Thinly framed black glasses rest on his nose and a big smile that reveals laugh lines near the corner creases of his eyes stands out when he talks about Shippensburg University.

His desk is covered with papers and two Red Raider coffee mugs sit in the front, holding pencils and pens. At the far end of the desk lays a Red Raiders tan baseball cap, showing even more SU pride.

All around the room are pictures of the man behind the desk meeting different celebrities at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center. The two pictures that stand out are the two of his adopted son and daughter placed precisely on the top middle shelf of a wooden case, positioned so whoever sits at the desk can perfectly see the two smiling faces.

He wears a pin-striped light blue button down and a matching red tie with tiny blue crabs in the design. He leans back in his Red Raider logo chair and crosses his arms over his chest as he talks about his life growing up. But when SU comes into conversation, he leans forward with excitement in his eyes, eager to talk about his favorite place.

President George “Jody” Harpster, the man behind the desk, is to be inaugurated on Oct. 2 in the Luhrs Center as the 16th president of of the university.

Born and raised in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, Harpster grew up with an older sister, his mother and father. Harpster was the first college student among his family. His mother was a stay-at-home mom, and his father had worked on a railroad since he had to leave school in eighth grade.

“We didn’t have a lot of financial resources, but we did have a lot of love,” Harpster said. “My family believed that if you worked hard and were an honest person you could get ahead.”

For Harpster, it was never a question of if he was going to college, but rather where he was going to go to college. He said he chose to attend Juniata College because of the rigorous education program and the fact that a high percentage of students would get into medical or dental school after graduation, which was his plan.

His plan changed, however, when he had the opportunity to see the institution from a different viewpoint. Harpster become the vice president of the student government, where he was then appointed to the board of institutions. He got to see a broader picture of the way an institution works and that set the stage for the rest of his life, Harpster said.

After graduating in 1972, Harpster continued his education at SU, where he was heavily involved with the campus. Harpster was a residence director, had an internship with the dean of men and had an internship with former SU President Gilmore Seavers.

“I felt that it was a very special place,” Harpster said, “All those things I felt and believed when I was a student, I still feel and more.”

Harpster began his career at SU as the vice president of student affairs and he never expected that 20 years later, he would be the university’s president.

His experience also includes serving as interim president from 2005-2007 and again, from 2013 until January 2015, when he was selected to be the next president of SU.

Looking into the week of the inauguration, Harpster is still more focused on the students and Shippensburg community than himself.

“He focuses more on relationships than politics and I think that’s a unique quality,” said Michelle Bradley, former Student Senate president. “I could sing his praises all day.”

Bradley also recalled how Harpster went out of his way to drive out on a weekend by himself to a senate retreat so that he could get to know the members of the senate.

“I’ve tried to become a part of the community,” Harpster said. “I live here in town. I sit in the pew at church in town and I shop for groceries in town.”

Current Student Senate President Dominic Giovanniello also sees unique qualities in President Harpster. He will be welcoming Harpster on behalf of the student body at the inauguration.

“I think he’s unique in the sense that he doesn’t separate his persona from his professional life. What you get is what you get and that is very good in a leadership role,” Giovanniello said.

Harpster will be inaugurated on Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. in the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center.

Many students and faculty believe that he is prepared for the job.

“It is important to understand that Harpster has been interim president on two occasions,” said James Johnson, dean of education and human services. “In each of these appointments, he worked with the deans of the colleges to do everything that he could to advance their mission and combine these missions into a unified vision for the university. Being appointed as president only continues these activities in the same direction that he has always held.”

Harpster has worked with the College of Education and Services with the master of arts in teaching proposal, the doctoral degree in educational leadership with Millersville University.

He has also worked with the College of Arts and Sciences in accreditations and the implementation of the engineering field. The department is now hoping that the values of these programs can be understood and discussed.

“Raising our profile and making folks more aware of the quality of education when you come here [to Shippensburg] is important,” said James H. Mike, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, “We deliver a lot for Pennsylvania and our students.” Harpster said he plans to do “a better job of telling our story about how good this place is and what we have to offer.”

He is humbled and excited for the upcoming inauguration. Harpster is especially happy that many of his family and friends are coming from all across the country to attend the inauguration, and that his in-laws, who are unable to travel, will be able to watch the inauguration as it streams on the SU website.

“I’m very proud and humbled coming in to the position. I am appreciative of the inauguration committee and dozens of people who have helped organize the event,” Harpster said.

The inauguration is free to the public and students can pick up free tickets at the Ceddia Union Building information desk to attend the reception following the ceremony.

“My hope is that I am up to the challenge and, with all modesty, I believe I am,” Harpster said, “The ship is in good hands.”

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