“I fell in love with the atmosphere at Reinhardt College right away,” said 1983 Reinhardt graduate, Sue Hart Hightower.
Hightower has always had a place in her heart for Reinhardt after first coming to campus with her friend, Kay Jones. After being shown around campus and meeting some of Jones’ friends, Hightower knew that this is where she wanted to further her education.
While diligently studying, she met her now husband, Cherokee Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower. Upon graduating from Reinhardt College – then a two-year school – they got married and promptly returned to campus as resident directors as they worked toward their bachelor’s degrees at another school.
While being a dorm mother at the age of 23, Hightower went on to Kennesaw State University for nursing, but was led in another direction as she changed her major to Middle Grades Education. This change in major proved to be an impactful one as she went on to teach for 30 years.
Hightower taught general education math for 11 years, and also earned a special education degree. That career path that changed so many years earlier led her to impact the lives of special needs children in Cherokee County. Upon retirement, Hightower ended her career as a Special Education Facilitator and Lead Special Education Facilitator at the district office.
The Hightowers have lived happily in Canton ever since they left Reinhardt, and Sue still contributes as a member of the Alumni Board of Governors.
She enjoys traveling with her husband, which recently has included trips to Iceland, Chicago, Philadelphia and Mexico. They also can be found running in charitable 5K races throughout the year. Whatever they choose to do, the Hightowers seem to always choose to #OptOutdoors.
Brian and Sue have two children, Stephanie and Jonathan, and their daughter-in-law, Kelly. They will soon be celebrating 35 years of marriage that sprouted at their alma mater.
