Susan Hopper: Our family’s answer to prayer

When people think about Union University, they often think about academics, campus life and the lifelong memories created during their college years. Students are introduced to the admissions office before they ever set foot on campus, and throughout their journey they are guided by professors, staff and mentors who help shape their future.

For many students, one of the most important offices they encounter, especially as they approach graduation, is the registrar’s office.

The registrar’s office plays a critical role in every student’s academic journey. Degree audits, course registration, transcripts, graduation requirements, academic records, scheduling, curriculum management, NCAA certification and countless other responsibilities all fall under its umbrella. Behind every diploma handed to a graduating student is a dedicated team ensuring that every academic requirement has been met with excellence and integrity.

At the center of that work for years has been Union’s registrar, Susan Hopper.

Susan and her team manage thousands of transactions each year. While that accomplishment alone is impressive, it tells only part of the story — because Susan’s true impact extends far beyond the office.

As a 1993 Union graduate, I experienced firsthand the unique sense of community and family that makes Union so special. Some of my greatest memories were formed during my years as a Bulldog. Union gave me more than an education. It gave me lifelong friendships, a strong foundation of faith and a sense of family.

Years later, it was a proud moment when our daughter, Emma Katherine, began considering colleges and found herself drawn to Union. As parents, my wife and I prayed for many things. While we prayed for her safety, success and future opportunities, there was one particular prayer that remained close to our hearts.

Living an hour and a half away, we prayed that God would place someone in her life who would become a trusted friend and mentor. Someone local. Someone who would care for her when we could not be there. Someone who would help make Union feel like home.

During one of our campus visits, we happened to meet Susan Hopper. She greeted our family warmly and took a genuine interest in Emma Katherine. As our visits continued, our paths seemed to cross repeatedly.

After Emma Katherine officially committed to Union, I shared the exciting news on social media. Among the many congratulatory messages, one stood out. Susan wrote, “Mike, let me know if I can help in any way while Emma Katherine is here at Union. Here is my contact information. Please don’t hesitate to call.”

She wasn’t simply being polite. Over those four years, Susan has become exactly what we prayed for.

She welcomed Emma Katherine during her first days on campus and quickly became a trusted source of encouragement and support. She remembered her birthdays with her favorite Sonic sweet tea, celebrated her successes and offered comfort during life’s challenges.

When college life became overwhelming, Susan listened with compassion, shared words of wisdom, met her for lunch, provided home-cooked meals and faithfully prayed for her. When Emma Katherine suffered a fall and hit her head, requiring an unexpected trip to the emergency room, Susan was there immediately to provide comfort, support and reassurance.

Knowing that someone we trusted was by our daughter’s side until Ann and I could arrive gave us tremendous peace of mind and exemplified the genuine care and concern that Susan extends to her students. Through every season, she has provided the kind of care, presence and unconditional support that only family can provide.

More importantly, Susan gave my wife and me something every parent longs for when their child leaves home: peace of mind.

We knew that if Emma Katherine ever needed help, there was someone nearby who genuinely cared about her well-being. Someone who would be there in minutes if needed. Someone who treated her not as a student, but as family.

That person was Susan.

Union University is known for being excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused and future-directed. Those values are evident throughout the institution, but they are especially evident in people like Susan Hopper.

Susan embodies what makes Union special. She serves with excellence in her professional role, but she also ministers through kindness, compassion and genuine care for students. She is one of the many faculty and staff members who become adopted moms, dads, aunts and uncles to students far from home.

For our family, Susan became that special person.

When we prayed for someone to look after our daughter, we did not know how God would answer. His answer was family.

His answer was Susan Hopper.

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Mike King, a 1993 Union alumnus, lives in Olive Branch, Mississippi. He currently serves as a finance manager for FedEx Supply Chain. Susan Hopper retired Aug. 31, 2026, after 37 years of service to Union University.