November 29, 2021
A chat with Stephenie Thompson O’Brien ’84
Stephenie Thompson O’Brien ’84 is the new president of the National Alumni Association Council. She majored in finance at PC and now teaches literacy to third, fourth, and fifth grade students in Hingham, Mass., where she resides. She is the mother of three, including Tommy O’Brien ’16 and Ciara O’Brien ’18.
“I have a fun PC legacy background. My dad, Bill Thompson ’59, met my mom, Gail Finn, Salve Regina Class of 1960, in the basement of Harkins Hall at a dance. I even know the date, Nov. 6, 1958. They just celebrated their 60th anniversary in May.
“My brother, Bob Thompson ’85, graduated a year behind me. When my kids were applying to PC there wasn’t enough room on the application to fit all of their relatives who were PC grads.”
How did your perspective about PC change as a parent?
“It made me want to go back to school! I loved my time at PC, but I would have been a better student now with the technology available … except for the Netflix piece, that would have been my downfall. Being able to research/write a paper from anywhere on campus using a laptop is so different from when I was in school.”
If you could return to take one class, what would it be?
“In 2018 I went back to school to earn my master’s degree in elementary education, which I completed in 2020. I would definitely take a higher-level course in special education at PC! I am actually hoping that may happen.”
Where was the best place you lived on campus?
“Keeping in mind that this was 1980, the only ‘new’ dorm was McVinney, so what made a place ‘best’ was the people on the floor, and all three years on campus were fun. Two years in Aquinas (one in a room next to where my dad had lived) and one year in Meagher.”
What events to you most enjoy?
“A favorite for me is hockey games with my dad. I’ve met a lot of alumni who have season tickets in my dad’s section. They have all become friends over the years. I get down to basketball games a few times a year. Halftime is always fun meeting friends for a quick chat.”
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