During the spring 2026 graduation weekend, Alayne Thorpe was honored with the President’s Medallion at the Commencement service for the College of Education & International Services and Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.
Thorpe completed her BA in English in 1977 and MA in English in 1980 at the University of Maryland. She went on to complete a fellowship on Anglo-Irish poetry at the University of Cambridge before receiving her PhD in modern British literature from the University of Maryland in 1987.
She began her career as a teacher at Montgomery Blair High School, then went on to work for Home Study International. Beginning in 1986, she became an advisory teacher and curriculum committee member at Takoma Academy, and from 1988–2010, she simultaneously taught as an adjunct professor for Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) and the University of Maryland.
Thorpe joined Griggs University/Griggs International Academy in 1989, where she served as senior vice president for education for 22 years. In 2011, she became president of Griggs International Academy and dean of the School of Distance Education & International Partnerships at Andrews University.
In 2017, Thorpe took on the additional role of dean, and later associate provost, of the School of Graduate Studies. After a reorganization within the University’s schools and colleges, she also became dean of the newly formed College of Education & International Services in 2019.
Thorpe has committed her career to improving the educational experiences of students around the world. Her legacy of innovation, mentorship and wisdom exemplifies a deep commitment to education that transcends borders.