Thomas Whitson is a high-achieving third-year student at the University of Kansas. As a National Merit Scholar, he is recognized as among the top fraction of a percent of his high school graduating class. As a Rock Chalk Scholar, he is recognized as exemplifying the type of student sought by the University of Kansas. As of the end of the Spring 2009 semester, Thomas has completed the requirements to earn the distinction "With University Honors" upon his graduation.
Thomas took his first college classes at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas, during the summers after his junior and senior years in high school. He began his coursework at the University of Kansas in August 2007 in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and as a participant in the University Honors Program. This fall he will begin his 3P year in KU's nationally-recognized School of Pharmacy. Thomas was well-prepared for the University of Kansas by his high school studies at Midland Adventist Academy, a private Christian day academy that strives to develop "the spiritual, mental, and physical powers of each student; preparing them for the joy of service in this life and for the higher joy of service in the life to come."
Despite a rigorous schedule consisting mainly of honors classes and junior/senior coursework, Thomas has maintained a 4.00 GPA during his six semesters in college. He also maintained a 4.00 GPA throughout high school at Midland Adventist Academy and graduated as Valedictorian of his high school class. Thomas hopes to be inducted into the Alpha Rho chapter of the Rho Chi pharmacy national honor society in the Spring 2010 semester.