Jean V. Thomas Endowed Scholarship Fund

Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, Jean’s ambition was to become a chemist from the time she and her brother received a chemistry set while in grade school. Being told chemistry was not a field for women proved to be her motivation. She earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin and graduated Magna cum Laude in 1949 with a major in chemistry and minors in mathematics and languages.

In 1953 she co-founded PENTEX INCORPORATED. PENTEX became a producer of specialized biochemical located in Kankakee, Illinois by1956. Jean was vice president and treasurer. She was also the vice present of Midwest PENTEX Sales Company that was founded in Philadelphia in 1956. She later served as marketing director until PENTEX and Midwest PENTEX were sold to Miles Laboratories. In 1995, Jean retired as Worldwide Director of Sales and Marketing for the Diagnostics Division.

The Jean V. Thomas Endowed Scholarship was established is to assist students who demonstrate financial need with first preference given to business majors.