Patricia Powers Thomson

The Butler Senior High School Class of 2023 announced Patricia Powers Thomson, a member of the Class of 1983, as the winner of the 43rd annual Butler Senior High School Distinguished Graduate award.

Thomson is a public servant and veteran who served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Corps. She received the National Defense Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.

She played a significant role in post-9/11 homeland security efforts by working with the Department of Homeland Security, the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and the U.S. citizenship process.

Thomson also served in South Sudan, one of the world’s least developed countries. There, she founded and served as the first dean at the School of Public Service at the University of Juba.

She is founder and first dean of the School of Public Service, University of Juba, and founder and first director of the Leadership Crucible, where she worked to develop young women leaders.

As the senior governance advisor for the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Diyala, Iraq, Thomson received the Expeditionary Service Award from the U.S. Secretary of State.

She served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which promotes conflict prevention, peacemaking and post-conflict peace building in numerous countries.

Thomson was a member of the team that developed the Corporation for National and Community Service.

She also served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross, a tutor of at-risk students and as a planning and evaluation advisor for more than 200 community organizations.