one measure a legacy? Is it how successful one is in their career? Or is it the impact that they’ve had on the people around them, on their friends, family and colleagues? For Dr. Larry R. Thompson, president of the Ringling College of Art and Design, his legacy lies in his indelible impact on the beloved institution.

On April 17, Dr. Thompson announced that the 2025-26 academic year would be his last at the college. Dr. Thompson’s arrival in 1999 catapulted Ringling College into the 21st century, during which the college would undergo a period of unprecedented growth.

“I first came to Ringling College with my wife and children from Flint, Michigan, in the summer of 1999. At that time, the institution was still named the Ringling School of Art and Design. We had about 800 students then,” said Dr. Thompson in a statement. “In recent years, we have edged closer and closer to our enrollment goal of approximately 2,000 students across a 60-acre growing Main Campus and Museum Campus. We have come to be known as a beacon of creativity within our local community, as well as nationally and internationally.”

With the increase in enrollment came a shift in the curriculum. Today, Ringling College offers 13 different degree programs—increased from six in 1999. Under Dr. Thompson’s leadership, the college expanded into the digital age, now offering degrees in Computer Animation, Game Art, Motion Design, Virtual Reality Development and other more computer-related disciplines. That shift in curriculum is what has allowed Ringling College to grow into the renowned institution that it is today and to continue to not only be a bastion of creativity in Sarasota but a cultural and economic engine for the city as well.

“The decision to announce my upcoming retirement has not been easy for me. Ringling College has been my home and my greatest passion for the past 26 years. Throughout my tenure, I have been privileged to witness and help steward incredible change and evolution at our institution,” said Dr. Thompson. “And now, I find myself overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and encouragement I feel, knowing that the college’s Board, leadership, students, faculty and staff will continue to nurture the college with the same passion we collectively share.”

Dr. Thompson at the Alfred R. Goldstein Library on Ringling College's campus. Provided photo.

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