Reinhardt University welcomes Adrian Tharpe as Director of Residence Life and Community Standards. Working in the Student Affairs department, he handles judicial and disciplinary affairs on campus, while making each resident’s hall safer, more livable and a fun community.
Tharpe grew up in a small town in Tennessee. His family’s love and care evolved into his passion for helping people. This led him to enter hotel and restaurant hospitality before obtaining his bachelor’s and Educational Specialist (EdS) degrees.
“I run my residence hall like a hotel,” says Tharpe, “The kids are checking in and checking out just like guests do. I deal with maintenance issues, dining and serving food… I let RA’s and coordinators know that our students are really our customers. We need to make sure they are being served properly and have the best possible experience.”
Along with experience, Tharpe brings a positive attitude. He previously suffered from an immobilizing stroke. Through rehab, his faith, family, friends, and music, he fully recovered. Even in hard times, he believes in optimism, “Don’t be discouraged about anything. Your faith will keep you even if things come your way. Just stay encouraged.”
In his free time, Thorpe loves singing Gospel music. As a member of a Gospel Choir, he sung backup for awarding winning artists such as BeBe and CeCe Winans, Kelly Price, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin and Rascal Flatts. He’s also been a music director and advisor for Gospel choirs at other universities.
