The Northwest Credit Union Association said Tuesday a new scholarship program for credit union professionals has been established in memory of Kathy Thomson, former president/CEO of the Idaho Credit Union League, who passed away in January.

Thomson retired in early 2017 after helping guide ICUL's management agreement with the Northwest Credit Union Association.

In her memory, a group of generous sponsors established Legacy of Life & Learning Scholarships for Idaho credit union professionals. The sponsors include the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, CUNA Mutual Group, Idaho Credit Union League, Montana's Credit Unions, National Credit Union Foundation, Northwest Credit Union Association, Northwest Credit Union Foundation and Western CUNA Management School.

Two full scholarships will be available for professional development programs, such as the Western CUNA Management School, DE certification, Emerging Leaders Program, NWCUA Council Power User Membership and Leveraging the CU Difference Workshop.

“I hope that these scholarships will ignite the same passion she felt and that these scholarships will be a stepping stone for the credit union employees, managers and league presidents of the future,” Lynn Thomson, Kathy Thomson's husband, said.

For more than four decades, Thomson dedicated her career to ICUL, starting as a supply clerk in 1973 and learning virtually every facet of the credit union leadership movement before becoming president/CEO of the Idaho league in 2014.

During her 43 years of service, she earned designations such as Credit Union Development Educator and Certified League Executive, and served as a director on the board for the Credit Union House in Washington.

“While no words will ever fully describe Kathy's impact on the credit union movement, the Legacy of Life & Learning scholarships memorialize her leadership in a manner celebrating her greatest passion – the development of future industry leaders,” NWCUA President/CEO Troy Stang said. “With the contributions of these generous donors, Idaho credit union employees can benefit and further commit their lives and careers to the credit union movement.”