Toni Harris Thorpe, better known as Mama Thorpe, celebrated her retirement from her position as program coordinator of the African American Cultural Center on Monday afternoon at a banquet in the McKimmon Center. Hundreds of alumni, coworkers, family, friends and students gathered to receive a hug from Mama Thorpe as well as to exchange encouraging words.
Thorpe began her career at NC State in 1991 with Center State at Stewart Theatre, working for a total of 24 years at the university. Throughout her past 15 years as program coordinator at the AACC, Thorpe has been named a Living Legend and served as an adviser to the AYA Ambassadors, a collaboration program between the AACC and PEACE Church on campus.
After a warm reception, attendees lined up to share memories of and gratitude for Thorpe’s work at NC State.
“Like many others in the room, I met Mama Thorpe on my first day here at NC State through the African American Symposium,” said Naqoia Dobson, a 2008 NC State graduate. “What I love most about Mama Thorpe is that she could just read you.”
Many others remarked at how receptive and accommodating Thorpe was to students’ personal needs and varying backgrounds. According to the speakers, Thorpe was an excellent source of professional inspiration and confidence when they were in greatest need of them.
“If Mama Thorpe sees something in you and she wants to pull it out of you, you will end up in her office,” said Matthew Wright, a junior studying graphic design. “I’ve grown so much as a student, as a professional, as a young person because of the influence that [Mama Thorpe] has.”
Thorpe originally received her name after her predecessor for being a kind-hearted maternal figure to both students and to her extended family of NC State faculty.
“Mama Thorpe is definitely an appropriate name for her because she treats all of her students as her own children,” Wright said. “I have yet to meet a faculty or staff member, really anyone on campus that’s as nurturing as she is. Every time that you have a problem, if you need to talk to someone. even if you just need a hug and a ‘how are you,’ she’s always open arms.”
Nearly all of Thorpe’s students remarked at how caring and loving she was during her time at NC State during the banquet.
“She’s my go to,” said Achaia Dent, a sophomore studying animal science. “If I ever need anything, like just a talk or to listen, I know that I can go to her.”
Thorpe’s co-workers praised her for being a true asset to the NC State faculty in that she was genuine and incredibly receptive to student needs and professional development.
Following words from the attendees, Mama Thorpe took the stage to express her gratitude to the audience. When beginning to speak about the students, Thorpe was especially moved, showing the profound impact of the relationships formed between them during her career at NC State.
“To the students: you are everything to me,” said Thorpe. “You are why I wanted to get here early; you are why I wanted to stay here late. You cannot imagine how much I believe in you.”
Mama Thorpe felt great joy in being able to spend more time with her grandsons and reminded all of the audience that she would continue to uphold and expand her role as a mentor and guide to those whom she has built relationships with at NC State and to those whom she will encounter in the future.
“I believe that acquaintances go away, but relationships just revolve and evolve, so even though I’m leaving you — our relationship isn’t over: it’s just changing format,” Thorpe said. “There’s a proverb that says, ‘fools repeat them, and wise people live them.’ I look forward to living every proverb that I’ve given.”
Toni "Mama" Thorpe shares a laugh with the crowd at her retirement celebration held in the McKimmon Center on Monday. Friends and family showered Mama Thorpe with praise and gratitude for her many years spent serving the NC State community.
