After joining the BYU faculty, Thomas convinced Ernest L. Wilkinson and other administrators to form the honors program.
Thomas ended his term as head of BYU's honors program in 1967 when he became academic vice president.
Among students who Thomas had a significant influence on while at BYU were John W. Welch, Allen E. Bergin, and Madison U. Sowell.
A collection of Thomas' speeches, edited by Daryl R. Hague, was scheduled to be published by BYU Studies in 2011.
BYU also has a Robert K. Thomas professorship in the J. Reuben Clark Law School, which was held by John W. Welch beginning in 1996.