Leonce “Hank” Thierry, Jr. was born in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and raised in SW Oklahoma. He graduated from Lawton Oklahoma’s MacArthur High School in 1982. He was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha through the Zeta Zeta Chapter at the University of Oklahoma in the spring of 1983. In 1990, he transplanted to Galveston, Texas to complete his education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1993, followed by a Master of Science in Health Education and Promotion in 2001, both from the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Hank has worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences since 2001. His clinical expertise is in the area of Hematopathology and Coagulation. At UTMB, Hank wears many administrative hats, to include President of the UTMB School of Health Professions’ Alumni Association.

Hank has served as Chapter President of the Gamma Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity since September 1, 2011. He served as Chair of the Galveston Historical Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee as well as a Board Member of the Galveston Historical Foundation. He served as Chair of the City of Galveston’s Intermodal Transportation Committee and currently serves on the City of Galveston’s Family, Children and Youth Board.

Hank attends Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he serves as a Parish Lector. He also serves his Faith as a member of the Knights of Peter Claver, Holy Rosary, Council #20, here in Galveston.