CLARKSVILLE, TN – Austin Peay State University (APSU) is mourning the loss of President Emeritus Dr. Sherry Hoppe, the university’s first female president and a leader credited with steering the institution through some of its most precarious financial chapters toward an era of unprecedented growth.
The university was notified of her passing today. Hoppe, a veteran of Tennessee higher education for nearly four decades, served as Austin Peay’s president from 2001 until her retirement in 2007.
A Legacy of Financial Stewardship and Growth
Dr. Hoppe arrived at Austin Peay in 2000 as interim president, inheriting a $4 million federal debt and a university facing severe financial instability. Her “tenacious” and “policy-oriented” approach not only eliminated the debt but also launched Austin Peay into a period of historic expansion.
Under her leadership, enrollment surged by 30%, making APSU the fastest-growing university in Tennessee for four consecutive years. She spearheaded the university’s first-ever capital campaign, which exceeded its $30 million goal early and ultimately netted $31 million for the institution.
“She was president during a very difficult financial time, and she focused on things that brought Austin Peay back into good financial standing,” said Mitch Robinson, who served as vice president of finance during her tenure. “She expected a lot of her people, and she expected a lot of herself as well. We spent a lot of hours working on the budgets and trying to make the right decisions.”
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Dr. Hoppe was the first university president who Dr. Carol Clark worked for.
“[Dr. Hoppe] stepped into the presidency during a time of unprecedented fiscal challenges with unwavering commitment and a deep passion for strengthening Austin Peay,” said Clark, who started as a special assistant to the president under Dr. Hoppe and is now APSU President Mike Licari’s chief of staff. “I was fortunate to see her vision realized. Her foresight, integrity, and dedication not only shaped the university she loved but have also deeply influenced and encouraged me throughout my career in higher education.”
Transforming the Campus Experience
Dr. Hoppe modernized the academic and physical landscape of the campus. She oversaw the launch of the university’s first online courses and the construction or renovation of eight major buildings, including the Sundquist Science Complex, the Foy Fitness and Recreation Center, and the Morgan University Center.
Roy Gregory, Austin Peay’s head football coach in the 1990s and the executive director of outreach when he retired in 2015, collaborated closely with Dr. Hoppe, describing her as a “tremendous leader” with a singular focus on the university’s “growth and vitality.”
“She had a real knowledge and wisdom of how to lead a university and how to reach out and develop relationships, not only with alumni but also with people in the community and throughout the state of Tennessee,” Gregory said.
Dr. Hoppe’s commitment to an inclusive campus led to the establishment of the Hispanic Cultural Center (now named the Latino Cultural Center) and the expansion of the Austin Peay Center at Fort Campbell. These initiatives ensured that the university’s growth served a diverse and evolving student body.
Her vision also extended to specialized programs that continue to define the university today. Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts recalled her excitement when the state approved the establishment of the Governor’s School for Computational Physics.
“I still remember getting her call early one morning. She was excited that the governor had approved Austin Peay’s request,” Pitts said. “That program is still going strong today. That is a small part of her legacy.”
A Champion for Athletics
Dr. Hoppe was a fervent supporter of the “total athletic program,” viewing sports as a vital tool for student recruitment. Her tenure saw the addition of women’s soccer as a varsity sport, 19 conference championships, and the return of scholarship football in 2006 after a decade-long hiatus.
Gregory recalls the moment Dr. Hoppe gave the green light for football’s return: “She came to me and said, ‘Think you can raise enough money for us to get back in scholarship football?’ I said, ‘Yes, ma’am.’ She said, ‘Let’s get at it then.’”
Dave Loos, Austin Peay’s longtime Hall of Fame basketball coach and former athletic director, emphasized her commitment to institutional integrity.
“Dr. Hoppe’s top priority, as it related to athletics, was ‘do it the right way,’” he said. “That is, strict adherence to NCAA rules. At the same time, she also strongly believed in making sure that our student-athletes were students first, athletes second.”
Loos also noted her holistic vision. “While she expected success in the win-loss column, of equal importance to her was the coaches teaching life lessons,” he said. “Dr. Hoppe worked tirelessly to improve athletic facilities and sports’ budgets and understood the importance of athletics’ role as a rallying point for the community.”
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She was a fixture at athletic events, eventually becoming the first university president inducted into the Red Coat Society as an honorary member.
“She understood that a strong athletic program was a primary outreach tool for attracting students,” Gregory said. “She was a leader who knew how to turn a vision into reality.”
In 2017, her contributions were immortalized with her induction into the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Hall of Fame.
A Historic Career
Dr. Hoppe was a trailblazer in the Tennessee Board of Regents system, becoming the first person in the state to move directly from a community college presidency (Roane State) to a four-year university presidency. After her retirement in 2007, she was named president emeritus and remained a dedicated supporter of the university and its student-athletes. An accomplished academic and the author of eight books, Dr. Hoppe’s legacy is defined by the high standards she set for herself and the institution she loved.
“Sherry Hoppe was the quintessential leader,” Pitts said. “Her self-effacing demeanor won her many fans in the community and in the Tennessee General Assembly, while I served there. She was laser-focused on student access to higher education and success.”
Dr. Linda Rudolph, who served as Interim vice president for Academic Affairs under Dr. Hoppe and was a longtime psychology professor at Austin Peay, described her as a remarkable woman who stood tall among education leaders.
“She had a clear vision for the future of education as well as a strong ethical sense in her decision-making,” Rudolph said. “She was my friend for many years. I saw her untiring work and dedication to APSU and education in general. I also saw her love and dedication to her husband, Bobby, and to her family and friends. She was a woman I admired and will miss.”
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