Residence Life

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Residence Life

Most of our undergraduate students live on campus and this is by design. This campus centered approach facilitates a christian community that is key to the college experience we strive to create at Southern Adventist University. Residence life is set up to help you succeed academically, socially, and spiritually. It's our hope that you'll not only find helpful study groups and insightful collaborators, but that you'll also develop strong friendships to keep for the rest of your life and into eternity.

Thatcher Hall

Thatcher Hall is the women's residence. Facilities include a chapel, a café, kitchens, cardio exercise room, weight room, recreation room, and laundry rooms.

Talge Hall

Talge Hall is the men's residence. Facilities include a chapel, kitchens, weight room, recreation room, indoor bike storage, and laundry rooms.

Southern Village

Southern Village is for upperclassmen, housing both men and women at Southern. Still separated by gender, a group of 4 students share an apartment with 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, kitchen, and laundry room.

Meet the Deans

Lisa Hall

Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life

Dean Hall has worked in Residence Life since she came to Southern in 2004. While at Southern, she worked as a residence hall dean for 15 years before becoming Dean of Students and overseeing the Residence Life program in its entirety. She appreciates the variety that working with students brings and enjoys getting to know students regardless of the situation. Her greatest desire is to reflect Christ in all that she does as she interacts with students. In her spare time, she loves watching sports (especially tennis and football), reading, gardening, and most important to her is spending time with family and friends.

Chamra Anthony

Associate Dean

As a student, Dean Anthony worked as a resident assistant and student dean and discovered that her greatest passion in life was to lead young people to Christ by serving first. After graduating from Andrews University with a master's degree in School Counseling, she worked at La Sierra University and Atlantic Union College as a dean. Dean Anthony joined the Residence Life team in 2007. She loves to shop and enjoys cooking and eating food and traveling (especially to her parents' home in Antigua).

Brandon Dorn

Assistant Dean

Dean Dorn graduated from Southern Adventist University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. As a university student, he worked as a resident assistant for three years, as well as served as an Assistant Boy’s Dean in Denmark for a year. He joined the Residence Life team in August of 2019. In his free time, he enjoys playing a variety of different sports, as well as reading and spending time with friends and family.

Tisha Looby

Associate Dean

Dean Looby is an alum of Southern who is married to her high school sweetheart, Michael. They have three adorable children, Michael Jr., Matthew, and Layla. She is most known for her creativity and infectious laugh. In her free time she enjoys traveling, cooking, and art. The only thing that exceeds Dean Looby's love for family and friends is her passion for ministering to young women. For a dose of truth, love, and laughter stop by Dean Looby’s office.

J.P. Mathis

Associate Dean

Dean Mathis is married to Don Mathis. God has blessed them with 30+ years of a wonderful marriage and three children, Nikie, Renee, and Tyler. Don and JP enjoy life with their children and grandchildren, They both look forward to Jesus' soon return. Stop by Dean Mathis’s office in Thatcher South if you have any questions or just want to visit or pray. 

Carl Patterson

Associate Dean

Dean Patterson came to Southern in 2004. Before joining the Residence Life team he was a dean at Bass Memorial, Hawaiian Mission, Highland, Valley Grande, and Adelphia Academies.

Susan Pennington

Associate Dean

Dean Pennington graduated from Southern with a BS in Business Management and a BBA in Accounting.. Dean Pennington is married to her best friend of 30+ years, Kevin. Their source of joy and happiness comes from their two children, Rob and LeeAnne. Dean Pennington loves getting together with all of her family, going to the beach, tennis, walking with friends, and having students over to her house to eat and socialize. She says her favorite part of her job is being able to interact with all the young ladies and seeing God's love and grace daily in the residence halls and on campus.

John Sager

Associate Dean

Dean Sager to Southern in 2001. Previous to his time here he worked as Boys Dean at Mount Pisgah Academy for five years and Chaplain at Bass Memorial Academy for three years.  Dean Sager feels the interaction with students is the most fulfilling part about working in Residence Life.

John Willis

Associate Dean

Dean Willis hails from Pacific Northwest. He was born and raised in Caldwell, Idaho. He graduated from Gem State Academy in 1989, attended Walla Walla University for 2 years and graduated from Boise State University with a BS in Physical Education. He met his wife, Jenn, at Gem State and they have been married for 25+ years. They have 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy. In his free time he has a passion for reading and enjoys spending time with his children. Before coming to Southern in 2011, he was an academy dean for 16 years. He looks forward to getting to know the residents here and have the opportunity to serve them.

Lisa Patterson

Administrative Dean

Dean Patterson has a BA in Communications and is currently working on her Masters in Clinical Mental Health. When she is not at work she enjoys spending time with her husband and twin boys. She is blessed to work with the students in the Residence Halls but she also finds joy in helping parents navigate sending their children off to college. Dean Patterson loves being able to help and serve the students and community here at Southern