By Jeff Oliver
jeff@newsroom.byu.edu
The walls of the small office found in room 38 of the Knight Magnum Building are covered in memories.
Black and white photographs of feathered Native Americans performing traditional dances compete for space with fading engagement pictures and signed momentos from long-retired celebrities.
Opposite the door, a large calendar acts as wallpaper. Written in bold letters across the top is the date: nineteen-ninety-eight.
'I don't really need to keep track of that anymore,' said Janie Thompson, faculty advisor, owner and one-time decorator of the office.
Thompson's piano stands under the office's only window. It's where she has been practicing what she called her 'acceptance speech.'
The speech is actually a song Thompson will sing to the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce Women's Division this Friday, Aug. 8, when they present her with the 'Woman Making a Difference' award at the Provo Marriot Hotel.
On Thompson's windowsill is Tony Bennett's autobiography, protected in a Zip-lock bag, on a stack of papers.
On page 76 of his book, Bennett wrote, 'Janie Thompson was the army's answer to Betty Hutton ... Loaded with energy and excitement.'
Later, Bennett identified Thompson as 'devout Mormon' and a 'graduate of Brigham Young University of Provo, Utah.'
Following her graduation in 1943, Thompson left BYU to join the Civilian Actress Technician Service and later the 314th Special Service Band.
Thompson traveled Europe with the band, cheering American troops while singing duets with the likes of Tony Bennett and Micky Rooney.
Thompson and Bennett broadcast weekly from the Wiesbaden Opera House in Gemany.
However, that is not the achievement Thompson is most proud of, nor the one for which she is receiving recognition.
In 1953, at the request of W. Cleon Skousen, then director of public relations for BYU, Thompson returned to BYU to form the BYU Program Bureau.
Thompson said the world was first discovering BYU at the time and was beginning to request programs from the talented student body.
'We had no budget, so I told the kids they had to look good in a gunnysack,' Thompson said.
The Bureau has since been converted into the music, dance, theater department. However, a few of Thompson's original programs remain, such as The Young Ambassadors and The Lamanite Generation (Now called Living Traditions).
'Janie has dedicated her life to the development of young talent,' said Jody Renstrom, chair of the chamber's woman division.
Though no longer 'young,' that talent continues to testify of Thompson's ability as a teacher.
Among her students were members of The Letterman Trio, a band Billboard Magazine called 'the most romantic vocal group of all time.'
The Trio produced 46 albums, of which nine went gold, with 20 hit singles.
Other students included two young women who formed the duo Sandy and Sally, stars of the Lawrence Welk TV show for many years. The duet can still be seen on channel 11 on the Welk re-runs.
Karl and Gerri Engemann also benefited under Thompson's direction.
After a successful career with the Engemann Trio, Karl went on to become Vice-President of Capitol Records and manager of Marie Osmond.
In 1971 Provo City proclaimed a Janie Thompson Day in her honor. Also, in 1992 she was named Citizen of the Year for Provo.
In addition to her musical endeavors Thompson served on the Young Women's General Board for 16 years.
Friday's award ceremony will be held in the Provo Marriott, those interested in attending should contact Jody Renstrom at 224-5310 or June Christensen at 224-5699.