High Point University Magazine | Spring 2022 by High Point University

Spring 2022

GOD. FAMILY. COUNTRY.

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

ACADEMIC INNOVATION: Ranked #1 Most Innovative for 7 Consecutive Years

LIFE SKILLS:

Employers Appreciate HPU’s Relevant Career Preparation

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING:

HPU’s Entire Campus is a Real-World Learning Lab

VALUES-BASED EDUCATION:

Faith, Family and Patriotism Are Woven into Campus Life

Extraordinary

EXPANSION

HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein made an extraordinary announcement this spring that garnered the attention of media outlets across the country. Qubein announced HPU has received $100 million in gifts, will build several new facilities and will open four new academic schools in law, nursing, entrepreneurship and optometry. It’s all part of a $400 million expansion you can read about on page 14.

CONSISTENTLY RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE: #1 for 10 Years 2013-2022

#1 for 7 Years 2016-2022

Great Dorms Great School

for Communication Majors and Business Majors

Best Dorms in the Nation 11 Consecutive Years Career Development 5 Consecutive Years

Business Education 5 Consecutive Years

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY Magazine Contents

ACADEMIC INNOVATION

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

PREMIER LIFE SKILLS

VALUES-BASED EDUCATION

On the cover: The Farmer family from Paducah, Kentucky, celebrates the values of HPU at the 30-foot-wide American flag inside the new Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. From left to right are Andrew, Todd, Reagan and Suzanne Farmer. Reagan is a sophomore majoring in entrepreneurship. Families appreciate HPU for upholding the same values they instilled in their children: faith, personal initiative, patriotism and gratitude, among others.

THE HPU

Difference Employers appreciate that our graduates are equipped with life skills and grounded in values.

“What you choose is what you get.”

It’s a choice, just like my mother told me all those years ago!

These seemingly simple words were spoken to me by my mother, who had a fourth-grade education. Her wisdom served me well over the years. It’s the type of common sense that isn’t so common anymore.

And it serves our students and the employers who hire them well.

I share important lessons like this in the First-Year Seminar on Life Skills for all new students. HPU is The Premier Life Skills University, and I love teaching this course along with some of my good friends who have accomplished a thing or two, like Cynt Marshall, the CEO of Mark Cuban’s NBA Dallas Mavericks team. By setting the stage for their education with this course, students are introduced to High Point University’s healthy obsession with life skills. Why? Because life skills extend beyond technical skills and outlast them. Yes, our campus is filled with the latest technology and has been ranked for seven consecutive years as #1 Most Innovative by U.S. News & World Report. But we prepare students to render value in an ever-changing marketplace by building relationships, communicating well with others, navigating complex situations and adapting amidst rapid change.

A Student-Focused Culture An impressive 98% of HPU graduates begin employment or graduate school within 180 days of earning their HPU degree. Compare that to the national average at just 82%. Employers and graduate schools value the life skills preparation HPU students develop. If you want to know why High Point University outperforms the national average by a whopping 16 points, you must visit our campus. We know we can’t just lecture young people about our call to action. We have to model it for them. So we’ve intentionally built a distinctive environment that inspires students to want to succeed. Yes, HPU is nationally recognized for its beauty with bountiful gardens, bronze sculptures of history’s greatest leaders, motivating quotes etched along the sidewalks, and academic buildings with lobbies and classrooms that compare to the best facilities in education or business. But it isn’t about beauty. It’s about intentionally creating an environment that uplifts our students.

HPU’s call to action, which students see all over our campus, fuels our mission:

It isn’t about opulence. It’s about the opportunities we provide.

Choose to be Extraordinary!

Simply put, our campus is a product of our culture.

P R E S I D E N T ’S L E T T E R

Academic Excellence and Advanced Degrees Our culture led us to invest $350 million in STEM programs alone, housed on the Innovation Corridor, as a catalyst for thriving undergraduate programs in biology, chemistry, physics and neuroscience. Graduate programs in physician assistant studies, physical therapy and pharmacy are nationally regarded and in high demand. And our culture kept our campus open during the pandemic. We were willing to quickly adapt, install some safety measures and provide the in-person living and learning experience that our students desire. While enrollment declined nationally, our enrollment grew during the pandemic to nearly 6,000 students! At the same time, HPU announced a new School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health (the sixth academic school we’ve founded since 2005), and launched new graduate programs. This spring, we announced a $400 million expansion, fueled by $100 million in gifts from three families in just 30 days. Four more proposed academic schools in law, nursing, entrepreneurship and optometry are part of this expansion. Of course, HPU has enduring roots as a liberal arts institution, and we continue to arm students with the type of holistic education and global context needed to live a life of influence and impact. HPU’s Access to Innovators Program (page 86) is one of our most celebrated and unique programs that helps students develop context to the content they learn in the classroom.

Life Skills Leaders Imagine having the opportunity to ask the co-founder of Apple Computer for insight on technology, game design or artificial intelligence. Imagine pitching your startup idea to the co-founder of Netflix, who is also an angel investor. Consider what it is like for a business student to talk to the CEO of Domino’s about the qualities he needs in future employees. When we surround students with people who have blazed trails, we break down barriers. Students understand that they, too, can forge a path toward success and significance. The experience HPU students have interacting with these global leaders and change agents on a regular basis is transformational.

Add to it the experiential learning opportunities that surround students (see page 54), and you begin to see the HPU educational experience as purposefully unique and highly relevant.

Values-Based Learning As a parent and as a leader, there is one factor that is most important to me, whether I’m dealing with my children or employees. In talking to many parents and leaders, I know this is true for many. What matters most is a person’s judgment. Judgment is the result of your decision-making. There is a quote etched on our Kester International Promenade that our students see every day. The words are from Roy E. Disney, Walt’s nephew: “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” High Point University clearly communicates that we are a God, family and country institution. We are grateful to God for the blessings He provides. We are appreciative of our nation, despite its faults, for the opportunities to pursue our dreams and goals. And we accept everyone on our campus as a member of our family. Kindness, generosity, gratitude, inclusivity, personal initiative, entrepreneurial thinking, joy, respect and patriotism are among the values our campus models and celebrates (read about our Annual Veterans Day Celebration on page 104). HPU was established by the United Methodist Church, and we do not hide from our Christian foundation and beliefs. We welcome one and all, and we attract students and families from every background. We always march on with faithful courage, and we are grateful that families continue to propel this institution to new heights. You’re invited to visit and experience The Premier Life Skills University for yourself. You’ll love it. Sincerely, Nido R. Qubein nqubein@highpoint.edu

P R E S I D E N T ’S L E T T E R

ACADEMIC INNOVATION High Point University students go above and beyond in their chosen disciplines taught by stellar faculty with access to top-notch resources. This is expected at top accredited universities around the world, but this is also where the academic model for some universities begins and ends. Not at HPU. At HPU, academic innovation is a foundational pillar that supports all aspects of our students’ education. The artistic rendering on the right depicts a science lab on HPU’s campus — one of many state-of-the-art resources supporting student success. The transformational plan that HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein began when he became president in 2005 has always centered on taking HPU to new academic heights. Since then, HPU has grown from three to 11 academic schools and new facilities all across campus. Students in all academic disciplines have opportunities to partner with professors and engage in research, scholarly pursuits and creative endeavors as early as their freshman year. HPU continues to invest in innovative academic programs that separate our students from other college graduates.

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“

Having the willingness to do things as learning opportunities and finding better ways of doing things will put you ahead of your competition. You get to decide in college if you are going to be innovative. If you’re just going to be a good student, that’s often not enough.” Steve Wozniak,

Co-Founder of Apple Computer and HPU’s Innovator in Residence

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rand GOpening A

TO REMEMBER:

Explore the new Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. One of the most innovative facilities in the country is now open at High Point University. With much fanfare, the 2021 Fall Family Weekend served as a grand opening and celebration for the highly anticipated Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, and the adjoining Jana and Ken Kahn Hotel. A C A D E M I C I N N O VAT I O N

It began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by HPU’s Board of Trustees. In 2017, the board voted unanimously to name the facility after the Qubein family, recognizing them in a way that matches their transformational contributions to HPU. “I am honored to recognize both my friends, Dr. Nido Qubein and his wonderful, supportive wife, Mariana,” said Bob Brown, chairman of HPU’s Board of Trustees, during the ceremony. “President Qubein lives by this principle found in the Gospel of Luke: ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ He has been a dedicated servant-leader of the High Point community for many years. Please join me in thanking the Qubeins for their leadership, their service and their philanthropic gifts to this great university that you see here today.” High Point Mayor Jay Wagner also presented Mrs. Qubein with a key to the city of High Point. “The transformation that HPU has undergone is due to the dedication, courage and vision of Dr. Qubein and Mariana,” said Wagner. “It takes a great team and a great group of people to make great things happen, and that’s what you’re witnessing with the grand opening of the arena. This university’s impact on High Point is immeasurable — from the economic boost to the intellectual vigor and vitality of the city.”

When the ribbon was cut, the doors opened to reveal HPU’s new hub of experiential learning and community fellowship.

Honoring the Qubein Family The weekend was filled with special celebrations, including a star-studded dinner for 1,000 people held inside the new conference center. The event was emceed by Dean Cain, famous actor, former professional football player and HPU’s Actor in Residence known for his role as Superman in the TV series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.” “Tonight is a celebration of the institution that brought us all together,” said Cain as he opened the formal Friday night dinner to introduce the facility to hundreds of leaders from across the country. “Tonight, we celebrate the extraordinary transformation of High Point University. You are seated within a grand space that symbolizes the bold and beautiful contributions of the people for whom this facility is named. The Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center is a unique and highly relevant facility designed to educate, enlighten and inspire. Dr. and Mrs. Qubein, thank you for your continued leadership, philanthropy and commitment to your alma mater.”

Pictured are members of the Qubein family. In the center, HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein holds the ceremonial ribbon-cutting scissors with HPU First Lady Mrs. Mariana Qubein to his right.

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Grammy Award-winning band Train took the stage during the grand opening weekend of HPU’s Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. Read more about how HPU students helped make the concert happen on page 58.

Leaders and friends of the Qubeins from across the country attended and addressed the crowd to honor Dr. Qubein. They included Ron Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture, who commissioned and presented a special sculpture to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Qubein. The bronze sculpture resides in the arena’s lobby for guests to see as they enter. “I first met Dr. Qubein in 2005 at an American Furniture Manufacturers meeting where he was a speaker, and I can’t tell you how impressed I was,” said Wanek. “He has been doing a wonderful job with this university. He has become a leader in U.S. education by combining educational opportunities while stimulating economic growth. This leadership deserves special recognition.” The speakers who followed are too numerous to list here, but each thanked the Qubein family for building a God, family and country institution they’re proud to be part of. Dr. John C. Maxwell, bestselling author, internationally renowned

leadership expert and HPU’s Executive Coach in Residence, thanked Qubein for inspiring others and ensuring students are surrounded by excellence so that they, too, can achieve great things. “You have to put yourself in places that will encourage you to have an abundance mindset. You have to be in the right place with the right people,” said Maxwell. “My friend Jim Collins calls this ‘who luck’ because once you meet the right people, things really turn around. High Point University has ‘who luck.’ You put your children in a place where they will meet people who expand and grow them. The thing that’s obvious to me about big people is that when you’re around them, they make you feel bigger. Dr. Qubein, the same can be said about you. You make all of us feel bigger. May it be said about High Point University that there’s no place like this place.”

A Real-World Learning Lab Already, students in event management, hospitality, sport management, media production and

other majors are gaining hands-on experience working in a variety of positions at the Qubein Center. “First and foremost, this is an educational facility,” Dr. Qubein said about the 350,000-square-foot space during the grand opening. “This is a place where you can learn and grow, nourish your mind, nurture your soul and believe in the art of the possible.” The arena, which sports the state’s largest collegiate Jumbotron, is home to HPU’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, and serves as a venue for major events, speakers, concerts, entertainment, academic symposia and recreational activities. It seats 5,000 people and includes state-of-the-art production equipment, which provides HPU students with incredible learning opportunities. The following night, HPU unveiled the arena to families during a packed concert, which was kicked off by Lee Greenwood. The six-time Grammy Award-winning singer performed his chart-topping hit, “God Bless the USA.” A C A D E M I C I N N O VAT I O N

Grammy Award-winning band Train took the stage next, performing hit songs like “Drops of Jupiter” and “Hey, Soul Sister.” The arena was filled with flashing lights and cheering families who wore wristbands that changed colors in unison throughout the night. HPU students operated Jumbotron cameras during the concert and helped provide an extraordinary experience for the thousands in attendance. “Opportunities such as these are what I was promised when I arrived at High Point University: hands-on experience,” said Thomas Hart, �22, a sports media major from Fort Mill, South Carolina. “The school could have hired a production crew, but with the trust of the fantastic faculty and staff, I put together a team to broadcast something we had never done before — a concert to more than 5,000 people in attendance. It was truly incredible.” The conference center is a high-tech facility with lighting, sound and video equipment for professional presentations and seminars. It can hold up to 1,500 seats and be subdivided into smaller venues. The conference center was a prime venue for Fall Family Weekend, not only during the formal opening dinner on Friday night, but also during a Sunday morning worship service led by Maxwell. Nicole Butterworth, �22, also got hands-on experience in the conference center. She helped make the events possible and welcomed the 1,000 guests to Friday’s dinner. “I am one of the first event management majors to actually have hands-on experience in this arena,” said Butterworth, a university events intern from Old Tappan, New Jersey. “I couldn’t be prouder of myself for that. I am grateful for all the events and opportunities I have been given through this facility and this internship.” Since the grand opening, Butterworth and other students have helped HPU hold numerous events for campus and community members. Those events include HPU’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration and HPU’s Annual Prayer Breakfast, each welcoming more than 1,000 attendees. Read more about her experience on page 57.

HPU’s New Hotel Opens In addition to the arena and conference center, the Kahn Hotel adjoins this multipurpose space, located at

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Pictured from left to right are HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein and Jana and Ken Kahn, for whom the Kahn Hotel is named.

the corner of Lexington Avenue and University Parkway. The hotel, a state-of-the-art learning lab, is named after Jana and Ken Kahn, who made a major gift to the university. The hotel has 30 residential rooms, a fine-dining restaurant named Alo and a meeting space. Proceeds from the hotel will benefit the funding of HPU scholarships. The Kahns are major advocates of HPU, gifting $5 million to support the creation of the hotel on HPU’s campus. Ken Kahn is a graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School. He is the president of LRP Media Group, a multimillion-dollar global media company serving education and business professionals, which he started in 1977. He is also on the Board of Trustees at HPU and has been honored many times by businesses and civic organizations for his involvement. Jana Shellington Kahn graduated magna cum laude from Temple University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in human resources and management, and currently serves as chief marketing officer with LRP Media Group. “We are blessed by the support from Jana and Ken Kahn to create the Kahn Hotel,” said Qubein. “Their advocacy is creating an environment of learning for our students, a place to call home for our guests and propelling our university to new heights.”

Left: Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence, was one of several global leaders to celebrate HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein and his family during the grand opening event. Right: Dr. Qubein thanked the 1,000 leaders who traveled from across the country to honor him during this special event.

Global Leaders Honor President Qubein: The following industry leaders honored HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein during the opening of the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. Here’s an excerpt from each of their presentations, edited for clarity and brevity: “The Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center is a unique and highly relevant facility designed to educate, enlighten and inspire. Dr. and Mrs. Qubein, thank you for your continued leadership, philanthropy and commitment to your alma mater.” – Dean Cain, HPU’s Actor in Residence known for his role as Superman in the TV series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” “I first met Dr. Qubein in 2005 at an American Furniture Manufacturers meeting where he was a speaker, and I can’t tell you how impressed I was. He has been doing a wonderful job with this university. Nido Qubein has become a leader in U.S. education by combining educational opportunities while stimulating economic growth. This leadership deserves special recognition.” – Ron Wanek, Founder and Chairman of Ashley Furniture

“HPU is so special. That’s why students are granted unprecedented access to innovators like Dr. Qubein.” – Cynt Marshall, Dallas Mavericks CEO and HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence “Dr. Qubein, thank you for your generous spirit, dedication and craftmanship. Thank you for your grace and your intentionality.” – Byron Pitts, Co-Anchor of ABC’s “Nightline” and HPU’s Journalist in Residence “The thing that’s obvious to me about big people is that when you’re around them, you just feel bigger. Dr. Qubein, the same can be said about you. You make all of us feel bigger. May it be said about High Point University that there’s no place like this place.” – Dr. John C. Maxwell, Bestselling Author, Internationally Renowned Leadership Expert and HPU’s Executive Coach in Residence

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The Art of the Possible:

Throughout the Qubein Center, you’ll see special artwork and incredible features that reflect the values of the university and the versatility of the space. These include: • The 30-foot tall by 60-foot wide “Choose to be Extraordinary” mosaic wall, pictured left, represents HPU’s transformation since President Qubein took office in 2005. The wall shows 6,000 photos of students, faculty, staff and families. • A giant American flag that’s 30-feet wide celebrates HPU’s values with the words “God. Family. Country.” The letters will soon be forged with steel from the Twin Towers in New York City. The flag represents how faith, family and patriotism are woven into the fabric of campus life. See the flag on the cover of this magazine and page 98. • A kinetic sculpture of HPU’s Prowler the Panther mascot holds a spinning basketball with an open seat next to him, providing the perfect family photo op. • The new facility houses the state’s largest Jumbotron in a college exclusive environment. See the Jumbotron on page 124. • The Team Store and Panther Boutique reflects the hands-on learning opportunities for students inside the arena. It is operated by students, and the ultimate design was greatly influenced by student designers. Students gain experience in customer service, product design and event management. • HPU Spirit Exhibits scale the walls with cheering fans and photos of students celebrating their HPU pride! • The High Point Citizens of the Year display showcases the impactful people of the city who received this honor, presented annually by The High Point Enterprise.

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Media across the nation shared HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein’s extraordinary expansion plan, which he unveiled during a press conference on March 9, 2022.

HPU’S

$400 Million EXPANSION The academic growth plan includes four new academic schools in law, nursing, entrepreneurship and optometry, along with several multimillion-dollar projects.

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$400 Million Press Conference: Watch a news story with highlights from the standing-room-only event when HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein announced the university’s next phase of growth. No place embodies transformation like High Point University.

includes several multimillion-dollar projects, such as:

That’s why on a Wednesday in March, HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein made an announcement that rippled across national media.

It went like this: After receiving three historic gifts totaling $100 million from three families in the last 30 days (see page 20), Qubein announced a $400 million academic expansion to be completed by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, HPU’s Centennial Anniversary.

It took place during a standing-roomonly event in Congdon Hall’s Callicutt Life Skills Theater.

The academic expansion includes the following proposed academic schools:

• 32 new student houses on campus

To say it was unexpected wouldn’t be entirely true — Qubein has made many impressive campus growth announcements over the years. But the plan he unveiled is so expansive, you’d be hard pressed to find any similar announcement from another university.

• School of Law • School of Nursing • School of Entrepreneurship • School of Optometry To support HPU’s ever-growing enrollment, the expansion also

• $80 million Panther Commons with apartments for graduate and undergraduate students, several retail stores, study space and more at the corner of Farris Avenue and Panther Drive • A $25 million parking garage • $75 million in overall campus improvements “At HPU, we’re going to the moon,” Qubein told the crowd. At that moment, the audience could almost feel themselves being catapulted into space.

New facilities will support HPU’s growing number of academic schools and graduate programs, all housed in a central area on HPU’s Innovation Corridor.

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HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein revealed the next $400 million expansion plan to a standing-room-only audience inside the Callicutt Life Skills Theater.

The ‘Art of the Possible’ Even the simplest bar chart comparing 2005 to 2022 quickly illustrates where faithful courage can lead. Back then, the campus was small and indistinctive. Today, Qubein has shown higher education what transformational leadership looks like. Most people wouldn’t have believed HPU would one day be a globally recognized institution with multiple graduate

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schools, national rankings in higher education and an arena that rivals the best in the country. At nearly 6,000 students, the university achieved its largest total enrollment during a global pandemic. Academic schools have increased from only three to 11 and will grow to 14 with the addition of the new, proposed schools. Numerous new undergraduate and graduate programs have been

added, campus expanded from 91 to 520 acres, net assets multiplied tenfold and the size of the endowment tripled. “His vision has been evident in High Point’s huge boost in faculty, its record enrollment and the increasing number of stunning, over-the-top facilities popping up on campus, bolstered by millions in donations over the past decade,” a story in University Business said this spring.

HPU’s $400 Million Expansion Includes: • School of Law and new facility • School of Nursing and new facility • School of Entrepreneurship and new facility • School of Optometry and new facility • School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health and new facility • $30 million in dental clinics for HPU’s Oral Health Network • New $80 million, 150,000-square-foot library • $80 million Panther Commons that will include apartments for graduate and undergraduate students, several retail stores, study space and more at the corner of Farris Avenue and Panther Drive • 32 new student houses and tiny homes totaling $10 million on campus • $25 million parking garage with 1,200 spaces • Additional campus improvement projects totaling $75 million

The growth is a byproduct of HPU’s mission: the transformation of its students. “HPU knows a thing or two about transformation because we’ve transformed our campus and our culture,” said Qubein. “We model this for our students. Here, they learn the art of the possible. They see their campus constantly growing to adapt to the world as it will be. They see extraordinary take shape before them. They learn that they, too, can achieve great things.”

At HPU, we’re going to the moon.” HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein

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This architectural rendering depicts HPU’s future $80 million, 150,000-square-foot library.

Founded on Values, Framed with Life Skills While there are now more than 70 academic degrees to pursue at HPU, they’re all part of The Premier Life Skills University. Parents, students and alumni frequently tell Qubein and campus leaders that the premier life skills and values-based learning environment are what resonates with them. Turn to page 98 to meet some of these families and discover what HPU has helped their students achieve. Or read what executives leading successful companies

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say new graduates need at www.highpoint.edu/lifeskills. Data collected by the HPU Poll clearly shows that employers want students who are equipped with life skills, such as the ability to adapt in a changing world, solve complex problems and communicate well with others. That’s because life skills extend beyond and outlast the inevitable change of technical skills. The result of it all is this: 98% of HPU graduates are employed or in graduate school within 180 days of earning their HPU degree. That’s why HPU has been on a continual upward trajectory. Simply put, HPU’s distinctive learning model

produces graduates prepared to succeed in the world as it will be. The transformation on HPU’s campus is an important part of that. By living in a transformational environment, they, too, embrace the relentless pursuit of excellence. “Our growth is truly a miracle with God’s hand on it,” Qubein said. “Students and families across the country appreciate that HPU delivers an education founded on values and framed with life skills. Our future has never been brighter, and our faculty and staff continue marching forward with faithful courage.”

The $80 million Panther Commons will include apartments for graduate and undergraduate students, several retail stores, study space and more at the corner of Farris Avenue and Panther Drive.

The $25 million enclosed parking garage will add 1,200 spaces to campus.

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$100 Million

from Three Families in 30 Days Since 2005, HPU has raised $600 million without a formal campaign. In just 30 days, High Point University received historic gifts totaling $100 million from three separate families. The three families all reside outside of North Carolina and own and operate businesses in the areas of health care, insurance and publishing. The $100 million will specifically support a 150,000-square-foot library, a facility for HPU’s future School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health, and a new School of Law and its facility.

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These gifts also help fuel a much larger $400 million expansion, which you can read about on page 14. No new debt will be acquired to complete the expansion thanks to families such as these who understand and support HPU’s mission. Their generosity reflects the thousands of families who believe in and support HPU’s mission and vision. Since 2005, when Dr. Nido Qubein became president, he has raised $600 million without a formal campaign because people connect with and understand that vision.

HPU also recently received $30 million from alumni and friends, including many $500,000 gifts or higher, and hundreds of gifts of $10,000 and above. Some of these gifts are celebrated on the following pages. “We are grateful for every gift, large or small, but especially for prayers and advocacy,” says Qubein. “Students and families across the country appreciate that HPU delivers an education founded on values and framed with life skills.”

Supporting Academic Success: The $100 million in philanthropic gifts received in 30 days will specifically support: • A new School of Law, including a new facility • A new $80 million, 150,000-square-foot library • A new facility for HPU’s School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health

Trailblazing Transformation Since Dr. Nido Qubein became HPU’s president in 2005, unprecedented growth has taken place. The upward trajectory has continued with momentum even throughout a recession and a global pandemic. This growth chart provides a glimpse of results that would usually take decades to achieve. 2005 2021

Growth

5,860

250%

108

347

221%

Campus Size (acres)

520

471%

Academic Schools

267%

Square Footage

650,000

6.5 million

900%

Buildings on Campus (new and acquired)

126

473%

Total Positions

385

1,856

382%

Economic Impact

$160.3 million

$765 million

377%

Operating and Capital Budget

$38 million

$337.5 million

788%

United Way Giving

$28,000

$260,000

829%

Study Abroad Programs

1,020%

Total Enrollment (Graduate and Undergraduate)

1,673

Full-time Faculty

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SUSTAINING THE

Caine Conservatory: Teresa Caine has made a multimillion-dollar gift to preserve and support the Caine Conservatory in perpetuity. Longtime HPU supporter Teresa B. Caine, of Greensboro, North Carolina, recently made a multimillion-dollar gift to create a preservation endowment ensuring the resources to maintain and sustain the Donald R. and Teresa B. Caine Conservatory in perpetuity.

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Teresa and her late husband Don were honored in September 2021 at the dedication ceremony for the Caine Conservatory. The conservatory is a significant addition to the HPU campus, featuring a classroom, working greenhouse, the Butterfly Café eatery and a planting display space. The conservatory serves as an area for students to conduct botanical research and propagate plants for the Mariana H. Qubein Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The couple also endowed a scholarship at HPU in 2015 to help students who displayed academic merit and exhibit and have financial need. “We are extremely grateful for the Caines’ continued support through the years,” says HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. “Though we are saddened to have lost beloved alumnus Don Caine, we are proud

to have Don and Teresa’s legacy continue through the beautiful and functional building that is the Caine Conservatory. Teresa’s gift guarantees future generations of students and members of the community will have the opportunity to learn and grow in an extraordinary place.” Don was a native of Greensboro and graduated from HPU in 1965. In 1966, he and Teresa founded C&M Products, now known as Camco Manufacturing. The company began with one product, trailer plumbing antifreeze (TPA), and two employees, Don and Teresa. The company was incorporated in 1968, and with the milestone, the Caines began to build their team. When the company was sold in 2021, it employed more than 1,500 people and manufactured over 5,600 products. “Our success with Camco Manufacturing was greater than we

ever imagined,” says Teresa. “We wanted to support High Point University, a university that promotes the values that provided a foundation for our family and business, by investing in its vision and mission. It is my desire for this gift to provide perpetual funding for this extraordinary conservatory for years to come.” While it was Don’s dream to own his own business, nothing mattered to him more than Teresa and his family. The building represents Don’s passion for his alma mater and Teresa’s passion for plants.

To learn more about creating an endowed fund or scholarship that supports High Point University’s 10-year growth plan as we increase the value of the endowment to more than $500 million, contact Chris Dudley, senior vice president for development, at cdudley@highpoint.edu.

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GARY PODELL

SUPPORTS HPU STUDENTS

with Seven-Figure Gift

The father of a High Point University student has committed a seven-figure gift to support students. Gary Podell of Long Island, New York, has a long history of supporting High Point University’s Fund for Extraordinary Education, which provides students the opportunity to position their primary focus on building their academic profile, developing life skills and securing internships. Each year the HPU Fund contributes to the more than $75 million in scholarship assistance provided to students. “Through the support and commitment of HPU parents like Mr. Podell, we are able to provide unparalleled resources and experiences for our students,” says HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein.

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“At HPU, we pride ourselves on lifting our students up and teaching them the necessary life skills to succeed in the world. With the loyalty of alumni, friends and family of the university, we will continue to provide an extraordinary education for our students.” In honor of Podell’s gift to HPU, the Extraordinaire Cinema in the R.G. Wanek Center will be named after his father, Bertram L. Podell, a former United States Congressman. Bertram Podell was a multi-term representative who served in the New York State Assembly and in the United States House of Representatives for New York. The Bertram L. Podell Extraordinaire Cinema is a multi-use theater that offers complimentary films, a faculty film series, special presentations and a large group meeting space.

“The Podell Cinema is a truly remarkable space that demonstrates HPU’s mission of instilling life skills within the minds of students, while also creating areas where they can relax and unwind,” says Podell. “I am honored to be in a position to support HPU and memorialize my father’s legacy at a place that means so much to our family. I hope that my gift and actions can inspire others to support this great institution that has provided so much for them.” Podell graduated from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 1991 and has had a successful career as an attorney. He resides in Long Island, New York, with his wife, Rachel.

HPU Families SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS Each year, the HPU Fund for Extraordinary Education supports students in achieving their academic and professional goals by contributing to the more than $75 million in annual scholarships HPU provides. These families recently made special gifts to the fund. believe that by supporting the school, my family can help to make a lasting impact on the future generations of students.”

Pictured from left to right are Jack, ’21, Diane, Jay, Annabelle and Flint Geier.

Geier Family Gives $150,000 HPU parents Diane and Jay Geier of Atlanta, Georgia, recently made a gift of $150,000 to the HPU Fund for Extraordinary Education. Jay is the founder of the Scheduling Institute, located in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Scheduling Institute began as a training program for front desk personnel at health care locations. Since then, the company has shifted its focus toward helping health care professionals to be their own advocates through seminars, classes and on-site trainings. Diane and Jay have three children, Flint, Jack and Annabelle. Jack graduated from HPU in December 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in sport management. He works as an associate account manager at Collabera, a software sales company.

Pictured from left to right are Julia, Maria, Dom, Bella and Zach, ’24, Del Monaco.

Del Monacos Contribute $100,000 HPU parents Maria and Domenico “Dom” Del Monaco have given $100,000 toward the HPU Fund for Extraordinary Education. The couple are the proud parents of Julia, Gabriella “Bella” and HPU business administration major, Zachary “Zach” Del Monaco, ’24. Dom is the President and CEO of Red Rock Industries, a contracting company that specializes in the construction of car dealerships, recycling plants and parking garages. Red Rock Industries is a Long Island, New York-based company that has expertise in site work, structural steel, concrete and more.

For Diane and Jay, modeling generosity plays a large part in how they interact with their community and the rest of the world.

Maria is an experienced jewelry buyer who previously worked for one of the top jewelry companies in the nation. Now, she owns her own jewelry company, Amber Jade, and runs the business along with their two daughters.

“In our family, philanthropy is a core value that we teach to our children and is a focus within our business,” Jay says. “We believe in leading by example and guiding them on how to make a lasting impact on areas that are important to them. HPU’s mission is similar to the Scheduling Institute’s, and I

“Maria and I are so pleased with all that HPU and Dr. Nido Qubein have accomplished over the years,” says Dom. “We take every opportunity we have to promote HPU to our friends, family and colleagues, and talk about the extraordinary life skills and values that are taught every day at the university.” A C A D E M I C I N N O VAT I O N

COMPASSIONATE

Care

Ask students about the Congdon School of Health Sciences, and they talk about opportunity. Students are awed by the resources available in the Congdon School of Health Sciences. Visitors are too when they see spaces like the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab – the only one of its kind on the East Coast filled with an environmental chamber, zero-gravity treadmill and much more.

Freshman Lena Hetrick (left) has been conducting research with Dr. Lisa Zukowski (right) since she came to HPU.

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What happens in these spaces is even more impressive. Students embrace their professors as mentors. Their research deepens their understanding and jump-starts their career, fulfilling dreams they’ve held forever. And there’s the spirit of the place — that sense of purpose.

They appreciate that, too. “The field of physical therapy goes hand in hand with equity, inclusivity and accessibility,” says Christy Greenwald, a physical therapy doctoral student from Tucson, Arizona. “And I feel proud to be at a school that values these things.”

Patients As Teachers HPU’s Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic sits five minutes from campus. It’s the country’s only full-time clinic where students pursuing their doctorate in physical therapy treat uninsured patients. Since opening in December 2017, the clinic has treated more than 1,000 patients. They speak 18 different languages and come from 35 different countries, illustrating the growing diversity of North Carolina. Under the guidance of local licensed physical therapists and a clinician, small teams of graduate students from HPU’s Department of Physical Therapy volunteer one day a week for three semesters before starting their full-time clinical rotations nationwide. At the clinic, they grow in more ways than one. It’s because of the patients they meet. Like a woman in her 50s whose right shoulder pained her for years. After five visits, she walked in smiling. She told Greenwald she could finally pull her hair back in a ponytail. Gabrielle Faraci, a PT student from Mount Arlington, New Jersey, helped improve the balance of a 62-yearold man recovering from a stroke. After a few months, he no longer dragged his foot. He put aside his walker and started using a cane. Then there’s the arborist in his 40s who injured his spinal cord after falling 30 feet from a tree. Katie Brodeur, a PT student from Atlanta, Georgia, helped him get strong enough to use a walker, and he helped her shed her nervousness. She learned to communicate with the man — a native Spanish speaker who struggled with English —except for something he said after each appointment. “Thank you so much.”

HPU: A Dream Factory Behind the clinic is a community garden tended by HPU students and Rev. Richard Payne, a volunteer

From left to right, physical therapy doctoral students Gabrielle Faraci, Katie Brodeur and Christy Greenwald have amassed experiences in treating patients at HPU’s Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic.

sports chaplain for HPU Athletics. The produce grown in the garden supplements the clinic’s pantry, which provides patients with food. On campus, the Congdon School of Health Sciences helps high school, college and pro athletes rehabilitate in the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab, a 16,000-square-foot space that draws scores of students to HPU. The lab’s technology allows students and professors to carry out all kinds of research that support the 10word statement printed on the wall just outside: Transforming Society By Optimizing Movement To Improve The Human Experience. Upstairs is another make-a-difference spot. It’s the 2,100-square-foot Virtual Reality and Clinical Gait Analysis Lab, pictured at the top of the left page, that assesses human motion and cognition. There, students like Lena Hetrick learn. Hetrick is a freshman from Waxhaw, North Carolina. She’s a Presidential Scholar majoring in neuroscience, and last fall, she asked Dr. Lisa Zukowski about helping with her research. Zukowski said yes. Zukowski, an assistant professor of physical therapy, is assisting Wake Forest School of Medicine on a research project funded by the National Institutes of Health. She received a $221,696 subaward as part of a bigger NIH grant that supports research into detecting Alzheimer’s early enough to help improve a patient’s quality of life.

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In the lab, test groups of older adults perform various everyday tasks, and technology tracks every move. Behind a bank of computers, editing video and accumulating data, is Hetrick. She knows that work will help crystallize her future. Hetrick wants to go to medical school. That’s her dream. Justine Humphrey has a dream, too.

Interning with the NFL “I saw you on TV Sunday.” The combination of faculty, technology, equipment and awe-inspiring research make HPU’s 16,000-square-foot Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab the finest facility of its type.

Last fall, Humphrey heard that often from her parents. They’d be watching the Carolina Panthers play and spot Humphrey on the sidelines. She was one of the Panthers’ four athletic training interns. She beat out hundreds of applicants. In the fall of 2020, she came to HPU with experience. She had worked with the football team at Arizona State University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. But HPU’s master’s degree in athletic training provided her more internship experience. She landed the internship with the Carolina Panthers NFL team thanks to her experience, HPU’s connections and the master program’s academic reputation. Their students have also landed internships at places like NASA.

Paige Rombach

Isaac Shaw

When Humphrey graduates in May, she’ll have accumulated more than 2,500 clinical hours. It’ll help her move closer to her dream job: becoming an athletic trainer for a major college football program. Paige Rombach understands that. She played soccer at HPU, was captain her senior year and graduated in 2018 with a degree in exercise science. She went back to Ohio, her home state, and graduated a year ago with a doctorate in physical therapy. She then landed her dream job. She works with, as she says, “the best of the best.” She’s a physical therapist at the Jamison Crane Sports Medicine Institute, the largest and most advanced sports medicine facility in the Midwest. HPU, she says, helped her get there.

Justine Humphrey (left) worked last fall as one of four athletic training interns with the Carolina Panthers.

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“HPU does a great job of instilling the message of serving others,” she says. “No matter where the people are, you meet them there. You become more of a listener and show them love.”

Dr. Dan Tarara, chair of HPU’s Department of Exercise Science, taught Rombach and helped her become a compassionate clinician. Tarara emphasizes that in every class he teaches. Students like Isaac Shaw, ’23, an exercise science major from Edenton, North Carolina, listen. He sees professors like Tarara as mentors and participates in research at HPU’s biomechanics lab alongside Dr. Christopher Johnston, assistant professor of athletic training. That’s why he came to HPU.

One Physician Assistant’s ‘Why’ Sarah Brown came to visit HPU on her birthday.

“Opportunities drew me to HPU,” says Shaw, “and I have benefitted from it significantly.”

She held an undergraduate degree in neuroscience and a master’s degree in exercise physiology, and she wanted to take what she knew and become a physician assistant.

‘I’ve Got A Path’

As soon as she stepped onto HPU’s campus and began talking to the faculty, she knew.

Dr. Kevin Ford has been busy. In 2012, he came to HPU to create the biomechanics lab and help build a Department of Physical Therapy. Last year, he became the dean of the Congdon School of Health Sciences. He’s now helping build new graduate programs in nursing, health care administration, biomedical science and a doctoral program in medical science. Read more about those programs on page 36. The timing is right, according to Ford. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for health care. But the place is right, too. “It’s a different mindset,” he says of HPU. “This is a can-do place.” Ford still finds time to research alongside students like Ava Taylor, ’24, a biology major from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Taylor contacted Ford when she was a freshman. She’s now working with Ford on a project that uses eight cameras and 30 motion detectors no bigger than a pea to help athletes get stronger and faster. Like Hetrick, Taylor has a dream. She wants to become a biomedical engineer. She knows HPU can help her make that happen. “I’ve got a path,” she says, “and that’s a relieving feeling. HPU has exceeded what I thought it could be.”

“This is where I want to go to PA school,” she told her mom. During her 27 months in HPU’s PA program, Brown discovered a welcoming faculty and an abundance of resources. That included more clinical placements than any other program she considered. Brown participated in nine clinical rotations that took her as close as Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to as far away as Kalamazoo, Michigan. In August, she graduated and accepted a job as a PA in the neonatal intensive care unit at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. Brown has been interested in neonatal medicine since her teenage years babysitting her cousins. At 27, she’s now doing what she calls her “dream job.” She advocates for babies who can’t advocate for themselves, and she’s doing it at a place she first came to respect during one of her clinical rotations. “HPU has a mission and the faculty to support you as a human being,” she says. “They’re so welcoming, and they make sure you’re learning the medical jargon, but they also make sure you’re learning the why.” The why? “You’re always searching for a purpose in life, and for me it is providing care for these babies and family members facing such an emotional challenge,” she says. “The best moments are when you see that baby go home, and you know that baby has a future. And for me, that is my why, my passion.”

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COMPLETE Caregivers Graduates from The Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy see their patients as real people with complex needs. At 81 years old, Barbara McKusick is the most active person Devon Hess knows.

strong interpersonal skills, such as active listening, leadership ability, professionalism and time management.

“She plays the drums. She works out,” says Hess, a doctoral candidate in High Point University’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy.

Thanks to LPE, students like Hess have stronger communication skills, and people in the community find value in connecting with HPU students.

Hess, ’24, meets several times a semester with McKusick, who lives in a senior living community near campus. Their relationship is a product of the Longitudinal Patient Experience (LPE) in HPU’s pharmacy school.

Treating People, Not Patients

The program partners every pharmacy major with a local resident in the community for five semesters – longer than comparable courses at any other pharmacy school. The goal? Give a future pharmacist the impactful experience of connecting with and caring for someone over an extended period of time. “You don’t learn bedside manner in a classroom,” says Program Director Dr. Phillip Stafford. “You learn it from meeting people, looking at them face-to-face and talking to them.” HPU’s pharmacy school understands that being a good pharmacist requires more than having drug knowledge and understanding medication management. It takes

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“Devon is an absolute delight,” says McKusick, who is recently widowed. “She has added a lot of pleasure to my life. She understands the importance of establishing good rapport. She wants to get to know me as a whole person. I think we’re both good huggers.” Hess came to HPU from Aldie, Virginia, as an undergraduate math major. Now, as a pharmacy student, Hess has experience that has prepared her for the real world and that shines on her resume. Through her relationship with McKusick, she’s learned that talking to people with different concerns and backgrounds is a skill you cannot get from a textbook. “It’s especially important in a profession where you’re going to talk to older adults,” says Hess. “Hearing their perspectives is very helpful in guiding how we relate to them.”

Pharmacy students Devon Hess, ’24 (left), and Makenzie Brockel, ’23 (right), developed long-term relationships with community members through the Longitudinal Patient Experience Program. Led by Dr. Phillip Stafford (center), the program pairs students with a community member for several years to discuss medication management and other health matters.

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Burroughs’ students go on daily multidisciplinary rounds to the ICU and general medical floors, report back, check the correctness of prescriptions and if necessary, contact prescribers. Working in hospital settings has changed students’ lives.

Pharmacy students Makenzie Brockel (left) and Devon Hess say they have gained real-world experience at HPU they wouldn’t have received at any other pharmacy school.

“There’s so much more to pharmacy than meets the eye,” says Stafford. “We are the medication experts. We serve a niche, and we bring something that meshes with the other professions because the point is to work together.” That’s why graduates from HPU’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy find success in their careers, but also significance. “Helping people — that’s the most fulfilling thing about my job — and this career gives me the opportunity to help people,” says Dr. Ryan Garner, ’20, a pharmacist at Quality Care Pharmacy in Pinehurst, North Carolina. How drugs treat diseases in different parts of the body and how they pass the blood-brain barrier fascinates Garner. “Treating a disease state is like solving a puzzle. It’s neat to put it all together and understand,” he says. Garner knows he’s valued because patients have told him, “I trust you more than my doctor. Because my

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“At first, some have said they wanted absolutely nothing to do with hospitals when they graduate, but when they realize what we do and how we do it in a multidisciplinary team, a surprising number change their minds and want to work in a hospital,” Burroughs says.

Employers Appreciate HPU Pharmacists

Dr. Amanda Dubil, a clinical pharmacist at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, will always remember how her HPU students rose to the occasion when she had to suddenly open a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in a movie theater.

Premier life skills experiences are a core component for every HPU major and academic school. Preceptors throughout North Carolina say HPU students rank among the best they supervise.

“I was impressed with how they rolled with the punches,” she says, calling them “servant-leaders” because they wiped down chairs when there was downtime, cleaned and asked if there was more they could do.

doctor sees so many other people, I get more time with you.”

“They are second to none,” says Dr. Sean Burroughs, the director of pharmacy at the Watauga Medical Center in Boone, North Carolina. “I’ve been very impressed with their knowledge base. They are sharp, well prepared and professional.” Students get real-world training in community and hospital pharmacies in their IPPE, the Introductory Pharmacy Practices Experience Program, which spans their four years as a doctor of pharmacy candidate. “That was when everything became more real,” recalls Garner.

Students are surprised by how much impact they can have on patients and how much time they can spend with them. They take admission medication histories and listen to patients’ concerns. If patients are lonely, they can spend time cheering them up. “HPU really does a good job,” adds Dr. Ahunna Freeman, owner and pharmacist at South Side Pharmacy in Winston Salem, North Carolina. “I precept for another school, and when HPU students come on rotations, I can always tell who they are. They’re professional, eager to learn new

things, and ready to apply what they learned in class.”

Small Classes, Major Resources Life skills training meets hard science in HPU’s pharmacy school, which puts a “heavy emphasis” on medicinal chemistry, according to Stafford. “Understanding how and why medications go to certain brain receptors is truly a heavy portion of what we do here,” says Stafford. The close-knit community in HPU’s pharmacy school played a key role when Makenzie Brockel, ’23, decided to attend. “My graduating class is such a small group compared to class sizes at other schools,” says the Neptune, New Jersey native. “The program and its experiences are so personal and so connected to your professors and real-world experiences; I don’t think you could get it anywhere else.” Other pharmacy schools have as many as 150 students per graduating class, while HPU only has about 65 per class. What’s more, every incoming student is assigned a faculty advisor, and each teacher only mentors a dozen students. “It’s a family atmosphere here,” says Stafford. “We get to know our students. That’s one of the things we pride ourselves on.” Hess agrees. “HPU has created a program that’s the best for success for anyone from any walk of life,” she says. “If you put in the hard work, you’ll have every sector covered — the pharmacy, pharmacotherapy and science aspects and soft skills. My preceptor told me HPU students are the best he’s ever had because we know how to talk to people. We’re compassionate. We care.”

A Pharmacy Grad’s Powerful Perspective By Dr. Ramiel Ngeve, ’20 Clinical Pharmacist in Emergency Medicine at UNC REX Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina

The quality of the education you’ll receive and the relationships you’ll create in HPU’s pharmacy school set it apart from others. HPU faculty are very established, and that makes networking, research and clinical experience so much easier. I originally wanted to be a retail pharmacist so I’d be on the first line of clinical defense. That trajectory changed during my IPPE (Introductory Pharmacy Practices Experience). I worked in a hospital and became interested in oncology and emergency medicine. Whatever path you choose, HPU’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy will make you an expert on acute medications, including those that treat and stabilize chronic disease states. You’ll learn how to ensure patients safely receive their course of medications without problems arising. You’ll learn how to be the bridge between diagnosticians and patients. These are vital roles when it comes to ensuring the quality of patient care. As a student, I did not enjoy cardiology. But Dr. Julie Cooper, associate professor of clinical sciences, helped me. She offered her time and resources to make sure I grasped its concepts. Now cardiology is a main area of my practice. Because of her persistence, constant encouragement and expertise, I turned around what I struggled with as a student. The resources and professors at HPU transformed one of my weaknesses into a major strength. If you’re focused and ambitious, you can take advantage of the resources at HPU’s pharmacy school. You’ll help others and have a great career thanks to your experience here.

The resources and professors at HPU transformed one of my weaknesses into a major strength.” Dr. Ramiel Ngeve, ’20, Clinical Pharmacist

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FILLING A NEED IN

Dentistry Learn how North Carolina’s only private dental school will prepare the next generation of dental health leaders.

opportunity. The distinction of doing it at a place like HPU under the leadership of President Nido Qubein and his executive team is really a dream come true.

Dr. Scott De Rossi can see it.

Q: H ow will the dental school provide students with premier life skills experiences?

As the founding dean of High Point University’s School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health, he pictures a gleaming new academic facility, the equipment it will include and the competitive students who will call it home. De Rossi is turning that vision into reality as he builds the foundation for one of the most distinctive dental schools in the country. In less than a year after High Point University announced it will establish North Carolina’s only private dental school, De Rossi has hired faculty, achieved milestones in the accreditation process and helped establish HPU’s Oral Health Network, which will offer clinical sites for dentistry students. He’s even started recruiting a high-level group of students for an accelerated two+four-year program that will begin their HPU journey this fall. In this Q&A, De Rossi reveals exciting, behind-thescenes developments as HPU’s 10th academic school takes shape.

Q: W hat attracted you to become founding dean for the School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health? Being a dental dean is a tremendous honor as there are only 68 in the U.S. Being a founding dean is an incredibly unique privilege, and helping to start and grow a dental medicine school is a once-in-a-lifetime

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Our curriculum will leverage haptic simulation, which is a combination of virtual and augmented reality, along with high-fidelity technology. We are building an innovative and integrated curriculum that will, most importantly, provide early and comprehensive exposure to team-based care. Because our practice model will embed students into settings such as community colleges, federal qualified health clinics and community-based practices, we’re readying our students for the way the world will be and the way dental practice is evolving.

Q: W hat do you love most about working at HPU? I think this is a place that lives its values — values that I share. Many schools and organizations talk about values, but that’s where it ends for them. Not HPU. There is something uniquely special about this place, our programs and the people of HPU.

Q: W hat are your priorities as you build this new program? The word “build” is a good one — building accreditation documents, building a curriculum, building programs, building a faculty and building a building! The priority is to create a program that puts those who need our care at the center of everything we do. My priority is to ensure every decision will be made through that lens.

Q: H ow will you help students develop life skills that they will use to achieve lives of success and significance after they graduate from HPU? I want to help our students succeed inside the classroom, in clinics and beyond. Even more important, we want them to succeed in whatever path they choose. We are designing a contemporary, flexible and agile curriculum to ensure that HPU graduates are prepared for the future of oral health care. They will be nimble health professionals ready to adapt to changing demographics of disease, innovative technologies and ever-emerging models of health care delivery. We will graduate caring professionals who will promote better health.

Q: W hat motivates you most about educating the world’s future dentists? We know that future oral health professionals will not just be competing locally or across the nation. They will be competing in a global arena. The continued globalization of health care will be demanding, competitive, turbulent, complex and uncertain. I am motivated to prepare our students in every way, to render value and to advance better health locally and globally in an ever-changing world.

Q: H ow do you contribute to HPU’s mission to ensure every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people? Every person and program on this campus needs to hold this mission near and dear. Those three pillars are so interconnected, and our School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health will be no exception in advancing that mission. Our students will get a dental education second to none. The addition of a health profession school like dentistry will enhance the already inspiring environment at HPU.

Q: W hat’s one thing you want students and parents to know? Learning is all about growth, and there is an aweinspiring growth mindset in HPU’s institutional DNA. While the campus growth has been impressive, the real story to me is the collaborative and innovative environment that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset. Some universities talk about being aspirational, bold and fearless, but HPU lives and executes it at the highest level. Parents and students alike need to know they are getting a preeminent education that will prepare them for the future world of work.

HPU Alumna Joins Dental Faculty You can hear Dr. Jazmin Cromartie’s enthusiasm when she talks about her alma mater. “Professors at HPU are phenomenal,” Cromartie said during Fall 2021 Homecoming Weekend, when she participated in a panel where alumni offered career insight to current students. “Dr. Kelly Sapp was my biology professor and my advisor, and she continued supporting me after I graduated from HPU and completed graduate school. Keep those relationships with your HPU professors going after you graduate. They’ll be there for you.” Cromartie is unique. She is an HPU alumna, a practicing dentist and one of the first official faculty members in High Point University’s School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health. Cromartie earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from HPU in 2013. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in intercultural services in health care from Wake Forest University, and she earned both her Doctor of Dental Medicine and Advanced Education in General Dentistry Certificate with distinction from East Carolina University. “I am extremely excited to return to HPU and assist in building the foundation for the School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health,” said Cromartie. “HPU is where my pursuit to become a dentist all began as an undergraduate student, so I am deeply honored to come aboard as inaugural faculty.” As an assistant professor of general dentistry, she will assist in the development of clinical manuals, including those to be used in faculty calibration, competency assessment and accreditation. She will advise students in different specialties of dentistry and supervise clinical sites. She will also advise pre-dental students and be a resource to students seeking to learn more about the dental profession. “I am excited to contribute my energy, passion and expertise to provide an extraordinary experience for every patient, student, resident and faculty member.”

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GRADUATE HEALTH PROGRAMS

Grow

HPU will offer more master’s and doctoral degrees to prepare the health care leaders of tomorrow. In the last decade, HPU has established professional health care programs that produce the kind of providers the world needs more than ever.

This fall, HPU will welcome the first cohort of students for these programs:

That includes physician assistants, pharmacists and physical therapists.

• Master of Biomedical Sciences (in person)

In 2021, graduate programs in athletic training, physical therapy and physician assistant studies all received 100% pass rates for their respective national board exams, while the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy achieved full accreditation from the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). And they’ve positioned HPU graduates into important roles, especially during the global pandemic. In 2022, HPU’s trajectory in highly competitive graduate programs continues.

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• Doctor of Medical Science (virtual for full-time professionals) • Master of Health Care Administration (virtual for full-time professionals) • MBA (virtual for full-time professionals) • MBA Business Analytics (virtual for full-time professionals) • MBA Health Care Management (virtual for full-time professionals) As HPU also welcomes its inaugural cohort of students for the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing this fall, the university will establish a School of Nursing in the future that offers graduate degrees, such as a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia.

degrees will be offered virtually for health care professionals who work full time and are interested in furthering their careers, such as seeking leadership positions within a health care organization. These represent HPU’s first-ever fully online degrees, as well as the first-ever Doctor of Medical Science degree based in North Carolina. The Doctor of Medical Science degree specifically provides the next level of education for practicing physician assistants who are looking to advance their careers.

Health Care Graduate Programs Several new health care graduate degree programs are launching within the Congdon School of Health Sciences. Dr. Linda Sekhon, who originally served as the founding chair for the university’s successful Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program, became the founding chair of HPU’s Department of Medical Science in 2021. Within the department, Sekhon is working to build the Doctor of Medical Science degree, for which she serves as program director. Dr. Kristin Ackerman, who has served as assistant professor of biology at HPU since 2015, has been selected as program director for the Master of Biomedical Sciences degree. Dr. Scott W. Goodspeed is chairing the Master of Health Care Administration degree. The three programs will enroll their first cohorts this fall. The Master of Biomedical Sciences Program will be in person and provide advancement in the research and biomedical fields. The Doctor of Medical Science and Master of Health Care Administration

“This doctoral degree is designed for certified PAs who are out there working, so flexibility with online education is essential, especially as they are still on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Sekhon. “Obtaining this doctoral degree ensures the recipient can provide continued quality patient care with added upward mobility. PAs are already at the table when it comes to making health care decisions that positively impact patient care, but this will help them contribute more.”

MBA Program Transitions to Online Similarly, HPU’s graduate-level business programs, one of which focuses on health care management, are undergoing enhancements. To empower and provide flexibility for full-time working professionals who want to advance their careers, HPU’s MBA programs will transition to an online format in fall 2022. HPU’s MBA programs are built on a leadership core with experiential electives and the opportunity to specialize in business analytics, supply chain management and health care management. These concentrations represent fields with high demand, empowering students

to craft a degree that will meet their professional goals and further their success. These programs offer an optional accelerated path to be completed within 10-12 months. Close interaction from professors and exclusive access to industry leaders will remain a foundational element as these programs transition to online curriculum. Several of HPU’s inresidence faculty will provide sessions exclusively for MBA students, including David Horsager, CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute and HPU’s Trust Expert in Residence; Mark Sanborn, president of Sanborn & Associates, a leadership development idea lab, and HPU’s Leadership Expert in Residence; and Larry Quinn, chair of marketing and sales, and HPU’s Sales Professional in Residence. Each MBA program also provides a congruent pathway for HPU’s physical therapy and pharmacy doctoral students. These students can pursue both degrees at the same time and complete their education with two graduate-level degrees. “This transition will allow students to balance the demands of their busy lives while furthering their educational and career goals,” says Dr. Daniel Hall, dean for the Phillips School of Business. “High Point University is regularly recognized for its business programs. Our faculty will still work on campus and will continue to offer engaging, personal interactions with students, such as the ability to schedule on-campus, in-person meetings with students. We will also provide students interaction and networking opportunities with their peers, faculty and global leaders ‘outside of the classroom’ through a virtual MBA campus. Our program is virtual, but the engagement is real!”

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PURSUING EXCELLENCE

IN THE ARTS

From visual merchandising and interior design to studio art, theater and music, students craft creative careers inside the David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design.

You’re driven, committed and talented. You’re an artist. You’ve always known it. Now your question is, “How do I achieve excellence?” Excellent performance. Excellent design. An excellent piece. HPU’s David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design houses a range of artistic majors, each offering their own signature experiences. “We’ll start you on your journey — whether it’s finding your personal expressive voice or a route to a graduate program,” says Dr. John Turpin, the school’s dean. “We’re nimble. We’ll work with your goals. We’ll help you get set for what you want to do in life.” The following five stories showcase a few of the many opportunities that bring students’ artistic dreams to life.

Interior Design’s Real-World Immersion Imagine this assignment: Fully redesign four interior

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spaces in a historic Georgian Revival-style house and follow code requirements. The design area includes the lobby, library, living room and sunroom. This semester-long project divides seniors into teams of three. Using AutoCAD and Revit (both are building design software used heavily in the industry), teams do space planning and select furnishings, finishes, room partitions and lighting. “It was one of the most exciting projects I’ve done,” says junior Alexis Haas of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. “We visited the site in nearby Winston-Salem, took pictures and measurements, and made a presentation to the owner. We conquered the project.” “One of the unique things about this major is it requires students to toggle between their left and right brains,” says Dr. Jane Nichols, chair of Home Furnishings and Interior Design. “It takes creativity, logic and analysis. The sort of student we’re looking for has an open mind about what the discipline is. It’s much broader than what they expect. If they’re willing

The High Point Market, the world’s premier design and furniture exhibition, is held twice a year just down the street from HPU. There, students find premier life skills experiences that enhance their resume and career opportunities.

to go along for the ride, we’ll make it a journey for them.”

Interior Design Accreditation, and has a 100% placement rate.

This odyssey includes the twice-ayear High Point Market, the world’s premier design and furniture exhibition. Located just down the street from HPU, students find more premier life skills experiences that enhance their resume and career opportunities.

From Campus to Kate Spade HPU’s fashion merchandising degree blends business and creative skills, and students learn what happens when profits and pricing meet buttons and bows.

“It gets students in front of industry leaders,” says Nichols. “They learn life skills by meeting buyers and talking to designers. They can start freshman year.”

“Students might end up becoming buyers, stylists or trend analysts, or they might go into visual merchandising, brand management, e-commerce or help develop new product lines,” according to Nichols.

HPU’s interior design program is approved by CIDA, the Council for

An internship is not only essential to students’ growth but also

required in the program. Current students have landed at Kate Spade, Nordstrom, Diane von Furstenberg, Oscar De La Renta, Neiman Marcus and Anthropologie. Senior Faye Lynch is interning with Marie Oliver, a Greensboro-based women’s apparel retailer. “They’ve asked me to stay another semester, and hopefully it will lead to a job,” says the Staten Island, New York native. Lynch gained confidence making presentations in her visual merchandising studio class. She also created a window display for the School of Arts and Design.

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‘Maker Mentality’ Thrives in Studio Art Use the Mac digital art lab. Focus your creative lens with a camera. Push paint around canvases. Above all else — mold your future. That’s literally true for Macy McFerren. Her medium is clay.

“HPU has given me opportunities that no other school would have,” says Lynch.

Lights, Hustle, Action You can be Sally Bowles from “Cabaret,” Tom Joad from “The Grapes of Wrath,” or Rosalind from “As You Like It.” Most of all, in HPU’s Department of Theatre, you’ll be challenged. Students dive into all aspects of theater production — not just acting — from “day one,” according to theater professor Jay Putnam. “Freshmen have a theater boot camp, and then we’re off to the races. We’ll teach you how to show up prepared and ready to dive into the making of a piece of art,” says Putnam, a playwright who has directed productions of “The Seagull,” “Sleuth” and “Dracula,” and who serves on the board of the North Carolina Theatre Conference. Choose between a focus on performance, design and tech, or collaborative theater. Whichever route you take, you’ll be required to work in the scene shop, lighting shop, costume shop and run follow spotlights that highlight a featured actor. You may find yourself in rehearsals five nights a week — “a wonderful

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juggling act of time management,” says Putnam. “There are tons of different opportunities for students,” says sophomore Madelyn Mudd. She played Andy Paris in “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later” and has learned how to hang lights and studied directing. “You might come in as a performer and find out you’re better at being a stage manager, director or costume designer.” If tech’s your thing, the 550-seat Pauline Theatre offers the latest gear. Portable dimmers, eight moving lights and a full LED downwash make lighting super flexible. Audiovisual highlights include four permanent cameras and an eight-camera switcher. PBS and ABC have recorded statewide and national TV shows here. The theater program has a company mentality. Be with 40 people in a room on tech day and feel the unity in creating art together. “We teach ground rules about how to work with other artists,” says Putnam. “Sometimes it’s something as simple as ‘15 minutes early is on time.’ A lot of former students have said learning rules like that served them well in the real world. Our graduates are competitive. They know how to do the work.”

“I like to get my hands a little messy,” says the junior from Bel Air, Maryland. “I got into the art program here and absolutely fell in love and felt loved.” “When I came here, I was very timid,” adds McFerren, a double major in studio art and entrepreneurship. “My professor helped me figure out what I want my style to be. He’s inspired me. HPU has allowed me to find out who I am as an artist. It’s given me the confidence to know I’m capable of more than what I think I am.” Art students learn collaboration and business skills. They work in HPU’s Sechrest Gallery promoting and marketing shows. They negotiate decisions about which pieces get displayed and how. “It’s no longer just about your work,” says Turpin. “It’s about other people’s work, too. You learn there can be a dialogue about art. It

HPU students have contributed to national and statewide productions recorded by PBS and ABC inside the Hayworth Fine Arts Center.

makes students understand and think about the messaging, placement and lighting of art.” HPU’s visual arts program is accredited by NASAD, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. HPU is North Carolina’s only private school that meets NASAD’s demanding standards regarding the quality of faculty, curriculum, finances and facilities.

Molding Musical Leaders Their motto: Music has the power to change and transform lives. Dr. Marc Foster, music chair, often shares this statement, and it’s evident that students and faculty believe it. It’s why they put care into the music they create, perform and teach. “Before I was even a student, I knew the music department and faculty would be amazing,” says Henry Heydinger, ’22, a voice major from Dewy Rose, Georgia. “During my voice lesson for auditions, I received feedback that completely changed the way I sing. I thought, if professors can do that in a five-minute audition, imagine what could be done in four years.” Students can get involved through a number of instrumental or vocal ensembles that perform frequent concerts and at major events. Heydinger works with his professors to gain hands-on experience as an assistant conductor. He also had the opportunity to conduct the performance of “Carol of the Bells” for HPU’s national ABC special, “A Serenade for Shepherds.” “Conducting for the special was an amazing opportunity and a great moment of personal achievement,” says Heydinger. “Working every day with Dr. Foster and our choirs to get to a place where we could perform with such a high level of excellence was a profound experience.”

A Dream Career at By Abbey Phalen, ’17

Graphic Design Major and Spanish Minor from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

It’s hard not to fall in love with High Point University, where the HPU family has done such a beautiful job of continually transforming. That’s the most important thing about HPU – it’s driven to continually innovate. I graduated from HPU in 2017, and now I’m the executive communications manager for Disney Signature Experiences. We oversee Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and Adventures by Disney. Innovating is a huge theme for us. It was a natural progression for me to graduate from HPU and launch a career with Disney because our core values are very similar. It’s 100% accurate that HPU is The Premier Life Skills University. I arrived at HPU with an interest in drawing. I left with a roadmap of how to turn my creativity into a career. As a student, I scored an internship as a junior designer for the Boston Bruins, where I helped create all kinds of things, including a souvenir cup that my mom used to proudly tell people, “My daughter made this.” I held leadership positions in clubs on campus, including the Peer Mentor Program, Kappa Delta Sorority, the Spanish Honor Society and more. My professors prepared me for what it’s like to be in a full-time job. I learned print design, videography, photography and how to use Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. When I was a freshman, I had no idea how to use that stuff, and now I use them every minute of every day. My classes made me a more well-rounded job candidate. Job descriptions ask for specific things — Can you do layout design? Are you familiar with typography? Can you design in print and video? You need to be able to do all of them to make yourself stand out. HPU prepared me to confidently say, “Yes, I can do all of those things.”

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THE PROVEN POWER OF HPU’S Humanities Real-world experiences are the launching point for students in the School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences. 42

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Where will High Point University’s School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences take you? Aleah Hayes, ’22, a double major in philosophy and psychology, knows.

through her service-learning class called The Morality of Globalization; and served a twoyear stint as president of the HPU Volunteer Center, a campus entity that fosters student engagement with the community.

She’s built stoves for underprivileged communities on a service trip to Guatemala; tutored a local, Spanish-speaking student

Hayes, from Harrisburg, North Carolina, says her time at HPU has offered a series of valuable hands-on learning opportunities.

Now, she’s applying to graduate schools and pursuing a career as a school psychologist.

Aleah Hayes, ’22, is pursuing a career as a school psychologist.

“From the moment I arrived at HPU, I found the environment incredibly welcoming,” Hayes recalls. “I quickly realized that this university would help me become the leader I want to be.” That’s the outcome and the experience that Ken Elston, dean of the School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, and faculty are unequivocally committed to.

The Proof is in the Outcomes “Faculty members use interactive, hands-on learning to connect with students and put them in the mindset to be successful in college and take responsibility for their learning experience,” says Elston. The journeys of Hayes and other students like Katy Parisi, ’22, are two such examples. Parisi is the president of the Student Government Association and similarly enthusiastic about her time at HPU. “I’m from California and toured High Point University late in the college selection process, but as soon as I arrived on campus, I fell in love,” she says. “I saw the resources available to students and immediately felt the sense of community on campus. I could tell that the faculty were really interested in seeing me succeed and helping me be the best version of myself.” Parisi has stretched her professional and academic growth repeatedly over the past four years. In addition to leading SGA, she’s traveled to the state capital to lobby lawmakers on important issues, and she’s interned at a law firm, where she now works full time.

The “magic-is-in-the-mix” mentality has proven to be real for Parisi. While she graduates in May with a strategic communication degree, she also has a list of minors — public and professional writing, political science, and social media marketing — along with a host of experiential learning under her belt. That couldn’t have happened without the ability to study in multiple academic schools on HPU’s campus, including the School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences. “HPU does an excellent job of teaching practice as well as theory,” she says. “You’re actually getting hands-on experiences in your classes rather than just studying ideas, which is huge.” The opportunity to experience failure and then learn to recover is also irreplaceable, Parisi says. “It gives you so much selfconfidence.” Looking back on her in-class experiences, Parisi cites her

Strategic Communication Campaigns course with Dr. Brandon Lenoir, a former Washington, D.C., lobbyist who works with communication and political science majors, as among the most impactful. “During the course, we developed, branded and presented a formula to fund public education in North Carolina to the state legislature,” she says. “It was fascinating to do actual advocacy work and see firsthand what it means to be a lobbyist. The course allowed me to apply so much of what I had learned in classes for my major and my minors.” Parisi says serving as SGA president has been the most impactful learning experience of all. “Working with and leading other students, collaborating with administrators — all of it has taught me so much about relationships, effective communication and empathy,” she says. “It’s without a doubt the most rewarding and most difficult job I’ve ever done.”

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High-Tech Criminal Justice Lab

“The role teaches you what it means to have ‘figure-it-out’ skills and to be an effective communicator,” she continues. “One of my biggest weaknesses is delegation, but I’ve learned that teams work well when all voices are equally heard. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness students feeling seen and acknowledged.”

High Point University provides a variety of life skills learning labs throughout its campus, from the Tilley Trading Room that includes a real-time stock ticker to a state-ofart TV studio. One of the newest additions to campus is the Criminal Justice Lab,

Katy Parisi, ’22, is originally from San Ramon, California. She served as president for HPU’s Student Government Association during the 2021-2022 academic year.

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an on-campus crime lab that’s nearly 10,000 square feet and offers students the rare opportunity for first-hand learning in every aspect of the criminal justice process. The learning process begins within the lab’s five new Mock Crime Scene Rooms, where student investigators can work on a variety of realistically staged incidents such as robbery, burglary and homicide. From there, students collect findings for the new Evidence Processing Room to learn evidence analysis techniques. Then it’s on to the lab’s Law Enforcement Tactical Areas to learn police procedures, such as suspect interviewing techniques, search and arrest warrant preparation, and agent/officer safety techniques. Having made a mock arrest, students will move to the lab’s formal Courtroom to learn all the

stages of a criminal trial and receive hands-on experience regarding jury selection, opening statements, presentation of evidence and witnesses, crossexamination, closing summaries and more. The newly expanded criminal justice major will also contribute significant coursework and lab activities to two new HPU interdisciplinary minors in forensic and legal studies. “It is highly unusual for a single university to offer a criminal justice major with such a broad range of experiential learning opportunities in a new and unique laboratory such as ours,” says Dr. Bobby Little, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice. “Our combination of classroom and lab activities is intentionally tailored to build students’ specific justice-related skills, which will help them assemble exceptional, highly distinctive resumes and land successful and rewarding employment opportunities.” Elston knows that criminal justice students, as well as many others in the school, quickly realize the benefits of their HPU education. “Our learning outcomes are widespread,” he says. “We want our students to become acquainted with the larger arc of life and pay attention to that which makes us human, and we help them explore how to do that in ways that are both satisfying and successful. “A liberal arts education goes beyond classes,” concludes Elston. “It’s about becoming an individual and figuring out how you will contribute to the world.”

Dreaming Big in D.C. Anne Davey, ’16, channeled her political science and international relations majors into a governmental affairs career in the nation’s capital. As Associate Director of Federal Affairs for the U.S.-based investment and insurance company The Hartford, Anne Davey represents the company’s interests in all relevant federal legislation and regulations. It’s a role the 20-something-year-old insists she would not have been ready for without High Point University. “To be engaging with lawmakers and administrative officials at my age is really remarkable,” says the 2016 graduate from Southold, New York. “I’m certain I would not have been able to realize the success I have without the education and experience I received at HPU.” As an undergraduate, Davey majored in political science and international relations while minoring in finance and global commerce. She leveraged HPU’s experiential learning opportunities to maximum advantage, conducting campaign outreach for a Senate candidate and working in constituent services in the office of the late U.S. Representative Howard Coble. She also benefited from the course Power and Politics in D.C., which concluded with a study abroad opportunity in the nation’s capital. “I met important individuals, including many alumni, from across the political spectrum through that course,” she recalls. “The experience gave me a sense of where I could go with my degree.” Now Davey is paying it forward by connecting with other HPU students who want to know what it’s like to work in Washington, D.C. She also returned to campus during the Fall 2021 HPU Homecoming Weekend and participated in an alumni panel, where current students connected with HPU graduates leading impressive careers. “Anne was a great student,” says Dr. Martin Kifer, chair of the Department of Political Science. “We are impressed by her achievements and grateful she now speaks with our students in the Power and Politics course.” “High Point University does a great job of putting you in places where you wouldn’t otherwise have been, enabling you to interact with politicians, high-level executives and the like,” Davey concludes. “The classes are small, and professors expect you to engage. I got a ton out of my classes, both in terms of content and in terms of public speaking and writing — both skills that I now use regularly. HPU prepares you to succeed.” A C A D E M I C I N N O VAT I O N

HPU’s

Advantage IN THE SCIENCES

In the Wanek School of Natural Sciences and across campus, undergraduates accomplish more in four years than many students at major research universities. Ask Dr. Brian Augustine, chemistry department chair, why students thrive in the Wanek School of Natural Sciences, and he gives a straightforward answer: “Close interaction and mentoring with faculty in all departments, access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and many opportunities for undergraduate research.” Put in scientific terms, the formula is Mentoring + Advanced Tools + Hands-On Learning Opportunities = Success. At HPU, “early and often” is a theme implemented in every quadrant of campus, including scientific research. While most schools require students to wait until they’re upperclassmen to conduct compelling research, HPU students can begin as early as their freshman year. Then, they can optimize all four years to gain personalized, professional training, most notably by contributing to cutting-edge research guided by professors, often on projects funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA or other globally recognized organizations. For a school that houses majors in biology, chemistry,

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biochemistry, neuroscience and physics, the opportunities for successful careers and graduate school paths are endless. Here are a few examples.

Achieving More in Four Years Senior Sadie Flagg began assisting a professor as a freshman. “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get involved in research right away. I thought, ‘There’s no way they’d allow that,’” recalls this biochemistry major from Hanover, Virginia. HPU surprised her again when freshman year ended, and the faculty accepted her into the on-campus Summer Research Program in the Sciences (SuRPS). It included eight weeks of intensive research that gave her a stipend and free room and board on campus. She and Augustine studied the molecular structure of nanoporous films made of plexiglass with the goal of finding new commercial applications. Their joint research continued for the next three years. “It was an unheard-of opportunity,” says Flagg, who was one of only three college students in the state to receive the 2021 George T. Barthalmus Research Award. “HPU is committed to making sure we gain relevant experience in our fields of study.”

From left to right are senior Ashley King; Dr. Meghan Blackledge, associate professor of chemistry; and senior Maggie Mauer conducting research in High Point University’s Wanek School of Natural Sciences. Blackledge helped her students examine biofilms as a part of their summer research project.

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HPU students worked with Dr. Brad Barlow, associate professor of astrophysics, discovering and studying star systems. All the data comes from the satellite TESS, pictured here in HPU’s Culp Planetarium. From left to right are senior Isaac Parker; Barlow; senior Caden Sanchez; and senior Jack Munn.

Mentorship Matters Senior Clara Primus became a “thought partner” with Dr. Veronica Segarra, biology chair. They have co-authored published papers on diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM education. “She’s a great support system for me,” Primus says about Segarra. “I know she’ll give me honest feedback and do everything in her power to make my projects successful.” Primus, a biology major whose minor is civic responsibility and social innovation, also played a major role in running HPU’s Mobile Science Lab. The bus is a science experiment on wheels that conducts on-site visits to local K-12 schools. After Primus graduates, she’ll pursue a physician assistant degree, with a goal to work in an emergency room. Sophomore Hannah Smith coauthored a paper with Segarra on autophagy (cellular self-eating) in yeast.

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The research involved mutating cells by altering their genes and could lead to advances in fighting cancer and other human diseases. “This will set me apart from other students when I go to graduate school,” says the Holmes, Pennsylvania native, who plans to pursue a career in cancer research.

Tools for Top-Tier Outcomes Advanced instrumentation also plays a key role in students’ success. Electron, fluorescence and atomic force microscopes are available to students in the Materials and Microscopy Lab. “A lot of universities don’t have atomic force microscopes,” says Flagg. “It’s my main workhorse, because it lets me see things on a nanoscale — nearly a billionth of a meter.” Rebecca Ulrich, ’18, might not be where she is now without the tools she had at her command at HPU. A recipient of a highly competitive National Science Foundation fellowship, she’s a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Illinois-Champaign.

“I absolutely had access to all the equipment in the department,” says the biochemistry major. At HPU, she researched compounds that reverse antibiotic resistance in the bacteria MRSA (methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus). That type of experience isn’t always common at big state schools. “As an undergrad at HPU, I collected the data on my own research project,” says Ulrich. “I wrote it up. I presented it, and I published it. It was my project.”

The HPU Difference The bottom line, according to Dean Brett Woods: “I’ve worked at multiple institutions of higher learning, and hands down I’ve never worked at a place like HPU, where the faculty are as committed to students as they are here, and the facility is equipped with this breadth and depth of technology.” Consider where this combination of mentorship and cutting-edge technology takes students.

Physics students in observational astronomy explore the heavens using four research-grade, 1-meter class telescopes in Chile. They also have the opportunity to travel to Australia and Spain for occultation observations of asteroids being studied by a NASA space probe. Chemistry students have liquid and gas chromatography mass spectrometers, a highperformance liquid chromatography device, a fluorometer, an X-ray instrument, a gel permutation chromatography system, lasers, and a microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy instrument. The crown jewel is an NMR, a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance instrument (known as an MRI in medical settings where it is used for diagnostic purposes).

From HPU to By Sam Mycroft, ’21

Physics Major, Computer Science Minor, from Asheville, North Carolina

When I was looking at colleges, I spent extra time visiting HPU. I thought I’d only spend an hour or two there, but I ended up canceling my next day’s events to stay longer.

The same instrumentation is found at major research universities, but there’s an HPU advantage.

I sat in on one of Dr. Aaron Titus’ physics classes. He had a great way of connecting with students. He showed me I could thrive here.

“As an undergrad, you’d look in a window and see graduate students using these instruments,” says Augustine. “At those schools, you’d never — unless you are a rare student — learn how to use these sorts of instrumentations, but HPU students begin using them as freshmen.”

As an HPU student, I became captain of the Rocketry Club. It includes students from multiple STEM disciplines. We competed every year at the Spaceport America Cup, the world’s largest intercollegiate rocketry competition.

“We provide students with high-stake opportunities,” adds Segarra. “We give our students real work, and they rise to the occasion.”

Our 13-foot, single-stage M-class rocket carried its 8.8-pound payload to an altitude of 9,800 feet. Our payloads conducted hydrostatic experiments, and we considered doing a muon detection experiment.

“

As an undergrad at HPU, I collected the data on my own research project. I wrote it up. I presented it, and I published it. It was my project.” Rebecca Ulrich,

’18, Chemistry Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Illinois-Champaign

It was a great way to apply the physics we were learning to something hands-on. Everything on our rockets was student researched and developed, including the internal hardware, detonation systems, ignitions, fuel and engines. Chemistry majors focused on the propellant. Physics students built the nozzles and containment vessels. It was collaborative and pretty cool. Today, I’m a test and integration engineer at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California. I write software and build hardware we use to test components that fly on satellite vehicles. HPU science professors genuinely care that you succeed in class and find your passion. They’ll make sure you graduate prepared to apply what you learned to something you can do the rest of your life.

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Conscientious

CONTINUOUS LEARNING Dr. Nasir Assar is the director of HPU’s Master of Business Administration Program, which brings together students from across the country to participate in its new online learning model.

can apply in professional work environments, and the coursework covers a variety of topics from sales to negotiation and leadership.

Assar is an associate professor of economics in the Phillips School of Business, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses. He also oversees HPU’s Master of Business Administration Program.

His students know that he genuinely cares and provides them with every opportunity and tool possible for them to shine. This happens on a campus that is extraordinary, caring and inspiring.

His areas of concentration are economics, finance, quantitative analysis and business analytics. He advises students in their academic endeavors, trains faculty and develops curriculum.

“Dr. Assar has, undoubtedly, been one of the most thoughtful and friendly professors I have had the opportunity to work with during my time at HPU,” says Dakota Tameling, ’22, a finance major who will be working with JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Chicago, Illinois, following graduation.

“I am excited to be a part of a team of prestigious faculty and to bring my 30 years of business experience to our students who are eager to learn and become the leaders of tomorrow,” says Assar. As the MBA program director, he has worked diligently to migrate the MBA program to an online learning environment to make it even more accessible to graduate students across the nation. The program may be virtual, but its engagement is very real. The program offers a practical, skills-based curriculum managers

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Assar has lived his life practicing this mantra from Theodore Roosevelt: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

“He is thoughtful both inside and outside of class. He asks thoughtful questions, encourages his students and makes his classes applicable and fascinating. He is always eager to share, offer insight and incorporate his experience into our classroom discussion.” To Assar, it’s about more than just teaching. It’s about embodying the mindset of continuous learning. He encourages students to read life-changing books and to engage

in university-wide organizations and clubs to enhance their communication skills. “I encourage my students to seek the help and knowledge of those who have done great things in their life,” says Assar. “Internships, assisting with faculty research and hands-on education help students build professional skills and apply what they are learning in the college classroom to real-world situations.” His students are the better for it. They land internships, get jobs, attend impressive graduate schools and leave HPU’s MBA Program ready to take on the world. It’s professors like Assar that make all the difference in a college student’s education.

Dr. Assar is thoughtful both inside and outside of class. He asks thoughtful questions, encourages his students and makes his classes applicable and fascinating.” Dakota Tameling,

’22, Finance Major Rotational Analyst Program at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

ENGAGING

FUTURE ENGINEERS

Meet a trailblazer inside HPU’s Webb School of Engineering. Q: What do you love most about working at HPU? I love the emphasis on the students! I’ve worked in a variety of areas, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority and the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. I’ve also done research and publication. But for me, the most important thing I can do with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering is teach and guide students. For engineers, it’s very rare to have the opportunity to focus on that, but it’s what I feel called to do and what I can do here at HPU.

Dr. Claire McCullough is the founding chair of electrical and computer engineering. In her role, she works with Dr. Michael Oudshoorn, founding dean of the Webb School of Engineering, to establish and deliver the full engineering curriculum. This includes developing courses and labs, guiding physical renovation of lab spaces, purchasing lab equipment, hiring faculty and guiding the accreditation process. In addition to overseeing the curriculum, she also teaches and guides students, including the first engineering majors who joined HPU in 2019. McCullough believes that the quality of the courses and equipment HPU provides to students, in addition to the strong life skills emphasis, give HPU students an advantage in their professional lives that most engineering students will not have. Get to know more about McCullough and the Webb School of Engineering through this Q&A.

Q: H ow do you contribute to HPU’s mission to ensure every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people? Our engineering programs give students hands-on experience in every engineering class. We provide opportunities to apply all that they learn and truly understand the significance. We also have a personal relationship with our students and strive to help them grow personally and professionally.

Q: W hat’s one thing you want students and parents to know? We are laser focused on the success of our students. Larger state schools must emphasize other areas such as research funding to be successful, but our sole concern is students becoming the best versions of themselves. To me, that is a large part of what makes HPU extraordinary!

Q: H ow do you help students develop life skills that they will use to achieve lives of success and significance after they graduate? The technical engineering education they receive here will help them to succeed professionally. Engineering is a great living, but it isn’t the sum of one’s life. By helping our students learn to speak well, to write well, to evaluate and understand material they read, to understand the historical and societal context of the profession, and to truly grasp the ethical implications of their profession, we prepare them to create a positive impact.

Q: W hat is a way you provide students with experiential learning opportunities? Almost every aspect of engineering education at HPU includes experiential learning activities! From conducting personal interviews during their freshman year with people of differing views on engineering issues, such as autonomous vehicles, to the senior capstone design project, which builds on the entire four years of HPU’s engineering curriculum, experiential learning is integrated throughout all our programs.

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THINslices HPU is now a Chartered Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. The honor society recognizes both academic and leadership success across all disciplines, and the first group of HPU students were inducted in the fall.

Pharmacy student Jymon Clark helped secure a $1,000 grant from the American Pharmacists Association Foundation. With this grant, he’s providing the pneumococcal vaccine to at-risk patients at the Community Clinic of High Point. The grant is only offered to two schools of pharmacy nationally each year.

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Jeff Regester, instructor of physics and astronomy, and HPU student Jack Munn joined a research expedition to Spain supporting NASA to collect astronomical observations as part of the Lucy mission. Regester and HPU student David Vestal also attended Lucy’s launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

HPU Chemistry Professor Dr. Andrew Wommack and senior Ashleigh Purvis published their National Science Foundation-funded research in “BMC Microbiology.” Their research determined how plant-defending molecules interact with the bacterial world around them.

Ivana Korankyi, a second-year pharmacy student, was featured in the Triad Business Journal’s “Inno Under 25,” a special list that honors emerging innovators and startups led by people who are 25 years old or younger. Korankyi was recognized for her innovative design of a portable electrical power supply. She earned startup funds for her idea as a freshman in 2019 at HPU’s Annual Business Plan Competition and once again in 2021.

Dr. Frederick Schneid will serve as the Charles Boal Ewing Chair in Military History at the United States Military Academy at West Point for the 2023-2024 academic year. He will teach courses on Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars to the cadets at the academy. He has worked at HPU since 1994 and has earned international reputation from his many scholarships and publications.

HPU’s Department of Chemistry earned American Chemical Society (ACS) certification approval for their Bachelor of Science in chemistry. The American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training recognized that HPU’s chemistry program provides academic excellence to students and grows their intellectual, experimental and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals.

Dr. Jolene Henning, chair of the Department of Athletic Training, was honored with the President’s Award by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Henning earned this award for her exemplary service and leadership to the CAATE organization amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A C A D E M I C I N N O VAT I O N

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Experiential learning accounts for a quarter of the academic hours in each major at High Point University. Students are educated inside and outside the classroom through labs, studios, career shadowing, internships, research, study abroad and professional settings to gain real-world experiences within their major. Students embark on a one-of-a-kind journey when they enroll at HPU. Through experiential learning opportunities, students develop their portfolios and a network of professionals. Along the way, they discover that experience is the best teacher. Hands-on learning leads to a deeper understanding about the importance of knowledge. Students become more resilient by learning from their mistakes and developing practical skills. Armed with these real-world experiences, HPU students graduate prepared for the world as it is going to be. The statistics back that up. 180 days after graduation, 98% of all HPU graduates have a job or are enrolled in graduate school. That’s 16 points higher than the national average.

“

I hear and I forget. I see and I might remember. I do and then I understand.” Chinese Proverb

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Premier Life Skills

EXPERIENCES: Inside HPU’s relentless pursuit to arm students with practical experience

High Point University understands and implements this simple truth: Experience is the best teacher. Consider these examples — all of which regularly take place on campus. It’s one thing to take a class on the latest broadcast equipment. It’s another thing to operate the state’s largest college Jumbotron for a live concert featuring famed rock band Train with thousands in attendance. It’s one thing to give a presentation to your peers. It’s another thing to speak to nearly 1,000 leaders and executives from around the world. It’s one thing to study history and learn about the patriotic contributions of our troops. It’s another thing to represent the Air Force ROTC by introducing Lee Greenwood, a six-time Grammy Award-winning artist, to sing his record-smashing hit “God Bless the USA” to thousands of cheering parents and students. It’s one thing to take a class on building a business plan. It’s quite another to present your business plan to Netflix Co-Founder and serial entrepreneur Marc

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Randolph and benefit from his honest feedback and insights. It’s one thing to learn about educational disparities among inner-city youth in a social justice class. It’s quite another thing to work one-on-one with children in the community on a regular, impactful basis. HPU provides educational opportunities far beyond the classroom and lessons in higher learning that become tutorials in higher living to make the world a better place. The stories on the following pages provide just a few of the many premier life skills experiences that prepare HPU students to excel after graduation.

“

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward.” Vernon Law Former Major League Baseball Player

Nicole Butterworth is a senior from Old Tappan, New Jersey, and an intern with the Office of University Events. She provided the welcome address for 1,000 attendees at the grand opening of the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. Butterworth also managed aspects of the event.

A CONFIDENCE BOOSTER By Nicole Butterworth, Event Management Major At the grand opening of the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, I spoke in front of nearly 1,000 leaders from across the nation. Since then, I’ve been walking on air. I was nervous, even a bit hesitant. But when I stepped up to the podium, I had practiced so much that I just knew what I was going to say. Afterward, I felt so accomplished. I really felt it the next morning. I was working registration at the Wanek Center during Family Weekend, and I heard a student say, “Hey, that’s that girl who spoke in front of all those people!” Then, someone came up to me in The Café an hour later and said, “You’re the young lady who spoke last night, and you did a great job. You couldn’t tell you were even nervous.” Hearing that gave me such a good feeling. That’s one of the reasons I came to High Point University — for opportunities like that Friday night.

High Point University wants you to succeed, and they provide tons of opportunities for you to make that happen. Growing up, I had never been given an opportunity like that. And really, I never thought I could do something like that. I have friends who go to much larger schools, and they’re not getting these opportunities. But here, you do. That’s why I came. I came for a chance at a new beginning. That’s happened. I remember the first time I walked into the arena and conference center, and I looked up at the glass ceiling. My jaw just dropped. But this place is more than just beautiful. It’s a confidence booster. I had never spoken in front of that many people before, but at High Point University, I’ve learned that it’s important to put yourself out there. Every time I do, I learn so much about myself and what I want to do. Our university prepares you for the real world, and I’m ready.

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Emmy Beck-Aden is a senior from Athens, Ohio, and the director for HPU’s campus news show, “HPU All Access.” She and seven others broadcasted the Train concert on the Qubein Center’s video screens during the 2021 Fall Family Weekend. Watch a quick video of this premier life skills experience!

A CREATIVE WAY TO LEARN By Emmy Beck-Aden, Media Production and Entrepreneurship Major For two hours, I ran on adrenaline. I was surrounded by seven of my friends, and we worked as a team broadcasting on the Jumbotron and the other video screens inside the Qubein Center for the Train concert. I couldn’t believe how fast it went by. It felt like five minutes. After the concert, we clapped so loud and hit the table so hard we knocked the phone off. We were all just so happy. Andrew MacBeath and Rachel Martin. Brenden Mahla and Ben Tornesello. Blake Woodard, Will Whittington and Thomas Hart. I remember saying, “This is what I want to do after I graduate.” This was Thomas’ idea. He wanted to get used to the equipment before the basketball season started so we could help broadcast games on ESPN+. So, he asked, and High Point University said yes. They gave us an opportunity to work on something big — a concert by Train at the grand opening of the Qubein Center. And I got to do it with my

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friends. What a fun way to collaborate. Afterward, we climbed into a minivan and drove across town to Andy’s for ice cream. We were all so excited about what we had just done. It seemed like other people were, too. We shot a video on an iPhone showing Thomas and I working in the control room and posted a few clips on social media. We couldn’t believe how fast it spread and how many people watched our work, but it showed us how much support we had for what we did. It also showed me how special the HPU community is. This is a purposeful, intentional and caring place. The faculty and staff always go out of their way to provide students opportunities beyond the classroom. It’s what you can put on a resume and what can give you an edge wherever you go. No matter where I go, I know I have the experience to be successful. I also know I have a university that will continue to support me.

Matt Redbord is a senior from Ocean, New Jersey, and a member of HPU’s Air Force ROTC. He introduced Lee Greenwood before his performance at the grand opening for the Qubein Center.

‘PROUD TO BE AN HPU STUDENT’ By Matt Redbord, Finance Major I heard it before I went out there. “You’ll be the first person to speak in the Qubein Center!” I had made presentations before in front of my Air Force ROTC unit. So, I was used to public speaking. But when I walked onstage and the lights went down, everyone started clapping. I heard my buddies yell, “Hey, Matt!” I heard people clapping, and I kept thinking, “I haven’t said anything yet.” I knew then I’d better not mess up. I didn’t. I got to introduce Lee Greenwood, and it was such a surreal honor. It all happened so fast. He and I worked out the details together on what I was going to say right before he sang “God Bless the USA,” and the whole time, I was sort of starstruck. It was such an insane opportunity. It shows how High Point University feels about ROTC, the military in general and how much trust they put in us, their students, someone like me.

That’s who we are. High Point University is a God, family, country school, and that night really tied into the country part. Lee Greenwood opened Saturday’s concert, and the crowd loved it. I did, too. But I know that song resonates with more than just me. It resonates with High Point University and mirrors the values that are important to our school and important to me. You can tell by the way the crowd responded to a person in uniform. That is what makes me proud to put on the uniform each day. Being an ROTC cadet, I really appreciate that. And I appreciate High Point University. I’ve spent four years of my life here, and I’ve grown immensely. When I graduate, I’ll go into the Air Force where my dream is to become a fighter pilot. HPU supports that dream. The lessons and mindset I’ve developed here will serve me well for the rest of my life. I am proud to be an HPU student.

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BUILDING FOR THE

Better

How the Webb School of Engineering helps students become computer scientists, mathematicians and more You can find success and significance as an engineer. Doing work that betters the world and having a satisfying career go hand in hand in the industry. The same is true for computer scientists, mathematicians, data scientists, actuaries and cybersecurity wizards, and HPU’s Webb School of Engineering provides paths for all of these.

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“Engineers have an interest in making the world a better place by building things,” says Dr. Michael Oudshoorn, founding dean of the school. “Engineers work in every city of every country in the world. They do everything from wear hard hats on construction sites to work with computers in hospital labs.” Engineering faculty in the Webb School of Engineering have a laser-focused mission. “We are here to help,” says Oudshoorn.

“They care about how you’re doing in your classes. They’re always available during their office hours and understanding if you have questions,” adds the sophomore from Milton, Pennsylvania. Nicholas Nunez would happily agree. He’s an actuarial science major who struggled in Calculus 3.

Challenging Work, Caring Professors “It was a lot more difficult than I expected,” Nunez says about his

Calculus 3 course. “I utilized faculty help. Things went great, and I got an A+. That was a defining moment for me.” Unlike at other colleges, engineering at HPU puts undergraduates first. “Instead of a department that’s focused on graduate-level research where undergrads get the leftovers, our undergrads get the full serving,” says Sean Johnson, assistant professor of electrical engineering.

Small class sizes mean personal attention from every professor if a student gets stuck. “That doesn’t mean someone’s standing over your shoulder,” he adds. “But if you have a question, you have access. Students who thrive here are ones who don’t want to be a number.” HPU students experience the benefits of caring professors firsthand. “All my professors have been really good teachers,” says electrical engineering major Elijah Trutt.

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Pictured left: Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak (right), has served as HPU’s Innovator in Residence and mentored students for more than six years. Kira Foglesong, ’17, is pictured during one of his collaboration sessions with students. Today, Foglesong is an associate producer at Epic Games in California.

Apple’s Co-Founder Coaches Students All HPU students, not just engineers, have the enormous opportunity to learn from one of the world’s greatest engineers — Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak. He created the first successful personal computer, and he’s the Innovator in Residence as part of an HPU program that brings elite business leaders to campus. That’s why this entrepreneurial pioneer regularly comes to campus to mentor students. Together they work on a year-long project. “I think engineers should be involved right from the very start in any startup,” he recently told a team of students he’s helping to design and build a headset that reads brainwaves. More importantly, Wozniak teaches students life lessons. “Overcome your own phobias,” he told teams. “Own your selfconfidence. Be patient, and be careful. What’s in your heart is where you’ll do your best and where you’ll go.” Many HPU students in the group have worked with Wozniak several times and affectionally know him as “Woz.” For freshman Landon Hardister, he recently

interacted with the tech industry titan for the first time. “It’s empowering as most 18-year-olds like myself do not get to speak to someone as knowledgeable as Woz,” says Hardister. “He was wonderful to chat with and was very good at answering our questions. It was very useful hearing him talk about problems we have and how to solve them.” “Meeting with Steve Wozniak was a dream come true for me,” adds Rafik Tarbari, a student from West Africa. “It was such a pleasure to have him share his successful and very motivating experience with us, and on a personal level, have him give me such great pieces of advice on how I should be flexible in reshaping my startup ideas to follow the market.”

Meeting with Steve Wozniak was a dream come true for me.” Rafik Tarbari,

a Computer Science Major from West Africa

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HPU’s engineering curriculum balances theory and real-world training. Every class has a lab. That hands-on component happens for students from their first freshman engineering class through senior design courses. “That’s very rare in this day and age,” adds Johnson. “We are all about being hands-on as early as possible and as frequently as possible. We do heavy practical application.” Freshmen in their first engineering class put their brains — and hands — to work with a design project that is computer and electrical engineering related. That’s because students interested in either major take the same foundation classes to start. Sophomore students in the class Circuits 1 unravel the mysteries of how circuits operate. They design basic resistive circuits. They also take classes in digital logic. All the while, they get busy with multimeters, function generators and oscilloscopes. Class and lab work have real-world applications. Student teams build summing amplifiers to convert analog to digital signals. They design filter applications that only “see” specific radio frequencies. “Engineering is challenging,” says senior Carly Raphan from Livingston, New Jersey. “It’s about problem-solving. It’s putting puzzle

From Computer Games to Computer Science By Matthew Ray, ’22 Computer Science Major from Bridgewater, New Jersey

pieces together. If you’re unsure what you want to major in but want to put in the work and see great results, engineering is exciting.”

The Diverse Pathways of Engineering What’s the difference between an electrical and a computer engineer? Electrical engineers dig deep into hardware — from the largest circuits, such as the national power grid, to ones the size of dust specks. Computer engineers act as the glue between computer science (the software side) and electrical engineering (the hardware side). “These engineers want to know how to get software to control a hardware device,” says Oudshoorn. Being a computer scientist means building software. At HPU, this major tackles data science from a computational perspective — how to manipulate massive amounts of data. Mathematics, which is a part of the Webb School of Engineering, includes data analytics, statistics and actuarial science. “It’s the closest thing we have to predicting the future,” says Nunez,

the junior from Waxhaw, North Carolina. “Actuaries work for insurance companies, banks and the government, all of whom crunch historical data to benefit customers and citizens. It’s a math and numbers job, and that’s my passion.”

A Unique Place: The Makerspace Students go to the Makerspace and Engineering Lab where enthusiasm rules. “Freshmen have 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week access to all our machinery — laser cutters, a CNC router, a vacuum former, state-of-the-art soldering equipment, 3D printers and a PCB mill so they can make circuit boards,” says Lab Manager Matt Eaton, who lives by the acronym ACBR — Anyone Can Build Robots. There are no tools larger schools have that HPU doesn’t. “Students have so much freedom and creativity in the lab,” says Eaton. “It’s a great place to hang out. On their first day, I always tell students my chief goal is to find out what they’re passionate about. I genuinely think I have the best job on the planet. I love managing the Makerspace.”

I have wanted to be involved with computers since I was four. I knew when I played games on my grandma’s flip phone. Technology has always fascinated me. In high school, I was on the robotics team. Everything about computers interested me — taking them apart, changing things, really anything I could get my hands on. My focus is cybersecurity. Technology has expanded so much that with only a computer, you can find anyone’s information. This malicious side is a reality of technology that continually changes. I’ve always thought it was important to protect people from things like that. There are a lot of benefits to being at HPU. There are great connections to be made here. Friends I’ve made have motivated me to do better and try new things. I’ve learned to push myself out of my comfort zone. HPU has changed the way I look at things and improved my way of life. It’s true there are always going to be stumbling blocks. But the professors here have always pushed me. “You can do this,” they’ve said. “You just have to figure out what works for you.” I have found that if I sit down, think about things and break them down piece by piece, I can do just about anything.

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TRANSFORMATIONAL

Teachers The Stout School of Education prepares teachers to lead in the classrooms of tomorrow. They come from everywhere, these students in the Stout School of Education. They’re from Georgia, Ohio and 25 other states — even China. They’re education majors, and they come to HPU’s School of Education for the four years of classroom experience and the chance to earn a master’s degree

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in a fifth year. They can also earn their doctorate degree and teaching certifications here, or complete a special two-year program that hones their leadership skills. They graduate to lead in school systems across North Carolina — from teachers to principals and superintendents. In turn, they gain the confidence they need to pursue their passion. These students all have one thing in common. They come to a place they trust and respect. “HPU has set us up for a lifetime of success,” says Maya Moss, a senior special education adaptive curriculum major from Atlanta, Georgia. “Over and over again, they have told us they are invested in each of us, and they want to do what it takes to get us there. They have.”

HPU’s ‘Candy Shop’ The room sits on the second floor, across the hall from the office of Moss’ professor, Teresa Owens, HPU’s instructor of educator preparation. It’s known as the Sheehy Specialized Curriculum Learning Lab, one of three learning labs inside Stout. For Moss and her classmates, the lab is their classroom where they learn much from Owens. In 2008, Owens came to HPU after more than three decades of serving students with disabilities and their families. Last fall, she asked her students to write on the whiteboard about what she called “Our Lab.”

Each year, HPU freshmen bring a copy of their favorite children’s book to donate to local schools. Groups of HPU students, such as Bonner Leaders and Education Fellows, distribute the books to schools in the city.

friends to work on homework and view resources and opportunities. We feel like kids in a candy shop.”

from her office as she motioned toward the collage. “All I have to do is look up there.”

Moss and her classmates gain experience teaching at schools nearby. They also join HPU’s Student Council for Exceptional Children and hold dances off campus every Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Christmas for community members with disabilities.

Making A Spark

These events help Moss and her classmates understand the impact they can make. Every semester, Owens teaches them the why and how of that impact through the national conferences they attend or the classes they take inside the Sheehy Learning Lab. Afterward, her students often ask, “Did we make the board yet?”

Moss was one.

They’re talking about Owens’ big photo collage in her office. Across from her desk, it includes photos of students and former students. Owens sees it every day.

“Home,” she wrote in green ink. “Lots of time is spent here with

“That reminds me of why I come to work,” she said one day last fall

Dr. Shirley Disseler, an associate professor of educator preparation, has shown dozens of her students over the years how to use LEGOs and everyday items to teach science and technology, engineering and math to students as young as 6 years old. Now, with the Nido and Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum a mile from campus, Disseler has taught students like Angela Haynes how to create STEM lessons for the children who come to the museum. These lessons have a name: STEM-in-a-Box. It’s really a big cardboard box, and Haynes’ box contains construction paper, a bag of soil, pom poms, plastic straws, plastic spoons and a flashlight. Students learn how to grow plants, build boats out of paper and understand the Earth’s place in the

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Dr. Shirley Disseler (front, center) helped 10 graduate students create STEM-in-a-Box kits for local teachers to use in their classrooms as well as at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Children's Museum.

solar system. Teachers will direct them using a 112-page manual Haynes created. In May, Haynes will graduate with a master’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in STEM. She’ll leave behind her STEM-in-a-Box project, and she knows it will teach children and help teachers for years to come. “I’m leaving my mark with High Point University and the city of High Point,” says Haynes, the 2021 elementary education B.A. graduate from Rockwell, North Carolina. “I hope it gives kids that spark.”

Finding Confidence

He sees them as his closest friends. They help each other through the challenges of teaching. Meanwhile, HPU provides the tools and resources they need to succeed. When asked how, Wymer mentions HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. “Dr. Qubein describes High Point University as a life skills university, and that’s very true,” Wymer says. “When I came here, I wasn’t very confident. But I grew. I learned to reach outside myself, and I’m getting an education I couldn’t get elsewhere. We’ve got the resources, the tools and the professors that help us become good teachers.”

On his left wrist, Wymer wears a rubber wristband he made for the baseball players he coaches. The wristband carries Wymer’s twoword mantra: All in. He feels that way about teaching, thanks in part to the life skills he’s honed at HPU. “You can’t do anything in life without confidence.”

Reaching A Dream Next fall, the School of Education will launch 12 certificate programs crafted for experienced educators to give them affordable options both online and in person. Those options will help educators grow in their career, says Dr. Amy Holcombe, the school’s dean.

Zachary Wymer found his own spark in eighth grade thanks to two teachers. He was captivated by how they taught him science and history. Wymer is now a junior history major from Columbus, Ohio, and an HPU Education Fellow seeking a license to teach seventh graders through high school seniors. This spring, he taught once a week. Next year, he’ll teach almost every day. As an Education Fellow, Wymer takes classes with his cohort of 25.

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HPU’s Dr. Steve Bingham (left) helped guide Dr. Lindsay Whitley (right) in getting his doctorate in educational leadership. Whitley is the associate superintendent for communications and community engagement in Cumberland County Schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

“They can visualize their future and see the place where they want to be,” she said. HPU offers various customized learning programs for busy educators already. One is the HPU Leadership Academy, a two-year program that provides future principals the tools to transform low-performing schools in North Carolina. Dr. Erick Pryor, an assistant principal at Smith High School in nearby Greensboro, North Carolina, chose the program for its reputation and his desire to become a superintendent one day. Pryor will graduate from the academy in May. “The leadership academy is like an optometrist,” he said. “It has clarified my vision, and I now have the glasses to see the benchmarks I need to hit.” Dr. Lindsay Whitley sees those benchmarks, too. He’s the associate superintendent for communications and community engagement in Cumberland County Schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina. After nearly five years of work, Whitley completed his doctorate in educational leadership in November. For his dissertation, he created a virtual family engagement academy. Dr. Steve Bingham, HPU’s professor of leadership studies, helped Whitley at every step. After successfully defending his dissertation, Whitley needed to finalize the paperwork to make it official. So, he drove two hours from Fayetteville to meet Bingham. Whitley got the signatures he needed and rang the hallway bell on the second floor, which students chime when they finish their doctorate. Afterward, Bingham and Whitley took a photo to commemorate the moment. For Whitley, a first-generation college student, that moment was a big deal. “I wanted to set an example for my children,” said Whitley, a married father of two boys. “I wanted them to see their father reach a dream and know that if they work hard, they can succeed as well.”

‘This Is My Life’s Work’ Down a long hall at The Piedmont School in the city of High Point, Remi Rohl’s classroom is the third door on the left. You can’t miss the inspirational quote on her whiteboard as soon as you walk in. She teaches students who have a variety of learning disabilities, and she often puts up a new quote for her students. Today’s message: “If you could be anyone, be you.” For Rohl herself, she has. In 2019, she graduated from HPU with a degree in special education and teaching. She then stayed for a fifth year to complete her master’s degree in educational leadership. Next year, she’ll receive another academic accolade from HPU: her doctoral degree in educational leadership. Ask about her motivation, and she’ll mention her childhood in Freehold, New Jersey. She went through years of speech therapy to overcome a severe stutter exacerbated by her hearing disability. She now has hearing aids in both ears. Yet, she sees her disability as an advantage. She’s teaching students a lot like her. At The Piedmont School, Rohl teaches math to high school seniors and math and literacy to students ages 5 through 14. She helps them become, as she says, “true citizens.” “At 25, I can say this is my life’s work,” she says. “That’s really inspiring.” At HPU’s Stout School of Education, her professors taught her to appreciate the craft of teaching. They also fed her unquenchable appetite to learn, and in her second year at The Piedmont School, she still calls on them for help. They’re her mentors and her friends. “They are still helping me carve my path and accomplish everything I wanted to,” she says. “That’s how HPU has helped me. They have helped me see my future very clearly.”

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Students studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, visited historic sites during their studies, including the Sydney Opera House.

EDUCATION SPANNING

Far and Wide HPU’s Office of Global Education gives students the international perspective they need to find their place and passion. Students have persevered through unexpected challenges during the pandemic, but with the help of HPU’s Office of Global Education, they have continued to pursue their study abroad goals. Those goals include seeing the world, gaining a global mindset and finding cultural enrichment.

Simran Kaur, Class of 2022, grew as a person and a professional during her time abroad in Seoul, South Korea.

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“I have witnessed some unbelievable resiliency in our students,” says Jeffrey Palis, assistant vice president for Global Education. “Our students have amazing goals, and they are going to accomplish them no matter the obstacles.” Studying abroad during college is often a quintessential

opportunity for students to develop life skills like communication, emotional intelligence and adaptability. Simran Kaur knows that. She’s a senior majoring in accounting, and she studied abroad at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, for a semester.

‘Seoul’ Searching “I’ve grown to be a lot more independent, which is something I really wanted to achieve from this experience,” says Kaur. “When figuring out how to navigate a world all in a foreign language, every day was a new adventure and a fun challenge.” Kaur is a Greensboro, North Carolina native who plans to work at a nearby accounting firm following graduation. Her time abroad gave her the international experience she wanted before joining the workforce.

the world and heard their perspectives on world issues and issues concerning their respective countries. Through those classes, my worldview expanded, and I became a more knowledgeable individual.” Humphries is the president of HPU’s Model United Nations, a Business Fellow and a member of Phi Alpha Delta, an international law fraternity. “Going abroad to live in two different foreign countries, one in Asia and one in Europe, let me experience two wholly new parts of the world,” says Humphries. “Both times I had to adjust to a new culture and language. Learning to adapt has made me a far more capable person who is unafraid to travel to new places and take on new challenges.” And national research data shows consistent results in students who have studied abroad.

“This opportunity gave me the chance to experience a new culture,” says Kaur. “I got to hear fresh perspectives, make friends from different countries and try loads of things I would not have had the chance to do otherwise.”

First, students who study abroad have higher retention rates and higher graduating GPAs. Second, no matter where or how long a student studied abroad, two important attributes always grow: confidence and independence.

Palis likes to say that the passport is the new resume, meaning no matter what field a student goes into, the ability to show experience working across cultures is critical.

“Studying abroad encourages a deep and long-lasting engagement with academic studies, and on faculty-led programs especially, it fosters the opportunities for mentorship and experiential learning that are so connected to academic success,” says Palis.

“We talk about this in terms of professional credentials and job competitiveness, but it’s more than that,” says Palis. “It’s the ability to navigate complex communication challenges, to adapt to changes and differences, and to see the benefit of diverse perspectives and worldviews. These abilities are requirements for today’s university graduates.” Alexa Humphries, a senior international business major with minors in Chinese and political science who’s also on a pre-law track, had two study abroad experiences that impacted her undergraduate education.

Double the Experience In 2019, Humphries spent a semester at Korea University in South Korea. During the fall 2021 semester, she studied abroad again at the American University of Rome in Italy. “In both experiences, I improved my language skills by speaking with locals rather than just through textbooks,” says the Charlotte, North Carolina native. “I took courses in international business and international law, all while living internationally. I met students from around

Going Global with HPU

Future students will appreciate and benefit from a new, tuition-free study abroad opportunity High Point University has launched. The Go Global Grant provides qualifying students with month-long courses taught by faculty abroad in one of HPU’s international hubs such as London, Osaka, Paris and Sydney. Watch this video to learn more:

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

THINslices During the first basketball game held in the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein (left) and First Lady Mariana Qubein (center left), along with a packed arena, honored former Men’s Basketball Coach Tubby Smith (right) and his wife, Donna Smith (center right). The basketball court is named in honor of Tubby, an NCAA Championshipwinning coach, and Donna. Both are proud HPU graduates.

Students made industry connections and worked with clients from all over the world at the fall and spring High Point Markets. The twiceyearly furniture trade show is one of the largest in the world, and it all takes place in downtown High Point near HPU’s campus.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Students in the Department of Accounting teamed up with federal IRS agents in the Criminal Investigation division for a recruiting event called the Adrian Project. Students split up into three groups to investigate mock tax-related crimes. They sifted through evidence and “arrested” their “suspect” after completing their investigation.

Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) awarded HPU silver for the third consecutive year for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. Students, faculty and staff in the departments of HPU Recreation, Exercise Science and Employee Wellness helped HPU earn this honor. HPU also earned the COVID Conqueror badge, an award highlighting creative approaches to wellness during the pandemic.

Jason Stateham, a senior majoring in sport management, interned with the Boston Red Sox in event operations. He worked with fans as they entered Fenway Park to make sure they had an enjoyable experience. His responsibilities changed daily with different assignments, game night responsibilities and special event tasks.

Meredith Haddock, a senior majoring in media production and entrepreneurship, made her dreams come true by interning with the Walt Disney World Company for the Disney College Program in Orlando, Florida. HPU’s Office of Career and Professional Development helped prepare her for the opportunity.

Harold Velasquez, a senior majoring in marketing, was a business development intern with NASCAR and CSM Sport & Entertainment. He helped build pitches and business development proposals. He also conducted market research, designed logos and networked with many professionals during his internship.

Ashton Kajcienski, a senior graphic design student, landed an internship at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a fan engagement intern. She interacted with thousands of guests daily, implemented programs at the Hall of Fame and helped create educational activities for the company. The internship helped her gain valuable skills to apply to her future.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

PREMIER LIFE SKILLS A college education shouldn’t focus only on the attainment of a diploma. An extraordinary, holistic education is also about personal transformation and professional development. HPU’s investment in each student’s success goes much deeper than their academic discipline. HPU is committed to equipping students with the life skills necessary to be successful in their career and daily life. Pictured right is an illustration depicting 1924 PRIME, one of HPU’s fine-dining restaurants. HPU uses common exchanges, such as an interview over a meal, to teach the art of persuasion, effective communication and other skills that help HPU students stand out. Transforming a student’s ability to solve complex problems, adapt, work well with others and be coachable is what sets HPU’s educational model apart.

“

I put the life skills I gained at HPU into practice daily. And while I appreciated my education and my campus as a student, I understand the context of the HPU experience in the real world now that I’ve worked for companies like Google and Duolingo.” Tyler Yusko,

’13, ’14, Director of Technical Recruiting at Duolingo

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The Office of Career and Professional Development is located in Cottrell Hall, the hub for offices on campus that prepare students to achieve their career and graduate school goals.

CHAMPIONING

Career Readiness HPU leads students on a focused journey to build the careers of their dreams.

The hustle and bustle of Cottrell Hall’s Office of Career and Professional Development never stops. Students come from all corners of campus to the Silicon Valley-style building and meet with advisors to map a path for their aspirations. They shake hands, talk strategy and define their goals. “We seek to meet students where they are,” says Dr. Doug Hall, vice president of Career and Professional Development.

LIFE SKILLS

“Mapping out a career trajectory can be overwhelming for students, so we take the time to learn their interests, provide resources that enhance their understanding of career development and give guidance to engage in experiential education that promotes exploration before committing to a specific career path. “We continuously express to our students the benefits of interacting with our office early and often and being open to exploring an array of experiential opportunities that accelerate their career goals.” It all begins with intentionality. HPU’s emphasis on promoting life skills comes by way of the learning experiences students encounter both inside and outside the classroom. Life skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, professionalism, and oral and written communication skills are what employers seek. The more students see, hear and demonstrate their mastery of necessary life skills, the more natural it becomes for them to translate and transfer them to the workplace. “We’re fortunate to have such a phenomenal team that brings their heart and passion to the work,” says Hall. “This is demonstrated in our mission to educate and empower all students to translate experiential learning to the professional world.” HPU’s focus on career preparation sets a standard. Take it from Kate McCarthy, ’23, a double major in marketing and finance from Holden, Massachusetts. She’s spending her summer interning with Chick-fil-A Corporate Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

98%

of HPU graduates are employed or furthering their education within 180 days of graduating.

That’s 16 points higher than the national average!

*Data from the Class of 2021. HPU follows the National Association of Colleges and Employers first destination reporting protocols.

Charging Forward to Chick-fil-A McCarthy was ready. She had the experience and the know-how. When the time came, it was no surprise she got the internship offer from Chick-fil-A. After all, she took advantage of every opportunity she could at HPU. She attended professional workshops with global leaders and joined organizations where she held leadership roles. All that experiential learning led to years of professional knowledge developed way ahead of graduation. “The inspiring environment at HPU has always encouraged me to go after my goals,” says McCarthy. “I have a great support system from staff, faculty and fellow students who are there to guide, mentor and support me. The tons of resources on campus are there whenever I need help or have a question.”

me navigate the job market and gain the skills I needed to excel in my professional endeavors,” she says. “They understand my initiative and ambition. You cannot wait for things to come to you; you must go out of your way to take charge of your future.” McCarthy is a go-getter, and HPU supports her dreams. Now, when she’s working as a consumer data privacy intern, she’ll be ready for the fast-paced nature of Chick-fil-A’s corporate office. Students like McCarthy come from all walks of life and all different backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: the ambition to lead lives of success and significance.

Accepting a Position with Amazon Alon Parker waves whenever he passes Robert Tillman’s office in Cottrell Hall. Tillman is his career advisor in the Office of Career and Professional Development.

McCarthy utilized the Office of Career and Professional Development starting her freshman year. After setting that foundation for professional development, she landed multiple internships prior to her position with Chick-fil-A.

“Robert has taught me how to network with other professionals, how to constantly give 110% to anything I put my mind to, and he holds me accountable when he believes I could do better in any aspect of my life,” says Parker.

“The Office of Career and Professional Development and my advisor, Allen Unger, have helped

“He is a constant representation of how I want to hold myself as a professional in the real world.”

LIFE SKILLS

HPU helped me get where I am now by providing so many different hands-on opportunities and experiences throughout my four years. I feel comfortable and ready to accomplish anything that comes at me in the real world because I have been using these life skills since I stepped foot on campus.” Alon Parker, Alon Parker

Parker’s goal isn’t just to have a successful career, although the Concord, North Carolina native and HPU senior already has a position lined up at Amazon Web Services as a demand generation representative. He wants to be a change agent that positively impacts those around him the way his mentors impacted him. He’s had multiple impactful mentors that he credits to his success. Tillman is one, and Hall is another. “I used the Office of Career and Professional Development frequently to obtain the amazing opportunity with Amazon Web Services,” says Parker. “I would constantly go to them for help constructing my resume and cover letter. I would meet with Dr. Hall, who helped me polish my materials to capture my dream internship and then my dream job. He spent time with me going over email structures, improving my LinkedIn so it looked professional and looking for internships. He was the real reason why I felt comfortable applying to any job.” Parker’s story is one example of many from the Office of Career and Professional Development. But it’s all a team effort. “HPU helped me get where I am now by providing so many different hands-on opportunities and experiences throughout my four years,” Parker says. “I feel comfortable and ready to accomplish anything that

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’22, Demand Generation Representative at Amazon Web Services

comes at me in the real world because I have been using these life skills since I stepped foot on campus.” Alumni, faculty, staff and students all work together to create a cohesive network of learning and growth. That’s how Riley Manion secured a spot with NBC.

Navigating to NBC Manion was confident as he interviewed with the hiring manager. He knew he was well prepared. He’s a junior broadcast journalism major from New Egypt, New Jersey, and he landed a position at NBC as a booking intern. He spent the spring semester with NBCUniversal, coordinating guest bookings across multiple NBC shows, including NBC News, “TODAY” and more. It all started with a dream that Manion and a team of students quickly turned into reality. They produced and hosted an HPU version of “The Voice.” “It started as an idea, but we brought it to life, and I am so grateful for the experience,” says Manion. “My career goal is to be a TV host, and I got the chance to experience what that would be like, all while bringing together people from across campus to participate and watch. We had over 3,000 viewers.”

That passion is what continues to drive Manion to pioneer his future. He worked proactively to partner with the Office of Career and Professional Development early and often to reach his goals. “Going in and asking for help with my resume or cover letter was something that seemed like a small step, but in the long run, the knowledge they gave made me polished and experienced through the power of words,” says Manion. Manion also participated in professional development events with young alumni. It was at one of those events where he met Mitch Rismiller, a 2019 graduate who works as a producer for NBC’s “TODAY” Digital and has also worked on “The Drew Barrymore Show.” Rismiller gave Manion advice and coached him before his big interview. That mentorship from an alumnus made all the difference to Manion. It’s that network of professionals and a team of dedicated career advisors that allow HPU students to make big connections and stand out from the competition.

Continual Career Preparation HPU students are offered an abundance of resources across campus to develop the technical skills and life skills required to lead a successful career. Below is a round-up of examples.

Career & Internship Expo Each semester, employers flock to campus to meet and connect with HPU students for employment and internship opportunities. Companies that attend include Coca-Cola Consolidated, Volvo Group, Lenovo, Gartner, IBM and more!

Destination Success Students and parents receive the Destination Success email series, which is strategically designed to provide, tips, tricks and opportunities for professional development. Topics include advice from alumni and recruiters at major companies, how to sharpen resumes, how to build professional networks and more.

First-Year Seminar on Life Skills All freshmen attend a weekly seminar focused on fiscal literacy, time management, effective communication, leadership and more. This class is led by HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein, an entrepreneur and consultant to CEOs, and also includes sessions with global leaders who serve in residence at HPU, such as Russell Weiner, CEO of Domino’s.

1924 PRIME & Alo According to The New York Times, employers say that taking a candidate to lunch or dinner is one of the most revealing and important parts of the hiring process. While other universities might provide a one-time etiquette class for seniors, HPU provides students with four years of career preparation inside 1924 PRIME and Alo, HPU’s fine-dining learning labs. Students can participate in weekly dinners as part of their meal plan beginning their freshman year.

Internship Guarantee To ensure students build career experience and industry connections, HPU offers a 23-step professional development program that guarantees an internship for every student who completes the steps in these five major categories: Career Exploration, Professional Branding, Networking, Research, and Interview Process and Protocol.

Riley Manion

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Future-Proofed PROFESSIONALS HPU’s Earl N. Phillips School of Business prepares students to be real-world ready.

At some schools, professors focus more on conducting research or publishing academic studies than they focus on preparing their students for success. That’s not how HPU rolls. “Everybody in my department wants to teach, and that’s what drives us,” says George Noxon, chair of the accounting department, who notes that almost all his faculty have substantial real-world backgrounds.

undergraduate, I wouldn’t be as successful today handling all the work my managers throw at me,” she says. Her story is one of many that started in HPU’s Phillips School of Business. Dr. Daniel Hall, dean of the school, explains it this way:

Just ask Rachel Lynch, ’21. She’s grateful her professors pushed her and her classmates. She majored in accounting. Today, the Vorhees, New Jersey native serves as a risk analyst for Deloitte in Manhattan.

“Business majors at HPU want to get T’s as well as A’s,” says Hall. “An A is a grade that’s earned, but the T is something students become – T-shaped professionals. The T-shape means you have a wide range of knowledge combined with deep vertical specialization in finance, marketing, economics or another business discipline.

“If I hadn’t had that support as an

“That T also stands for tomorrow-

LIFE SKILLS

proof,” Hall adds. “We emphasize that learning must be lifelong. Most of our students recognize the return-on-investment that our education gives them.” That’s one reason HPU has a 98% placement rate for graduates within 180 days of graduating – 16 points higher than the national outcomes rate.

Learners for Life Lifelong learning means HPU offers an online MBA that’s ideal for working professionals. A tuition-free master’s in communication and business leadership also has an online option. Freshmen entering this fall can enroll in a B.S/B.A. to MBA program and earn both degrees in five years.

Lauren Strickler, an HPU junior majoring in business administration, moderated an hour-long Q&A session for students in November with Russell Weiner, CEO of Domino's.

Tomorrow-proofing begins day one for freshmen who plan to major in business. A Practical Excel for Business class is mandatory. It teaches incoming students Excel’s basic functions, formulas and formats. After that, they build financial reports. “Accounting is the language that businesses use to talk to each other, and if you don’t know what that language is, you’re going to be left out,” says Noxon. At the end of the course, freshmen can earn an Excel Associate Certification. It proves the class prepared them for higher-level classes. When employers see that certification on LinkedIn profiles, they know HPU students know their stuff.

Great companies build success on stellar customer service. That’s the mindset of HPU’s professors. Who are their customers? Students.

a traveler who likes to explore. I have enough education and foundation now that I can really go anywhere with my career.”

“Go to High Point University because it takes a very individualized approach to its students, ensuring that each and every one is cared about,” says Caleb Connerty, ’17, vice president of operations at Cogent Analytics.

“What we say to students is ‘Please treat every class you’re in as if it was your job at the company where you work,’” says Hall. “We want to develop habits of professionalism now, so they’re automatic when students are in the workforce.”

“One of the critical things HPU does well is to come alongside you where you are today and help you through the maturing process in college. The professors and the school will fuel your fire,” he says.

Practice Makes Professionalism

Lynch agrees.

“Students hear their stories,” says Hall. “They hear their challenges. They learn about different dynamic fields and how they’ve stayed

“Accounting gave me the foundation,” she says. “At heart, I’m

Working-world lessons get reinforced in other ways. Industry leaders deliver lectures in the Business Speaker Series.

LIFE SKILLS

HPU offers students numerous opportunities to earn startup funds for their businesses. At the recent Elevator Pitch Competition, two products tied for first place and won $5,000 each. Pictured on the left are competition judge Teena Piccione and first-place winner Alexander Malyszko, who created Your Personal Jeweler. Pictured on the right are Addison Antico, competition judge Wes Griffin and Jordan Rubin. Antico and Rubin, also first-place winners, created MJ Bottle.

innovative. The business school also has a mentor directory filled with alumni members who have agreed to do informational interviews with students.” The real-world drumbeat plays out in experiential ways, too. In the Entrepreneurship Club, students pitch new product ideas to business leaders. “The entire process of running a team, working with advisors, connecting with business people, and stepping into a leadership position has allowed me to grow as a person and a businessman,” says the club’s co-president Ryan Kenneally, a senior international business major from Houston, Texas. “Being president was a life-changing experience I did not expect to have in college.” In the Professional Selling Club, students role-play video sales calls with executives.

LIFE SKILLS

“You’re put into real-life circumstances,” says senior entrepreneurship major Natalie Triggiano. “We dress in business attire for every club meeting. That holds students to a higher standard. It teaches professional world expectations.” The Floyd T. Craven Investment Club manages its own stock market portfolio. “The unknown is important to get comfortable with,” says Will Kong, a finance major. “Predicting potential price drops and increases fascinates me, and so does the math and logic behind why we do what we do.” Networking plays a leading role in and out of class. Kong found he could contact alumni during his internship and job search. HPU business students routinely intern at companies like Wells Fargo, Google, Amazon and Coca-Cola

Consolidated. They also land jobs at employers such as Walt Disney, Ernst & Young, Vanguard and Lenovo. “That availability to reach out to people was eye-opening,” he says. Best of all, studying business at HPU opens unexpected avenues of opportunity.

The Path to Success “My mom always told me, ‘Keep all doors open,’” recalls Kenneally. Those entryways open even wider at the accounting department’s annual career event. “It’s become a students’ market,” says Noxon, “and we’ve taken advantage of it.” Accounting giants like PriceWaterhouseCoopers and KPMG attend on-campus career fairs, and many students have

landed jobs with these firms in Boston, Atlanta, New York and Charlotte. Sales and marketing students have their own career fair on campus, too. IBM and GE call HPU one of their prime recruiting spots, according to Larry Quinn, chair of the Department of Marketing and Sales and director of the Professional Selling Program. Senior Francesca Riehl, the president of the Professional Selling Club, helps run the event. “I care about supporting students and getting them those jobs and internships,” she says. “Being a great sales leader takes dedication, determination and passion.” Quinn has seen his department grow in seven years from a handful to more than 650 students majoring in sales and marketing. “When students leave our selling program, they have life skills,” he says. “They have overcome self-consciousness. They have developed the strong confidence and poise to make high-stakes sales calls with executives who need to make a decision that could make or break their company or careers.” The bottom line? The faculty love to see students succeed. “My happiest moments come when one of my kids has been dreaming about a job and comes to me and says, ‘I got it!’” says Noxon. “Our goal is to get you a great career,” adds Quinn. “That’s why HPU’s business school suits its students to a T.”

Go to High Point University because it takes a very individualized approach to its students, ensuring that each and every one is cared about. One of the critical things HPU does well is to come alongside you where you are today and help you through the maturing process in college.” Caleb Connerty,

How Selling and Soccer Propelled Me Forward By Scott Weigels, ’21

Finance Major, Sales Minor, from Middletown, New Jersey, now working at GE Healthcare

I discovered HPU for its Division I soccer program, but from the day I interviewed as a high school senior, I knew my decision was bigger than that. At HPU, it seemed the world was my oyster. You don’t need to go into sales to know how important selling is. Regardless of your first job after college, you’ll probably have a customer-facing position. You’ll have to network and communicate your value to build your brand. I figured that out and saw the value of joining the Professional Selling Club as a freshman. I found myself in an environment where people wanted to be successful. People were open to learning. People went above and beyond, and not just in class. They spent time after hours with professors building relationships, asking questions and molding who they were. The best gift the selling club gave me was meeting recruiters within my first year. The recruiters were blown away I was there. At most universities, they don’t see students until they’re at least juniors. It built my confidence. I learned what they wanted in a candidate. I got comfortable with the process. By the time I was a junior, I’d attended six focused career fairs. I’d spoken with every recruiter. By the time I wanted my first internship, recruiters had gotten to know me for three years. Today I work for GE Healthcare. I’m in their two-year Commercial Leadership Program. It teaches recruits leadership skills so they can take over $10 million sales accounts. Playing goalie and going to HPU taught me two things. First, as HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein says, there are no unrealistic dreams, just unrealistic timelines. Second, learn how to communicate and carry yourself in stressful moments. Communication is key.

’17, Vice President of Operations at Cogent Analytics

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INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Ensured From Fox News to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, HPU graduates of the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication are prepared to stand out.

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At her Busch Gardens internship, event management major Veronica Hutfles supervised two dozen employees. Danny Shay, a sports media major, gave a tour of HPU’s new basketball arena to iconic Boston Globe Columnist Bob Ryan. And journalism major Courtney Leopold landed her first job before graduation at Fox News in New York City. Students in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication are busy. They learn from industry leaders like Byron Pitts, co-anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline” and HPU’s Journalist in Residence;

Bob Ryan, Boston Globe Columnist and HPU’s Sports Reporter in Residence, was interviewed by junior Danny Shay for HPU’s Access to Innovators podcast.

I came to HPU for a more personal approach and small classes. When I took the introduction course for event management, it opened my eyes to all of the avenues in the industry.” Veronica Hutfles,

’23, Event Management Major from Toano, Virginia

the heartstrings of her professors. Byron Pitts, co-anchor of “Nightline” on ABC News, is HPU’s Journalist in Residence.

and Cynt Marshall, Dallas Mavericks CEO and HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence. They choose from majors that represent all aspects of the industry, and they dive into hands-on projects and real-world opportunities that take them all over the country to achieve their dreams. Their standout resumes and success stories are no coincidence. They are the result of intentional planning from professors and leaders on campus.

The Fox News Booker Leopold’s LinkedIn post said it all. She wrote it the week before her HPU graduation in 2018, and it still pulls

It reads: “After graduating from High Point University, I accepted an offer to be a production assistant for the Fox Business Network show ‘Kennedy.’ Hard work, perseverance and the support of my incredible mentors at HPU got me here. I’m so excited for this next chapter in my favorite city at a phenomenal company.” Three years later, Leopold is accelerating within the Fox News organization. She’s a booker for “America Reports,” a daytime broadcast that airs every weekday. “She’s sharp,” says Dr. Bobby Hayes, chair and assistant professor of journalism. “Courtney came to me as a freshman and told me she wanted to work in journalism in New York City as soon as she graduated. ‘OK,’ I told her. ‘Let’s get to work.’”

In March of Leopold’s senior year, a Fox News hiring manager asked her to fly to New York for an interview on the same day she was supposed to take a final exam. Hayes helped Leopold rearrange her exam schedule so she could book her flight and show the hiring manager how HPU had prepared her. “I’ll forever be grateful he did that for me, because that’s when I landed my job,” says Leopold.

Trailblazers Transform Students Leopold graduated with a long list of impressive experiences on her resume. She served as a production assistant at NBCUniversal Media, NBC Sports Boston and Raycom Sports. She also gained experience in social media and marketing positions. Professors like Hayes and Joe Michaels, HPU’s Broadcaster in Residence, help make stories like Leopold’s possible. Michaels directed NBC’s “TODAY” show for more than 20 years, and Hayes is a veteran reporter. They work to bring other veterans to campus like Ryan, the famed former Boston Globe sports columnist and regular contributor to ESPN’s “Around the Horn.” Ryan serves as HPU’s Sports Reporter in Residence and regularly mentors students on campus. He speaks to classes, has lunch with students and attends HPU basketball games during his visits to campus. During his recent visit, Hayes had an idea. In addition to Ryan working with students in class, he asked some of his best students to tour Ryan around HPU’s new basketball arena. Shay, a junior from Long Island, New York, was one of those students. LIFE SKILLS

school’s fastest growing majors and minors, the opportunities are abundant, too.

Experience Required? No Problem. “Event management is its own major in the communication school?” That’s a question Hutfles asked excitedly when she heard about HPU’s program. At most schools, event management is rolled into other programs. But not at HPU, a campus known for hosting large-scale, high-quality events throughout the year. “I couldn’t believe it, even when it was happening,” says Shay, who calls games and helps produce content on ESPN+ for HPU’s Division I teams. On what seemed like a regular day, Shay and classmate Ava Sames met Ryan inside the new Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. They showed the behind-the-scenes operations of the new facility to Ryan, who’s seen some of the most impressive basketball arenas in the country. When they got to the basketball court, NCAA Championship-winning Coach Tubby Smith, former head coach of HPU’s Men’s Basketball team, waved Ryan over. It’s the same arena where Shay helps HPU SportsLink, a student club that operates media

production for HPU’s Division I athletic teams. “To see these two legends talking on HPU’s basketball court, where I spend so much of my time and get so much experience, reminded me why I came to HPU in the first place,” says Shay. “There are opportunities for students on this campus that you don’t find at other schools.” Constant commitment to hands-on projects and industry connections gives students a long list of accomplishments that stand out to employers. Consider a sampling of what Shay can already include on his resume. He’s a podcast creator and host, and an anchor for “HPU Vision,” a series of student-produced shows. For event management, one of the

“I came to HPU for a more personal approach and small classes,” says Hutfles, a junior from Toano, Virginia. “When I took the introduction course for event management, it opened my eyes to all of the avenues in the industry.” From festivals and concerts to corporate events and tradeshows, HPU students learn to tackle them all while finding their focus in the industry. Hutfles is pursuing festivals and concerts, while senior Rebecca Finch wants to land her first job in corporate event planning. As a park operations business intern at Busch Gardens, Hutfles found herself managing 25 seasonal employees every day and helping with special concerts. Her

HPU gave me such a great group of people to help navigate where I wanted to go in this industry. It’s just kept growing from there. The school really is your launch pad.” Courtney Leopold,

’18, Booker on Fox News’ “America Reports”

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employees ranged in age from teenager to 50+, and her responsibility was to ensure those employees and the attractions they operated worked efficiently. “I got my steps in every day,” Hutfles says with a chuckle. “I learned to work with a wide range of people and figure out how to accomplish something together.” Finch interned for Special Olympics of North Carolina, where she spearheaded the creation of a “Workout of the Day” for inclusion at CrossFit facilities across the state. She cold-called facilities to join the program, which was offered over the span of a few months and raised $15,000. “I love that I was able to be part of Special Olympics and connect with this amazing new community,” says Finch, who is also the president of On Point Planning, HPU’s studentrun event management club. “I have so much knowledge heading into the workforce because I’ve seen how much it takes to actually execute real events.” Now Finch and Hutfles have incredible experiences on their resumes, too, from event manager, to supervisor and fundraiser. Like Leopold, they’ll look back on their HPU experience one day and remember how it started. “HPU gave me such a great group of people to help navigate where I wanted to go in this industry,” says Leopold. “It’s just kept growing from there. The school really is your launch pad.”

MAJORS YOU WON’T FIND ELSEWHERE

Event and hospitality management are done differently at HPU. Two different majors with endless opportunity for graduates.

And no, the pandemic hasn’t hurt job prospects, both professors are quick to point out.

That’s how Brianna Clark, assistant professor of event management, and Marisa Ritter, assistant professor of hospitality management, think of their programs.

In fact, there are more jobs available than people to work in the industries right now.

Both majors are relatively new and growing quickly at High Point University, where the staff have long been known for their commitment to hospitality, impressive events and a caring culture. “Hospitality is very customer based and offers broad positions, from hotels and restaurants, to theme parks and cruises,” says Ritter, who has decades of experience in the hospitality industry. “Sometimes these same types of businesses employ event managers,” says Clark. “For event management, we’re focused on preparing students to oversee the process and execution of people coming together for a specific experience. The two majors have a lot to offer each other, and we each have our own specialties as well.”

“There is an abundance of opportunity,” says Clark. “Sectors include tradeshows and conference services, gaming, national parks, spas, front-facing general manager positions, food and beverage positions, and even sales and marketing positions.” Madison Ryan, ’21, an event management graduate, is the outcome that Clark works toward. Ryan began her career as a guest relations coordinator at MercedesBenz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, right after graduation. “All of my professors pushed me to be my best self and taught me not to cut any corners with any tasks,” says Ryan. “The amount of support I received from Dr. Clark was amazing. She always asked how my job search process was going from the time it began to the time that I accepted a position. I am so incredibly thankful for her and her guidance.”

An event management major is rare, usually grouped within recreation or hospitality programs at other universities.

With the first class of hospitality majors arriving in fall 2022, Ryan models the result of hard work that Ritter will help other students achieve.

“Our program is unique in that it doesn’t live under recreation or hospitality, and that lets us offer focused paths, such as corporate event planning or festivals,” says Clark.

“It’s also 100% global,” says Ritter. “If you want to work in Singapore hotels, the gaming industry in Japan or on cruise ships that travel all over the world, there are opportunities for you.” LIFE SKILLS

UNPRECEDENTED

ACCESS TO

Innovators

Companies invest millions of dollars each year for employees to attend conferences and engage in professional development programs. High Point University has built this into the four-year academic journey, compressing time for graduates and helping them stand out from the competition in job and graduate school interviews. What does that look like? Imagine being an HPU student who is literally surrounded by titans from major industries on their campus almost every day. You’ll find the CEO of Domino’s, the co-founder of Netflix, the genius behind Apple Computer or a dozen other notable leaders regularly engaging with and mentoring students on campus as part of HPU’s Access to Innovators Program. On these pages, explore how change agents have enhanced the transformational journey of HPU students. Follow the QR code paired with each innovator for an inside look at their involvement on campus. And keep your eyes open when you visit HPU – you never know what celebrity you might see!

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Dr. John C. Maxwell

Internationally Renowned Leadership Expert and Bestselling Author

HPU’s Executive Coach in Residence Maxwell is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, coach, speaker and pastor who has sold more than 31 million books in 50 languages. Maxwell has trained more than 5 million leaders globally. He speaks each year to Fortune 500 companies, presidents of nations and many of the world’s top business leaders. Now, he meets with and mentors HPU students, sharing his life experience and leadership lessons.

Maxwell’s advice to HPU students: See more of Maxwell’s shared wisdom in this video.

“Everyone asks me, ‘Are people born to be leaders, or can they learn to become one?’ That’s the wrong question. Everyone is a leader. The question should be, ‘What kind of a leader am I, and am I continuing to develop as that leader?’”

Dean Cain

Actor, Producer, Television Presenter and Former Professional Football Player

HPU’s Actor in Residence Cain is known for playing the role of Clark Kent/Superman in the TV series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” plus many other movie and television roles. He’s well established and multifaceted. A former football star at Princeton University, he transitioned to film when an injury ended his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills. He brings incredible experience and knowledge in the entertainment business to help students across all majors not only grow their skill set, but to also stay grounded in their values.

Cain’s advice to HPU students: “The best advice I ever got – and it’s the best advice I’d give anybody – is just don’t believe the word ‘no.’ Be persistent. Persevere. Keep going. Never, ever, ever give up.”

Watch Superman himself share advice in a sit-down interview with HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein.

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Dee Ann Turner

Former Vice President for Talent at Chick-fil-A

HPU’s Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence Turner is a two-time bestselling author and acclaimed keynote speaker. Chick-fil-A Inc. selected Turner as their first female officer in 2001. She served as vice president of talent and vice president of sustainability for Chick-fil-A prior to her retirement in 2018 and worked for the company for a total of 33 years. She was instrumental in building and growing Chick-fil-A’s well-known culture and talent systems. Turner brings expert knowledge of what employers are looking for in new hires, and she mentors students one-on-one.

Turner’s advice to HPU students: “The skills you’re learning at HPU are the ones employers are looking for. Pay attention and grow those life skills HPU emphasizes. They will take you far.”

Gain more lessons in leadership from Turner.

Byron Pitts

Co-Anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline”

HPU’s Journalist in Residence Pitts, co-anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline,” is widely known for his thoughtful storytelling, on-the-ground reporting and in-depth interviews. He has covered national news stories and in-depth features for ABC, reporting across the news division on programs such as “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “This Week” and “20/20.” An Emmy Award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience, Pitts now works with HPU students across all majors on the art of storytelling and clear communication.

Pitts’ advice to HPU students:

Watch Pitts interact with students.

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“You’re in an incredibly nurturing environment. You’re getting an incredible education, and you’re getting prepared for the world. Know that you will be better equipped than other students, but I would still encourage you to read as much as possible, write as often as you can and know that you are enough.”

Russell Weiner CEO of Domino’s Pizza

HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence As leader of the world’s largest pizza brand, Weiner oversees the global centers of excellence teams responsible for marketing operations, store growth and development, franchise relations, analytics and insights, and e-commerce in the U.S. His impact on the true reshaping of the Domino’s brand during the past decade has been tremendous.

Weiner’s advice to HPU students:

Enjoy more mentorship moments from the Domino’s CEO.

“Pursue what you’re passionate about, not what you think you’re ‘supposed’ to do. It’s okay to try things and then check them off your list if you don’t like them. You don’t have to commit to something because you’ve already invested time. That time is valuable because it helped you decide what you don’t like.”

Bob Ryan

Famed Boston Globe Sportswriter

HPU’s Sports Reporter in Residence Ryan has been writing for The Boston Globe since 1968, covering all of Boston’s sports teams. He still publishes regularly, is a panelist on ESPN’s Sunday morning roundtable, “The Sports Reporters,” and has been described as the “quintessential American sportswriter” and a basketball guru. Ryan is well-known for his coverage of the Boston Celtics during the 1970s, and he has received many awards and honors over the years. Most recently in 2015, he received the PEN/ESPN Lifetime Achievement Award for Literary Sports Writing. Ryan works closely with students on the art of communicating and storytelling.

Ryan’s advice to HPU students: “No matter how the message is disseminated, everything still starts with proper speaking, writing, communication and a respect for the language. Essentially, the people who succeed the best are the people who know how to communicate, and that starts inside your brain.”

Watch a special Q&A with HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein and Bob Ryan.

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HPU ATHLETE

ACHIEVES

success IN DENTISTRY From the lacrosse field to dental school, Dr. Richard Byrd, ’16, discovered his foundation for lifelong success at HPU. Today, he’s known as Dr. Richard Byrd. Back at HPU, he was known as #3 jersey. A midfielder for men’s lacrosse, Byrd graduated from HPU in 2016. Four years later, he graduated again, this time from one of the top-ranked dentistry schools in the country – The University of Michigan. His next stop? Howard University for a specialization in orthodontics. Each step is part of Byrd’s journey to becoming an orthodontist. But the university that started it all? That’s High Point University.

Enter HPU Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Jon Torpey. Torpey had seen Byrd play during his senior year of high school and invited him to a camp in Maryland. It was on his car ride home from that camp when Byrd got an email from Torpey extending an offer to join the HPU team. Lacrosse was a passion of Byrd’s, but not his end goal. He was excited by the prospect of playing but needed to make sure his undergraduate years would set him on a path to the medical field.

Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Byrd grew up sure of two things: his love of lacrosse and his plans to pursue a role in medicine.

A little research and a visit to HPU confirmed his hopes. HPU was a place where he could grow as an athlete, a student and a person who would stand out when it came time to compete for a spot in graduate school.

When it was time to select a university, he was hopeful to find one that accommodated both.

His next step was meeting the mentors and discovering the support system that would be there.

High Hopes Meet High Point University

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Deciding on Dental School It wasn’t long after arriving at HPU that his decision to pursue dental school became clear. It was even less time before Byrd found his campus mentors. Torpey quickly became his mentor both on and off the field. As a member of the HPU Men’s Lacrosse team, Byrd learned the values of hard work, teamwork and resilience from Torpey. “He instilled in me and solidified a sense of hard work and the grit it takes to be successful in any field,” says Byrd. “Playing lacrosse at HPU gave me a will to work harder than others to get where I want to be.” Torpey was a motivator for Byrd. He reminded Byrd and his teammates constantly about the importance of working for something bigger than oneself. That passion and love of putting

others first inspired Byrd’s career path. He wanted to perform life-changing work and build relationships with patients. Orthodontics offered that opportunity. Byrd knew that’s where he needed to be. With a set career goal, Byrd soon found mentors in the classroom to help carve his academic path. Looking at course offerings, he realized he was interested in psychology. But how would that play into his goals for dental school? Would a major in psychology allow him to stand out in a competitive dental school application process? Dr. Jana Spain, professor of psychology, had the answers. Spain worked with Byrd to chart a path. The psychology major covered all of the foundations he would need for dental school. And yes, he would be more than prepared. Byrd also minored in biology. That’s how he fell under the mentorship of Associate Professor Dr. Kelli Sapp. Sapp guided Byrd through his undergraduate years, made sure he stayed on top of his dental school requirements, and when the time came, wrote Byrd a letter of recommendation. Six years after graduating from HPU, Byrd still smiles when he thinks about his HPU mentors — the conversations during their office hours, the letters written for him and the time spent making sure he always felt confident in his academic path. And though it’s been six years since he last coached Byrd, Torpey is still his biggest cheerleader.

When Byrd graduated from dental school, he didn’t celebrate alone. Torpey was right there with him, calling with congratulations and sharing the news on the HPU Men’s Lacrosse team’s social media accounts.

time management, empathy, perseverance and selflessness helped me succeed.”

“To have that kind of support and motivation…that’s priceless,” says Byrd.

During his four years spent there, Byrd carried the life lessons instilled by HPU with him every step of the way. Dental school wasn’t easy. Deciding to take his career a step further and become an orthodontist meant once again applying to challenging programs.

Campus Lessons to Carry You Forward With the help of Torpey, Spain and Sapp, Byrd had a plan. Support from professors in biology, psychology and chemistry armed him with the skills needed to meet dental school admissions standards. More than that, the HPU community provided him with skills and an outlook on life he knew would set him apart during dental school interviews. “A lot of what made me attractive to dental schools was what I’d learned at HPU,” says Byrd. “Understanding how to master communication and knowing the values of teamwork, hard work,

Byrd was confident but humble. The outcome? Admission to his top choice for dental school.

Yet, he did it. Now, Howard University is his new home. “A lot of what I know now, I learned through High Point University,” he says. “I’ve failed plenty and been through strenuous tests and trials that could break a person down, but I’ve been able to work through them. That comes from the attitude I developed at HPU. I was empowered, strengthened and motivated, and I always come back to that mentality.”

A lot of what made me attractive to dental schools was what I’d learned at HPU. Understanding how to master communication and knowing the values of teamwork, hard work, time management, empathy, perseverance and selflessness helped me succeed.” Richard Byrd,

a 2016 HPU graduate who earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Michigan and is now pursuing a specialization in orthodontics at Howard University

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ME, YOU &

HPU How one couple found themselves and each other on the High Point University campus

An early morning breakfast at High Point University’s Silver Line Diner was part of Deanna Lee’s routine during her undergraduate years at High Point University. Each morning, Ms. Kathy at the register would grin and tell her, “Deanna, there’s a guy who always comes in after you and gets the same meal. We all think you two would be perfect for each other. His name is John.” Other dining team members would chime in and affirm Ms. Kathy’s matchmaking beliefs. You can still hear a smile in Deanna’s voice when she remembers those days. She loved the dining ladies’ persistence. “They would tell me about how nice he was,” she says. “They

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Deanna Lee Clemmer, ̛18, and John “Jack” Clemmer, ̛17, met as students at High Point University. They began dating thanks to the encouragement of HPU Dining team members.

couldn’t believe we never crossed paths at breakfast.” Deanna didn’t know a “John,” but she had been friends with Jack Clemmer for nearly two years. Somehow in all that time, they had never discussed their full, legal names.

Jack’s Story John “Jack” Clemmer, just “Jack” to his friends, came to HPU from Baltimore, Maryland.

frequently about patriotism and how hard work, personal initiative, faith, gratitude and an entrepreneurial spirit built the nation. American flags cover campus, and HPU proudly hosts an Annual Veterans Day Celebration honoring thousands of military members and their families. Jack was hooked. During that same visit, he met with professors in the history department. That sealed the deal. “HPU checked all the boxes,” he says.

Jack visited HPU and learned of the school’s values and the strong ROTC Program.

The history department became Jack’s refuge. Drs. Frederick Schneid, Phillip Mulder and Paul Ringel were the engaging educators and motivators he needed. They taught him essential life skills like time management that have lifted him to where he is today.

HPU is a God, family and country school. President Nido Qubein talks

Jack graduated from HPU in 2017 and is now a captain in the U.S.

A military career was always part of his plan. He needed the education and program that could get him there.

Army. He’s a logistician, meaning he manages the flow of expendable resources like water, fuel and ammunition from the base to deployed environments. Being in the military requires determination, organization and discipline. “I went to high school with so many promising students who had the smarts but had never lived in an adult world where they were in charge of their own time,” he says. “They struggled because of that. I learned it at HPU.” Deanna has a similar story. As a biology major, her field of study differed from Jack’s, but the experiential learning that prepared her for a successful career was the same.

Deanna’s Story When Deanna came from Arizona to study at HPU, she didn’t think of herself as a scholarly researcher. Today, she’s a senior research support specialist at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, and has worked on various research projects from HIV to the COVID-19 virus. She heard about HPU during a college fair at her high school and scheduled a visit. While the history department sealed the deal for Jack in choosing HPU, Deanna will smile and admit that for her, “It was the food.” Then, more seriously, she’ll tell you: “You get on campus, and you feel like you can grow here, learn here and build long-lasting relationships. It’s a family atmosphere.” Deanna had three core mentors on campus: Dr. Veronica Segarra, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Kirsten Li-Barber, associate

professor of psychology; and Dr. Angela Bauer, former chair of the biology department and current vice president of academic affairs. “Having mentors, especially women in STEM, who were guiding me through my interests and pushing me to my goals, was incredibly pivotal in my journey,” says Deanna. They encouraged her to take advantage of the research opportunities on campus early and often. Deanna listened.

Deanna remembers standing in line with her new roommate to order food at The Point, HPU’s sports grill. Two guys behind her struck up a conversation. One was talking heavily about the Roman Civilization, and Deanna was intrigued. It wasn’t the kind of conversation you hear often, and she knew instantly she liked this guy. She’ll laugh now and admit that she didn’t talk to him. She just stared and listened.

She joined Research Rookies, a program designed to engage new students in research. Later, she took part in HPU’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program in the Sciences (SuRPS).

He noticed the stare and turned the conversation to Deanna. The two sets of friends had dinner together that night.

“SuRPS provided me with the foundational skills in laboratory research that I still actively use in my research career today,” she says.

“But it wasn’t until two years later that we actually started dating,” says Jack.

Then, there was the HPU Pep Band. She formed a family with the members, and it became her outlet for fun. “At HPU, there’s a vast amount of variety in the people and so many opportunities to get involved,” she says. “Whether it’s a band or a club, or even just being part of the biology department, there are leadership opportunities.” Deanna says growing her campus circle strengthened her communication skills and taught her how to stay calm in situations where people don’t always agree. But most of all, it gave her a close-knit group of friends. The closest of those friends was Jack.

Getting to “The Point” Jack met Deanna on the first night of her freshman year. He was a sophomore.

Then comes the “but.”

They formed such a great friendship that they were afraid to risk it by dating. It was during those two years that Ms. Kathy at the diner was determined Deanna and Jack should meet. Little did she know, they were already close friends. When Jack reached his senior year and Deanna was a junior, Deanna knew time was running out. It was her final year with Jack on campus. So, she took the risk and asked him out. The two got married in 2019. Deanna Lee is now Deanna Clemmer, and along the way, she learned that Jack’s legal name is actually “John.” Before graduating from HPU, the two had a day where their schedules lined up and allowed a breakfast together. When they arrived at the diner hand-in-hand, Ms. Kathy was ecstatic. “I knew it,” she told them. “I just knew it.” LIFE SKILLS

THINslices Students dressed in professional attire and carried tailored resumes at HPU’s Career Expo. HPU’s Office of Career and Professional Development organizes the networking event each semester to help students land a job or internship. Companies in attendance included Coca-Cola Consolidated, Northwestern Mutual, Volvo and more.

HPU hosted the inaugural Home Furnishings Leadership Institute at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. The event honored 25 emerging leaders in the furniture industry, each nominated and selected by a committee. The selected candidates attended professional development workshops led by faculty from HPU’s Earl N. Phillips School of Business and Nido R. Qubein School of Communication.

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HPU’s new School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health welcomed Dr. Rick Workman as the Dental Innovator in Residence. Workman is the founder of Heartland Dental and has practiced dentistry for nearly 20 years. He joins a long list of faculty in residence as part of the Access to Innovators Program at HPU.

HPU Class of 2021 graduate Joseph Voglino joined Merrill Lynch as an investment specialist focusing on service to sales with existing clients. Voglino says HPU helped him choose a career path and gain real-world experience prior to graduation.

The Strickland Women’s L.I.F.T (Leading and Inspiring Female Trailblazers) Fellowship Program welcomed its inaugural group of students this year. L.I.F.T provides networking, leadership development, mentorship and coaching for female students who want to lead in their careers. The students have enjoyed a variety of networking and teambuilding experiences throughout the year.

HPU students conducted six statewide public opinion polls throughout the academic year inside the Survey Research Center, HPU’s on-campus polling center. The SRC gives students the opportunity to strengthen their communication skills by calling North Carolinians and administering polls on a variety of topics, as well as experience in compiling and analyzing data.

As part of a final project, HPU students traveled to the state legislature in Raleigh to lobby for issues they researched during the fall semester. Students in Dr. Brandon Lenoir’s Campaigns course identified lawmakers who would support or oppose their issue before the trip.

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VALUES-BASED EDUCATION High Point University is among the John Templeton Foundation’s Top 100 Colleges that Encourage Character Development. It is in our DNA to graduate learned young people whose lives are grounded in sound moral decision-making and framed with good character. HPU is a values-based institution. As HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein reminds faculty and staff, “You can’t teach values. Instead, we must model a values-based approach to life. Students watch, they listen and they learn.” Faculty and staff model the values of service, joy, generosity, gratitude and respect because they know that students pay attention to the actions of those around them. As part of that, HPU is dedicated to values-based and service-learning opportunities both on and off campus. Students, faculty and staff volunteer more than 110,000 hours each year. One such event, the Annual Veterans Day Celebration, brings over 1,200 local veterans and their families to campus to honor those who have served our nation. The artistic rendering to the right depicts the moment HPU students give blankets to every veteran in attendance. The blanket symbolizes the warmth and comfort veterans have secured for all Americans. When students are surrounded by people who have a positive attitude, they begin to understand that nothing is impossible for the individual who is willing to work hard enough and smart enough. And when students graduate and pursue professional careers, they go on to lead lives of success, but also significance.

When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier. ” Roy E. Disney of The Walt Disney Company

This quote is inscribed on HPU’s Kester International Promenade.

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HPU’S

VALUES-BASED Learning Model

In a world where values are often undervalued, High Point University is proud to be a God, family and country school. Customer reviews are everywhere. From shopping for online products, to searching for your next favorite show or trying to select the hotel for your family vacation — people turn to reviews when making important decisions by seeking the opinions of those who have gone before us.

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On a recent social media thread, the parent of a high school student asked current HPU parents a simple question: “Why did your family choose HPU?” Positive answers flooded the thread, ranging from life skills to safety. But a resounding number of parents echoed the same sentiment: “It’s the school’s values for us,” said Jami Allyn, mother of twins Sophie and Jack Allyn, both Class of 2026. “The belief in God, family and country,” answered Denise Jones, mom of Christopher Jones, ’25. “Beliefs, mindset and attitude. God, family and country. There’s no other school providing the total experience offered at High Point University,” added Christopher Schmauch, father of Courtney Schmauch from Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Parents spend 18 years raising their children and instilling values. Why would they invest in an education that’s going to deconstruct those years of dedication? “At High Point University, we don’t weed students out of the system.

We weave them into the family,” says HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. That’s the key. HPU is committed to fostering values in a family atmosphere.

Heroes, Models, Mentors It begins at HPU’s Move-In Weekend for freshmen, where upperclassmen volunteer to unload vehicles and seamlessly transport students’ belongings to their new home. Without the stress of navigating the move-in process, families get to soak up this milestone, while new students experience the giving nature of their campus family for the first time. That weekend concludes with Convocation, a ceremony led by Qubein marking the official start of the academic year. There, freshmen receive a blanket that symbolizes warmth and comfort. Qubein asks them to share it with someone who has impacted their life and brought them to the start of their college journey. For students, it’s the first official lesson in gratitude at HPU. Many more will follow.

Values-Based Learning (n): An environment that reinforces personal values while also surrounding students with mentors who model service, joy, generosity, gratitude, respect, personal initiative and patriotism, among others. Graduating students who are not only prepared to achieve success in life, but who are also dedicated to finding significance. A teaching philosophy that prepares not only the mind, but the heart and soul. A belief that in order to make effective decisions, leaders must have a foundation on which they stand.

A Family Weekend Like No Other Each semester, HPU invites families to take part in a fun-filled, complimentary Family Weekend on campus. From major concerts and basketball games in the new Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena, to free food and entertainment across campus, the university transforms to welcome families with an experience they’ll never forget. HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein provides an update on the university, and the audience is packed as parents appreciate his lessons in leadership and his exciting announcements about HPU’s future. Photo opportunities fill almost every corner of campus, and families leave with memories that last a lifetime.

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Students Become EXTRAORDINARY Leaders

Skills of civility, gratitude, service and leadership cannot be taught in a lecture hall. They must be modeled. At High Point University, they’re modeled by staff, students and even HPU families. People rise to the level of their environment and become the same as those who surround them. At HPU, students are surrounded by heroes, models and mentors on a campus that inspires students to think about the world at large. In turn, students become leaders who understand what it means to lead lives of success and significance. HPU recognizes the students who model these values by presenting monthly Extraordinary Leader Awards. Students are nominated and reviewed by HPU faculty and staff for their contributions to campus. Below is a glimpse at just a few of these student leaders from the 2021-2022 school year.

Amirah Darnaby

Class of 2021 Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Darnaby held various leadership roles on campus and completed multiple internships as an undergraduate, including one with NASA. Today, she’s pursuing her master’s in communication and business leadership at HPU while also working full-time for Booz Allen Hamilton, an information technology and services firm, as a general management consultant. “HPU is a nurturing and inspiring environment. It is a place where you truly develop life skills that are essential to thriving in the post-graduate world and leaving an impactful legacy.”

Craig Spell Class of 2022 Hillsborough, North Carolina Spell has taken on numerous leadership roles such as student government representative for the American Marketing Association. In his on-campus job as an athletic communications assistant in HPU’s Department of Athletics, he helps show new student workers the landscape when they come on board. He’s a class leader on the Senior Leadership Cabinet and a first-generation student mentor, giving back and mentoring underclassmen who, like him, are the first ones in their family to go to a four-year university. “What makes HPU special is how the education goes beyond the classroom. While the lectures are wonderful, the relationships beyond that are what become meaningful. I talk to friends at other institutions about their huge classes with 200+ people, and I can’t even imagine it. Every one of my professors has known me on a first-name basis. It’s things like this that set HPU apart. And it goes far beyond professors — like Ms. C in the diner, who knows me by name and greets me with a smile every time I pick up my lunch. You just don’t get that at other places.”

Bri Rivero Class of 2022 King of Prussia, Pennsylvania Rivero has made a positive impact on the HPU community in her roles as an assistant resident director, title IX vice president, fundraising chair for her sorority’s Dance Marathon and the Student Government Association’s chief justice. “This prestigious university has helped me realize what my values are and how to be a strong leader in my community. I am not just a number at High Point University but part of a family filled with support and love from professors, staff and peers. This has grown me into the person I am today and improved my ability to be independent and more confident.”

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During their first week of classes, freshmen take part in a bike build. As a teamwork exercise, they work together to assemble more than 100 bicycles, which they then present to local elementary students. They go on to take part in the First-Year Seminar on Life Skills led by Qubein and fellow global leaders he knows, such as Russell Weiner, the CEO of Domino’s and HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence. Students learn the importance of values in their life, such as faith, generosity and civility, along with life skills lessons on leadership, time management, fiscal literacy, persuasive presentations and more. In their day-to-day time on campus, they are surrounded by people who care. Kiosks throughout campus include staff members who hand students a complimentary water bottle or snack on their way to class during a hot day. The Office of Student Life communicates with their families if they’re sick. And Success Coaches guide freshmen through the transition to college. By receiving, they learn to give.

A Campus that Coaches And for the next four years, students take what they learn and apply it. They practice those values when they volunteer at the Annual Veterans Day Celebration and welcome more than 1,200 veterans and their families to campus for a spectacular event honoring their service. They understand the importance of service when they

take part in more than 30 community projects on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And when they walk down the Kester International Promenade, they see inspirational quotes stamped in the pavement and sculptures of historical figures lining their path. They learn the magnitude of a single person’s impact on the world. Yes, High Point University’s campus is beautiful. But more than that, it’s intentional. It isn’t about the beautiful fountains on campus, it’s about faith. It isn’t about receiving, it’s about giving. It isn’t about the kiosks, it’s about connections. HPU has a beautiful campus, and the cynical eye may reduce it all to opulence. But it isn’t about opulence. It’s about opportunity. The people who recognize that best, even before their student graduates, are HPU parents.

Connections with Global Leaders Students evolve and ultimately become a reflection of the people who surround them. At High Point University, students are surrounded by teams of leaders who model the values fostered at HPU, including Dr. John C. Maxwell. An internationally known speaker, life coach and pastor, Maxwell serves as HPU’s Executive Coach in Residence. He works with students to raise them up, motivate them as leaders and encourage their dreams. He’s drawn to mentor students at HPU because he, too, feeds off the energy of campus. “Who we are is who we attract,” says Maxwell. “High Point University attracts high caliber students because this is an environment that’s very conducive for growth, for learning, for success — for literally being extraordinary. I’m always excited to be at High Point University because I meet people who are making a positive difference in the world.”

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Parents Appreciate HPU’s Values John and Carrie Beth Guglielmi have watched their daughter, Jodi Guglielmi, ’15, grow into a confident and successful woman, accomplishing her career goals as an editor for People Magazine in New York City. But more importantly, they were glad to find a college where their daughter stayed grounded in the morals they taught her so she became not only successful, but a good person, too.

Carrie Beth and John Guglielmi are the parents of Jodi Guglielmi, ’15, editor at People Magazine.

“When searching for a school, we knew that God was important, country was important and family was important,” says John Guglielmi. “When you bring your child to college, you’re taking the training wheels off, and you have to hope and pray that what you have done as far as instilling your values and what you think is important, right and wrong, sticks. When we brought Jodi to HPU, it was evident that this place is very different. The church is right on campus. Look at the artists on the promenade, the prominent figures like Harriett Tubman and Rosa Parks. That environment opens a curiosity that leads them down the correct path. That’s what we were looking for.” “Our daughter texted me one day out of the blue and said, ‘Thank you so much for sending me to HPU. This is where I was meant to be,’” says Carrie Beth Guglielmi. “To which I responded, ‘God put you there. God put you at High Point University.’ It set the groundwork for this incredible professional life she’s living now.”

Lisa, Cooper and David Amigo stop for a photo during Fall Family Weekend. Cooper is one of three Amigo children attending HPU.

David and Lisa Amigo have three students at HPU, Joshua, ’24, Zach, ’26, and their daughter, Cooper, ’25. Each of their students wanted an innovative campus and a fun living environment. For Lisa and David, HPU’s values sealed the deal. “It all comes down to values,” says David Amigo. “Dr. Qubein will tell you that HPU is a God, family and country school. HPU treats students like adults, models important behaviors for them and gives students an incredible opportunity to grow. And no matter how many differences all our children have, they all share those same values that are at the core of HPU.”

The Esposito Family, from Andover, New Jersey, has sent all four children to HPU. From left to right are Lou, Mac, Ruby, Nick, Cosmo and Kathy.

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Kathy and Lou Esposito are the parents of four HPU students. From graduates to a current freshman, they’ve watched how HPU’s campus fostered the values they’ve instilled in their family. “A lot of the values HPU maintains, which you can see just from walking around on campus, are the same

things we teach our children,” says Kathy Esposito. “We want our kids to be honest when they look someone in the eye and to be helpful to society. Our kids have learned to serve through charities, internships and other organizations they’ve been involved in. They’ve been encouraged to do those things — sometimes even earning credit in a class. This is all guiding them toward that higher goal in life.” “There hasn’t been a time when we reflected back and thought that we didn’t make the right decision,” says Lou Esposito. “And really, our kids made the decision, all four of them, on their own. They could go anywhere they wanted. They all gravitated to HPU.” “At HPU, we truly understand that parents don’t just enroll their students in High Point University, they entrust them to us. We get it,” says Qubein. “We are responsible for every student on this campus. We want to guide them toward success, to prepare them for life and ensure that the values they grew up with are upheld on this campus.” Parents are quick to recognize HPU’s values-based education model. Students follow close behind.

WATCH! Hear from those featured in this story, plus more, in this microdocumentary on the impact of HPU’s values-based education.

Students Seek to Lead Lives of Significance No matter their major or their career path, a common thread that weaves the HPU student body together is their appreciation of the university’s values. “To attend an institution that aligns so closely with your values is really something I appreciate, and it makes me feel comfortable here, like I belong here.” - Julia Velasquez, ’24, Neuroscience Major

“High Point University is all about gratitude, whether it’s holding open a door for someone, helping your classmates or doing community service. It’s all about being grateful for what you have and then paying that forward.” - Amy Stamm, ’14,

Head of Social and Editorial Content for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

“I grew up in a Christian household and believe that God has uniquely created me for impact in this world, and I love that Dr. Qubein shared that sentiment with me and my family.” - Jenna Fortier, ’21,

Senior Associate of Brand Strategy at MyEyeDr.

“I’m a person who stands strong on my religious and spiritual values, and I keep those first in my life. HPU encouraged and enforced those values by providing opportunities in the community. I was a community volunteer while a student. I worked in elementary schools, reading and speaking with kids. I was a youth basketball coach, and I worked with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. This was a place that kept me strong with my volunteerism. Even now in the corporate world, I like to support organizations that support corporate volunteerism, because I believe everything in this world is bigger than me.” - Tyler Heaggans, ’13, Sr. Associate at PriceWaterhouseCoopers

“One of my favorite parts of campus is the fact that everyone cares so much. I remember an instance when I missed one class and the professor reached out to make sure that I was okay. From the security officers to the dining team and our Campus Enhancement staff, we always smile at each other, greet each other and you know that everyone is there for you.” - Joe Maronski, ’23,

Journalism Major

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HPU’s PROUD

PATRIOTISM The only colors more prominent than purple on High Point University’s campus are red, white and blue.

showcase the United States military branch in which they served. Others accompany their parents, grandparents and friends who have served.

Patriotic tributes abound all year, but on Veterans Day, something special takes place.

They’re greeted by 100 HPU students who have literally rolled out a red carpet. The students clap and cheer as each veteran arrives.

More than 1,200 people – old and young, men and women, black and white – come to campus. Some wear Vietnam War veteran hats and patches on their jackets that

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It’s like the Grammy Awards, but for our nation’s heroes. Fred Catalano, a U.S. Air Force veteran, felt that when he arrived.

As a God, family and country school, HPU celebrates Veterans Day in a big way.

“This is beautiful,” said Catalano. “It’s a Godsend, really.”

Heroes, Models and Mentors The Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center fills to the max with veterans and their family members, and the patriotic program commences with music and keynote messages. HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein tells veterans the real reason student volunteers are an important part of this event.

It’s about HPU’s distinct approach to educating the next generation. “The environment here seeks to surround our students with heroes, models and mentors,” Qubein told the crowd. “We tell our students who you spend time with is who you become. That’s why today, they’re face to face with you, veterans. “After all, what good is it to take a class on history and study the Vietnam War, Korean War or World War II if you’ve never met the veteran, shook his or her hand, and listened to their stories? “Yes, veterans, we wanted you to feel welcome. But we wanted students to understand that their freedom happens because you were willing to sacrifice your life so this country can live on. When you teach students that, they remember.”

The Star of Service and Sacrifice HPU’s Veterans Day Celebration grows each year and offers several surprises. This year, when veterans arrived inside the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, they saw the giant, white Star of Service and Sacrifice. With red and blue sharpies, they were invited to sign it. The star and hundreds of signatures have since been proudly displayed on campus as an ever-present reminder of their commitment to our country and the freedoms Americans enjoy. “I think it’s really important as a nation to celebrate our veterans and to appreciate their service and sacrifice,” said Lance Collins, a United States Army combat veteran. “At High Point University, they do an outstanding job to

honor our veterans and to come together to support them.” “HPU students feel encouraged to show appreciation to people who have served our country for so long and have protected us overseas and in the United States,” said Katy Parisi, a senior and student volunteer. “We hope the veterans feel our appreciation and see the values of God, family and country being portrayed by students, faculty and staff.”

Special Veteran Speaker Each year during the event, a veteran is invited to deliver a keynote address. The 2021 keynote speaker was retired Col. Vance Cryer, who served in the United States Marine Corps for 27 years. Col. Cryer is now the senior manager for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. VA LU E S

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During his time of service, which began in 1996, he was deployed to the Arabian Gulf on six rotations after completing his naval aviation training in 1995, and was a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

changes the way you live. I hope it changes the way you invest yourself into the lives of others.”

Col. Cryer encouraged the audience to take action, and to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. “I want to challenge you to let the weight of the service and sacrifice represented here today descend upon you,” said Col. Cryer during the event. “Feel the weight on your back and on your shoulders – the weight of responsibility and accountability. I hope that it

HPU is a God, family and country school.” HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein

Watch highlights from HPU’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration

AMPLIFYING THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE:

A glimpse of the 2021 Annual Veterans Day Celebration:

1,200

VETERANS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

STAR OF SERVICE AND SACRIFICE Veterans were invited to sign a star that’s 10 feet tall, which is proudly displayed on campus as an ever-present reminder of their commitment to our country and the freedoms Americans enjoy.

100 AMERICAN FLAGS DONATED

As is tradition, HPU donated approximately 100 American flags to local nonprofits, schools and government buildings.

100 VOLUNTEERS

Students, faculty and staff members volunteered to make the event possible.

BALD EAGLE SOARS OVER CROWD A bald eagle flew over the crowd during the HPU Chamber Singers performance of “America the Beautiful.” Veterans also had the opportunity to have their photo taken with the eagle.

A PATRIOTIC T-SHIRT A BLANKET THAT SYMBOLIZES COMFORT Students gifted a patriotic blanket to veterans in attendance. The blanket symbolizes the comfort veterans have secured for Americans.

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Students gave veterans a T-shirt that reads, “High Point University Loves Veterans.”

$40K

FOR TWO TRACK CHAIRS HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order raised $40,000 to provide two track chairs to two wounded veterans through The Independence Fund.

As part of HPU’s 2021 Annual Veterans Day Celebration, the HPU chapter of Alpha Kappa Order raised $40,000 to purchase and donate all-terrain Track Chairs to two wounded veterans. This is an annual tradition for the fraternity, which has also shared their fundraising model with dozens of other chapters across the nation to make this a tradition on their campuses, too.

National Veterans Initiative Founded on HPU’s Campus In 2016, Operation K.A.R.E. was a dream that Michael Esposito had to support veterans. Esposito was then a student and member of HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order. He and his brothers boldly challenged themselves to raise $20,000. They would use the money to purchase a track chair that increases mobility for a wounded veteran. And they would partner with The Independence Fund, a nonprofit in Charlotte, North Carolina. They did raise the $20,000, and Operation K.A.R.E. became an annual fundraiser that would change lives. Since that time, HPU’s chapter of Kappa Alpha Order has raised more than $132,000 and donated six track chairs, including two track chairs that were presented to two wounded veterans during HPU’s 2021 Annual Veterans Day Celebration. And they’ve scaled their goal to support veterans at a national level, too. They’ve taken Operation K.A.R.E. to Kappa Alpha Order chapters on dozens of campuses and built a national model other fraternities use to raise funds like HPU’s chapter. Collectively, the fraternities have raised almost $1 million under Operation K.A.R.E, donated 14 track

chairs and supported six different programs to help veterans and their families. “One of the reasons Kappa Alpha started doing this is because we realized there were many people our age already serving our country,” says Esposito. “We wanted to find a way to give back in a direct and meaningful way to those who have given so much to us.” Esposito graduated from HPU in 2017 and works as a project manager for STRONG Manufacturers in Charlotte, North Carolina. He keeps in touch with his Kappa Alpha brothers, coaching new members into leadership roles as they carry on the mission of Operation K.A.R.E. He returned to campus for the 2021 Annual Veterans Day Celebration to watch the presentation and meet the veterans who would receive this year’s track chairs. And he marveled at the legacy that he and his brothers created together at HPU. “It has been incredible to see the Operation K.A.R.E. initiative, which began on HPU’s campus, grow into a nationwide initiative that has been far reaching and impactful for our nation’s most deserving veterans,” says Esposito. “I am very proud of my fraternity brothers at HPU who remain dedicated to advancing this noble cause.”

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Sophie Carter

Ryan Mijumbi

Olivia Lender

Faith AND Fellowship

HPU students enjoy many moments to worship, commune and grow spiritually. On Wednesdays and Sundays, HPU’s full-time minister welcomes students to a Christian worship service in the Charles E. Hayworth Memorial Chapel. Catholic students hold Mass on Sunday afternoon, Rosary on Mondays and Bible study on Wednesdays. And Jewish students love honoring Shabbat in different ways, like an evening with comfort foods, such as grilled cheese and tomato soup. Established in 1924 by the United Methodist Church, High Point University’s foundation in the Christian faith is evident on campus. At the same time, HPU welcomes students from all backgrounds and offers different services, organizations and activities to help students explore every facet of their faith. Every student has a story on what they find. Here are three.

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‘Christ Is Always With Me’ Sophie Carter repeats the phrase to herself several times a day. It reminds her of how to live. “Jesus leads with love, not judgment.” She found that phrase in “Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer,” a book by Richard Rohr, a well-known Franciscan priest. She’s read his book three times. It’s a spiritual lighthouse for her. So is High Point University. In her first week as a freshman, she went to a Wednesday night service at Hayworth Chapel. She knew she was in the right place when Rev. Andria Williamson, manager of chapel programs, opened chapel with Rohr’s familiar phrase. “Let’s take three deep breaths,” she told her congregation of students. That same semester, Carter joined Alpha Delta Theta, HPU’s Christian service sorority. She since has served

as the sorority’s chaplain her sophomore year and the pledge trainer her junior year. She’s also participated in three pilgrimages organized by HPU’s Chapel and Religious Life Office. In 2019, she learned about love and hardship in New York City and hiked at least 13 miles a day on Spain’s Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrimage routes across Europe. In 2020, she studied the contemplative life of Trappist monks at a South Carolina monastery. Those experiences helped transform her life. She’s now the president of the Board of Stewards, the student-run group that organizes HPU’s Wednesday night chapel service. Carter, a senior psychology major, has seen her faith grow at HPU. She’s reminded of that whenever she looks at her left wrist. She sees a bracelet she made. It says “Yahweh,” the Hebrew word for God. “I want to show that Christ is always with me,” she says.

‘I’m Living Who I Am’

Mijumbi is a senior, majoring in psychology with a minor in religion. Next, he’ll pursue a doctorate in psychology because he wants to become a child psychologist. At HPU, he is grateful to those faculty, staff and friends who have helped him. “I’m living who I am,” he says. “I’m in a space where I’m finding a better way of being Catholic.”

‘We Are All Connected’ Olivia Lender discovered a spiritual expansion of her own beliefs when she interviewed students and professors about their beliefs. She followed up with more questions and wrote six articles for Infinite Space, a student-led literary journal about the spiritual experiences of the HPU community. She then wrote an essay about what she found. “The world is a large circle, and we are all connected,” she wrote. “I believe everything one person does affects somebody else on this planet. That awareness of an interconnected world is what I hope to one day see.”

Ryan Mijumbi came of age in Gastonia, North Carolina, jockeying between two different worlds of Christianity.

Lender was raised Jewish in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended Hebrew school for seven years.

Five days a week, he attended a Protestant school and a Protestant youth group. On Sunday mornings, he went to St. Michael’s Catholic Church and sat beside his parents.

She’s now a junior majoring in human relations and psychology. After her work with Infinite Space, her first-ever job, she gained confidence. She also gained a more expansive view of the world’s religions.

“Are Catholics Christians?” his friends would ask. “Of course,” Mijumbi would respond. “We’re not that different. Same Jesus. Different vocabulary.” When he arrived at HPU as a Presidential Scholar, he came curious. He took a Bible scholarship class taught by a Jewish rabbi, and every Sunday, he began attending Catholic Campus Ministries.

Lender advanced to become the editor of Infinite Space, and her writing experience helped her land an internship and write a blog for the High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau.

He discovered Interfaith United with the help of Rev. Dr. Preston Davis, HPU’s minister, and found himself surrounded by students of multiple traditions.

She’s also the vice president of Interfaith United, a multi-religious student group. They meet once a month in the Fellowship Hall at Hayworth Chapel. They pull up chairs, share food and dive deep into conversations about religion, politics and diversity.

He went on a three-day Discipleship Retreat in the North Carolina mountains with other area Catholic college students. On a service retreat, he worked side by side with them on a service project cleaning up a nature trail.

She listens, learns and understands more completely the why of what people believe. She sees the differences. But moreover, she sees the similarities.

Later, with other HPU students, he discovered the more contemplative side of Christianity on a pilgrimage to a monastery in South Carolina.

“We may all come from different backgrounds and different faiths,” she says. “But it all boils down to ‘Love thy neighbor.’”

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FUTURE ATTORNEY

Learns THROUGH Service Through HPU’s unique Bonner Leader Program, students contribute to their community by helping nonprofits while building their professional skills.

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By the time Jacob Dillman graduated high school, he had accumulated an impressive tally of nearly 500 hours of volunteer service-learning time. “I was very focused on my community,” he modestly says. Little has changed. Today, the High Point University sophomore continues to give back to the city of High Point, his hometown, both on and off-campus, as an active member of the university’s Bonner Leader Program. Described as HPU’s “true servant leaders,” Bonner Leaders serve as community liaisons between the university and nonprofits in the greater High Point region. Interested students complete a separate admission process for the program and once admitted, commit to participating for their entire four-year tenure at the university. As Bonner Leaders, students perform over 300 hours of community service each academic year. They also gain additional education and leadership experience in public service work through participation in the

university’s civic responsibility and social innovation minor, which offers courses in ethics and persuasive speaking as well as team and skill-building activities.

Making A Meaningful Difference The program provides just the type of meaningful, on-the-ground training Dillman craves. “As a Bonner Leader, I have the opportunity to gain experience while also doing work that has an impact.” Dillman is wasting no time in making his mark. In August of 2021, the criminal justice major began interning with The Guilford County Family Justice Center (FJC), an organization that not only matches his interests but also provides valuable professional experiences for his future career aspirations in law. “The Family Justice Center serves individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, or stalking and harassment,” he explains. “For example, the center can provide victim advocates, call child protection services or offer legal services to help individuals working with the district attorney.” Since beginning on-site work with the Family Justice Center, he has been inputting and analyzing data from their Camp HOPE America, a six-day outing for children who have experienced trauma. The sleep-away camp offers these children the chance to interact with others and explore new ways to heal, he explains. “The kids talk about their lives and learn ways to process their experiences,” he says. “I’m responsible for recording outcomes from the camp so that organizers

can assess how kids are being helped by the activities and ideas they’re exposed to over the course of the week.” Looking forward, Dillman envisions ways that he can assist the team at the Family Justice Center in accomplishing its mission. He anticipates contributing to initiatives across the organization as he gains familiarity with its programs and needs. He’s quick to add that the benefits are reciprocal. “The work I do at the Family Justice Center is going to be of value to me when I begin practicing law,” he notes. “The role I have really allows me to speak with different people and work in a professional manner.” Staff at the center say Dillman meets every assignment with enthusiasm, demonstrating a strong attention to detail and wielding impressive critical thinking skills. “Jacob has quickly established himself as an asset to our collaborative of more than 13 disciplines who work together under our shared roof,” says Beth McCollum, the client services coordinator at Family Justice Center and Dillman’s supervisor. “He models professionalism as a young adult and brings with him a clear dedication to high quality work, kindness and great flexibility – necessary qualities when working in crisis and a multidisciplinary setting like the Family Justice Center. He has great things ahead of him in his career.” Dillman appreciates the opportunities inherent to HPU’s Bonner Leader Program.

A Lasting Legacy “I was interested in becoming a Bonner Leader from the moment I

entered High Point University,” he says. “My sister, Janae, ’21, was a Bonner Leader, and I saw how much she benefited from the program. “This sense of family is both actual and metaphorical, and it’s one of my most valued takeaways as a program participant.” In high school, Dillman volunteered largely on his own. He didn’t have a strong connection with other volunteers and couldn’t understand the value of teamwork in community service. But here, he insists, the experience is different. “Our cohort consists of just over 10 students, and we’re like a big family. We go through classes together and share our experiences — it’s terrific.” Not surprisingly, in addition to his work with the Family Justice Center, Dillman shares his talents within the Bonner Leader Program, too. As a member of the program’s leadership team, he serves as the student government representative and collaborates with other team members to review student applications for the incoming class of Bonner Leaders. As he looks toward his remaining two years of college, Dillman is grateful that he is again able to gather with fellow Bonner Leaders, volunteer in person at the Family Justice Center, and make the tangible contributions to the community that he finds so meaningful. And he has no plans for slowing down. “I know I want to be an attorney, although I’m not yet certain what specific field I will choose,” he says. “Whatever I do, I want to have an impact.” VA LU E S

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Today, HPU’s Mariana H. Qubein Arboretum and Botanical Gardens include 29 gardens, nine plant collections, more than 700 taxa of trees, and a conservatory that brings the beauty of the arboretum and botanical gardens inside for research and enjoyment. Learn more about HPU’s First Lady and her spearheading of HPU’s gardens in the Q&A below.

Q: W hat do you love most about being a part of the HPU family? I love how we work together as a team. People on our campus are caring, respectful and enterprising. It makes for a truly inspiring environment in which we can all participate.

Q &A WITH THE

FIRST LADY OF HPU

Mariana Qubein received her biology degree from HPU when it was still known as High Point College. When her husband, Dr. Nido Qubein, became HPU’s seventh president in 2005, she returned to her academic roots, recruiting professors and students to create an arboretum committee. She wanted to transform her alma mater into a tree-canopied showplace where nature lives, flowers bloom and botanical gardens act as outdoor classrooms that educate, inspire, encourage contemplation and bring the community together. In 2009, the HPU Board of Trustees named the university’s botanical gardens after HPU’s First Lady.

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Q: H ow have you watched HPU’s educational experiences change along with its physical transformation? HPU has greatly expanded the number of academic schools, and therefore the options of educational tracks from which students can choose. There is also such an emphasis on life skills now. The effort to teach students holistically strongly benefits them. HPU is preparing students for the world as it is going to be.

Q: H ow has seeing the growth of the university from your time here as a student at High Point College made you feel? I am very impressed and proud of what this campus has become, and I continue to be amazed by how our growth has catapulted HPU to the top in so many ways. Students now have a better education available to them because technology has made information so accessible. The facilities are all different now with state-of-the-art resources. The design of campus has shifted from

just structures alone to beauty in fountains, sculptures, gardens and flowers. There are places to gather outside and inside for fellowship among faculty, staff and students. It’s really night and day. I can see how if I went to school now, I would be so much more involved.

As a student worker in HPU’s gardens, Walter Galarowicz assists in maintaining the inspiring spaces enjoyed by students and visitors to campus.

Q: W hat do you picture when you imagine the future of the gardens as the university continues to grow? I imagine an oasis for all our extended HPU family where they can relax, enjoy, be inspired and learn. Everyone understands how a garden can provide a beautiful space aesthetically, but it can also work educationally. Our faculty, staff and students already utilize the gardens in their research endeavors. It offers an agricultural understanding, a biological understanding and a spiritual understanding. These gardens nourish the hearts and souls of those who spend time in them. They are a place for our visitors and the surrounding community to visit and explore in the different seasons.

People on our campus are caring, respectful and enterprising. It makes for a truly inspiring environment in which we can all participate. ” Mariana Qubein,

Q: W hat is your favorite garden on campus?

Q: D o you have a favorite exhibit in the children’s museum?

I love all the gardens as each one is unique in its own way, but the Ridley Rose Garden does hold a special place in my heart. It continues to amaze me how vigorously it grows from season to season. Each time the flowers go through their life, it reminds me that we can find the same strength and blossom after difficult times. It brightens the area by the Smith Library with its vibrant colors and scents.

That’s hard to say because they all are my favorite! Each exhibit offers a fun and an essential learning opportunity. They allow the kids to have an imaginative mind. The different exhibits are all geared for different ages, so there’s something for everyone.

Q: W hat are you most excited about with the opening of the Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum just down the street from HPU’s campus? I love seeing the faces and voices of the community’s local children as they learn and discover the multitude of different venues we have for them. Witnessing their sense of wonder, excitement and discovery always makes me happy.

Q: W hat was it like for you to see the grand opening of the Qubein Arena and Conference Center during Fall Family Weekend? I felt absolute joy and appreciation. It is amazing to work with a team on a vision that began on a piece of paper and transformed into a beautiful and meaningful facility. Seeing a facility my husband talked about and dreamed of for so long materialize in front of us was a testimony to the art of the possible.

High Point University First Lady

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BUILDING BIKES,

Bettering Lives

HPU freshmen kicked off the academic year by surprising local children with new bikes.

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Watch HPU students build bikes for local children!

Kicking off the year by doing this is a great way to give back to the community. ” Grace Canonica,

a freshman from Long Island, New York

Elementary students from Montlieu Academy of Technology received a big surprise when they came to campus on a warm August afternoon. Inside HPU’s Millis Athletic Center, they found HPU students standing by a sea of colorful bikes. As children filed into the gym, the HPU students told them the big news — they’d get to take a new bike home. “I’m super, super, super excited,” said 7-year-old Dixie Bryant during

the surprise. “I didn’t know this would happen. I just thought I would meet lots of people. When I get home, I’m going to tell my mom and dad we got free bikes!” HPU’s Class of 2025 spent the first days of their college career as a team, building the 150 bikes given to Montlieu students as a surprise. “This really set the tone for the school year,” said Grace Canonica, from Long Island, New York. “Kicking off the year by doing this is a great way to give back to the community.”

to grow up and go to HPU is what makes moments like this worthwhile.” “This event seems like a good sign of a lot of things to come since we are doing this on the first day of college,” said Hamzah Alkhawaldeh, from Orlando, Florida. “I think there will be a lot of opportunities like this. When Alex and I picked up a little bit of speed and he got the hang of riding the bike, it was really exciting to see him.”

This is the third year HPU students have built and surprised local children with bikes, and it’s one of many ways students support their city.

HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein often shares with students the Bible verse from Luke 12:48 that is displayed inside the Hayworth Fine Arts Center. It says, “To whom much is given, much will be required.”

“We appreciate the opportunity to visit HPU and receive these bikes for our amazing kids,” said Kim Scott, principal at nearby Montlieu Academy of Technology. “It is mind-blowing, and the kids were absolutely astonished. The number of conversations I was able to have with the kids about how they want

“It is quite an experience for these students in their first couple of days on campus to give back to the community in a meaningful way,” said Qubein. “We are High Point’s university with an apostrophe s, and this shows students how important it is to care for your community.”

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From left to right are Troy, Kyle, Tyler and Ryan Kubanka, all of whom attended HPU, pictured on HPU’s campus following Tyler’s graduation. Their parents, Evelyn and Doug Kubanka, provide special HPU insight in this Q&A.

The Parent

PERSPECTIVE

Families appreciate the values and life skills HPU instills in their students.

Meet the Kubanka family. Evelyn and Doug Kubanka of Rochester, New York, are the parents of four HPU students: Kyle, ’18; Tyler, ’19; Ryan, ’22; and Troy, ’25. As experienced HPU parents, Evelyn and Doug share their knowledge about how HPU prepares students for a life of success and significance. Here’s a look at what parents need to know:

Q: What stood out to you most when exploring HPU? What set it apart? EK: On our tour, the students guiding us were so positive when they talked about their experience. They had an excited energy. It’s like when you show off your new home to family and friends. You’re proud of what you’ve done and where you live. It was that same

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emotion coming from the students. The students talked about the campus like their home and the people there like their family. That really spoke to us. On tours of other schools, the students didn’t hold their heads up. They didn’t hold the door for each other or smile. They were glum, and it brought down the mood of the entire campus. We realized quickly that it’s hard to match HPU. DK: Yes, obviously the campus is very beautiful, but there’s a purpose behind it. It’s an uplifting place. I think a big part of the reason people at HPU are so upbeat is because of the environment — the beautiful gardens and the music playing along the International Promenade. When you combine that with a president who’s so involved and walks around spending time with students, it all comes together to create an environment that inspires goodness.

Q: H ow did values play a role in choosing a school? DK: HPU’s God, family and country mantra is very important to us. Those values were at the top of our list. That’s how we brought up our sons, and we wanted to find a university that would build that up and not deconstruct it. I believe it’s more important than ever to honor and respect our country and to teach students to make our country better. HPU does that. EK: Both of my parents and Doug’s mother immigrated here, so we were both raised knowing the power of this country and what it means. We’re not a perfect country, but reminding students of the opportunities that exist here is something we’ve aimed to teach our own sons. To have a school that does that, too, is very important.

Q: H ow has HPU transformed your students? EK: HPU has grown their confidence. Our sons have learned to articulate and give their opinions in a respectful way. Our oldest son, Kyle, had a phone call with a high-up executive during his first job, and he wasn’t afraid to speak up and offer his thoughts. I don’t think he would have done that if he’d gone to another university. He would have been hesitant, like so many new, young employees are in meetings. He’s now done that repeatedly, impressing his co-workers and bosses and proving his value to the company. DK: Kyle also hasn’t been afraid to expand outside his boundaries. He was a business major and finance minor, but he’s delved into issues with IT and hasn’t been afraid to explore and learn new skills. That really goes for all our boys. Tyler, a graduate of the communication school, has demonstrated his confidence and willingness to learn by branching into finance and supervision while earning increasing levels of responsibility in the workplace. They’ve all taken it upon themselves to be continuous learners. That’s something HPU instilled in them. We love a lot of things about HPU, but the focus on life skills and the fact that President Qubein teaches these important life lessons in a life skills seminar – it’s all spot on with what they need for the real world. Other universities just miss the boat on that.

Q: W hat do you tell parents and high school students who are considering HPU? EK: When I talk about HPU, other parents always point out how excited I get about it. My biggest advice is to

visit. The campus is beautiful but also purposeful. Also, as a parent, I can’t go without noting that the university’s communication is astounding and makes us feel continually engaged even from afar. HPU says it’s a home and that they care. That’s reflected especially in how they communicate with parents. I think specifically of how HPU handled the COVID-19 pandemic. They were ahead of decision-making faster than most schools and did everything they had to do to get students back to school and in person while so many schools across the country resorted to online learning. It speaks a lot to the university’s genuine care for students and their families. DK: I agree. And I can say that the care for students is very real. Our son, Ryan, the entrepreneur in the family, already started several businesses on his own. At HPU, he’s met numerous times with President Qubein, several of the deans, and in all those meetings, they’ve worked to build his connections. Troy has felt right at home his first year at HPU, growing his confidence and expanding his horizons. His professors and advisors have helped him shape his desired path. Then, there’s the Access to Innovators Program (page 86). The connections built with those industry leaders are unprecedented for college students. All our sons have been well-connected and pushed forward in their interests just by attending HPU. When we attended HPU’s Open Houses with each of our sons, I saw other prospective parents eyeing each other and wondering if this place is as good as it seems. I’m very fast to perk up and interject that it’s as real as it gets. The life skills, the inspiring environment — we can confirm that everything you hear is true.

We love a lot of things about HPU, but the focus on life skills and the fact that President Qubein teaches these important life lessons in a life skills seminar – it’s all spot on with what students need for the real world. ” Doug Kubanka,

Father of four HPU students

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THINslices High Point University’s Dance Company presented $2,000 to Cancer Services, Inc. thanks to their annual Fall Dance Concert fundraiser. The concert honored Lindsey Howie, assistant professor of dance and the director of the dance program, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies gave back to the community as a way to celebrate PA Week. Students and faculty held a food drive competition to see which group could collect the most food to stock the Second Harvest Food Bank shelves. In total, the group collected 559 items of nonperishable food.

HPU graduate students and professors in the Stout School of Education helped kids have a blast at the Annual STEM Camp. More than 100 children became scientists for a week by building and launching rockets, and developing a new appreciation for science, technology, engineering and math. Three HPU staff members received the Kahn Family Extraordinary Staff Award. The award recipients, Dr. Craig Curty, Valerie Miller and Dwayne Lee (pictured left to right), each received a $5,000 check to highlight their dedication to displaying the university’s mission to provide students with an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people. 118

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HPU’s Student Council for Exceptional Children hosted a special Halloween dance for community members with disabilities. High Point Parks and Recreation’s ASPIRE unit co-hosted the event, which included dancing, games, food and more.

HPU Emergency Medical Services (HPUEMS), a student-based organization, hosted a fall blood drive for the local American Red Cross. The group collected 153 units of blood, which in turn saved up to 465 lives. HPUEMS is a volunteer organization made up of licensed EMTs, CNAs, firefighters and pre-allied health science students.

Nine AmeriCorps VISTAs worked throughout the year to serve the city of High Point. Each year, HPU provides their housing, meal plans, office space and support services as they provide thousands of hours of service to local nonprofit organizations.

The local community experienced an afternoon full of fun science activities at the seventh annual HPUniverse Day. HPU’s physics department co-hosted the event with the High Point Public Library. There were 15 different stations operated by students and faculty that included astronomy, biology, chemistry and physics experiments.

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Each year, the Top 10 Under 10 Young Alumni Awards honor 10 successful alumni who graduated within the last 10 years. Pictured from left to right are: Dr. Nido Qubein, HPU president; Rosana Filingeri, Class of 2017; Dr. Jeffrey Berwager, Class of 2016; Chris Crawford, Class of 2014; Sarah Covington, Class of 2013; Janay Whittaker, Class of 2013; Lindsay Scott, Class of 2013; Linda Poplawski, Class of 2013; Landon Harris, Class of 2013; and Adam Hatem, Class of 2011. Not pictured is Cydney Hamilton, Class of 2018.

HPU HOMECOMING

2021

HPU celebrated the 2021 Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 22-24. Hundreds of HPU alumni returned to campus for a variety of events. The Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony is always a significant part of Homecoming. This year, HPU presented four major awards to alumni who have made a difference on campus, in their communities and on a national and global scale.

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THE 2021 AWARD WINNERS Lifetime Achievement Award

Alumnus of the Year Award

Kester was born in High Point and lived in a house on Fifth Street, which later became part of the HPU campus. Cottrell Hall now stands in its place. Kester graduated from then High Point College in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in history. As a student, he joined Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and was a soloist in the university choir.

Smith was born in High Point and graduated from then High Point College with a Bachelor of Science in physical education. While completing his student teaching experience, Smith helped his brother coach the Ledford High School football team in nearby Thomasville.

Gene C. Kester, Class of 1966

Kester began his career as a salesman in High Point with Rose Furniture, the company owned and operated by his family. In 1974, he was hired as the first salesman for a new furniture company, Councill Craftsmen LLC. This began a 35-year career as an independent manufacturer’s representative for Councill, Southwood Reproductions, Yorkshire House and many other accessory lines. Kester has served on and participated in numerous organizations and community boards, including the High Point Community Foundation, High Point Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow and member for over 25 years, and as a board member of BB&T, now Truist, for 20 years. For 30 years, he has been a member of the High Point Historical Society, serving as a board member for seven years. Kester received the Mary Lib Joyce Award in 2016 for outstanding service, including his efforts to relocate the Little Red Schoolhouse, where he attended first grade, to the High Point Museum campus. Kester is an active member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point. He has taught Sunday school and been a member of the choir for many years. Kester is a devoted advocate for High Point University and is a life member of the Board of Trustees, on which he served as Chairman from 2010-2013. He also served as Chairman for the HPU Board of Visitors. Thanks to his enduring support and leadership, the university named the International Promenade in honor of Kester and his wife, Jane.

C. David Smith, Class of 1981

After college, Smith joined his father in the family business, Smith and Jennings, Incorporated, a High Point-based company founded in 1947. Today, it remains family-owned and operated, employs more than 100 people and specializes in all aspects of the grading and utility industry. Currently, Smith is the owner and president. The company has helped HPU transform over the years, from assisting in the construction of Smith Library in the 1980s to the campus transformation that began in 2005 when HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein arrived. Smith has remained active in the local High Point community by serving on various organization committees and boards. He has served with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Westchester Country Day School and the YMCA Advisory Committee. Currently, Smith is the chair for the High Point YMCA Association where he has been a member for the last six years. In 1996, he was named the YMCA Volunteer of the Year and was inducted into the YMCA Hall of Fame in 2002. He is a current board member for Communities in Schools and serves monthly with Feeding Lisa’s Kids. Smith combines his passion for sports and his love for High Point University as an active member of the HPU Panther Club and a regular attendee at athletic games. Smith and his wife, Amy, ’94, as well as their children — Charles, ’15, and Ansley, ’13, have supported HPU in various ways, including through the Spirit Garden at Millis Athletic Center and HPU’s Annual Community Prayer Breakfast. In recognition of their most recent philanthropic gift, along with their long-time support and advocacy, HPU named the David and Amy Smith Hospitality Suite in the new Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center in honor of the family’s success in business and commitment to HPU. VA LU E S

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Alumni Service Award

Danita M. Harris, Class of 1999 Harris graduated from High Point University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in home furnishings marketing. She has continued her leadership with High Point University post-graduation as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors. Partnering with High Point University Athletics, Harris volunteers her time as the financial consultant for student-athletes to help guide them through future sports careers with the new name, image and likeness era. Harris began her career in High Point with a local furniture design company as a lead interior designer. After several years, she started a landscaping and design company. Later, she joined New York Life Insurance as an agent in New York City. In her first year, Harris received the New York Life Career Life Success Award, one of the most coveted awards for new agents. Currently, Harris is the managing partner of GUICE Wealth Management in New York City, where she leads the overall daily operation, including the origination and management of business development opportunities, client cultivation and retention, recruitment of staff, and long-term business growth. In her community, Harris has been involved with various organizations. She has spoken at numerous events, conferences and for charities including the Steve Harvey Foundation; Boys and Girls Clubs of America; Women’s Basketball Coaching Association; St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York; Dallas Children’s Cancer Society; the YMCA; University of Grenada, Spain; and many more. She actively works with numerous professional athletes and their foundations to teach financial literacy.

President’s Award

Megan E. Oglesby, Class of 2015 Oglesby graduated from High Point University in 2015 with a Master of Business Administration degree. Oglesby began her career with Old Dominion Freight Line, a national LTL freight leader and global transportation company headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina. After six years, she transitioned to Business High Point – Chamber of Commerce as the senior director of leadership and events, where she was responsible for Leadership High Point, Robert McInnis Golf Tournament, Women’s Business Luncheon, and many other major Chamber events and sponsorships. Since May 2019, Oglesby has served as executive director of the Earl and Kathryn Congdon Family Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to invest in organizations within the greater High Point area that promote improved quality of life by reducing barriers to opportunity. In the community, her service to others began early. Oglesby earned her Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards in 1999 and 2005, respectively. She is a 2016 graduate of Leadership High Point, and she received the YMCA Emerging Leader Award in 2018. Currently, Oglesby is a board member with Forward High Point, High Point Discovered, the High Point Community Foundation, the Greater High Point YMCA, High Point University’s Say Yes and First Generation Scholarship Committee, and the High Point University Board of Visitors.

100 Years of HPU:

2024 will honor a legacy of achievement, tradition and transformation. In 2024, HPU will celebrate its 100th anniversary! We will pay homage to our rich traditions and honor our collective legacy as a High Point University family. Alumni and families are encouraged to participate alongside faculty, staff and students in various opportunities, which include on-campus and regional events, special homecoming and reunion celebrations, and more.

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During the 2021 Homecoming Alumni Awards, the university also honored these 10 young alumni for their outstanding achievements in their profession and their community. This year’s Top 10 Under 10 are: Adam J. Hatem Class of 2011, Associate Director of Athletic Academic Services at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina

HPU HOMECOMING:

A CELEBRATION

YOU CAN’T MISS!

Landon C. Harris Class of 2013, Co-Founder of Harris Family Holdings in Mocksville, North Carolina Linda J. Poplawski Class of 2013, Medical Physicist with West Virginia University Medicine in Morgantown, West Virginia Lindsay D. Scott Class of 2013, Talent Development Manager for Coca-Cola Consolidated in Charlotte, North Carolina Janay M. Whittaker Class of 2013, Associate Clinical Counselor for CHRIS 180 in Atlanta, Georgia Sarah N. Covington Class of 2013, Physician Assistant with Duke University Health Family Medicine in Burlington, North Carolina Chris M. Crawford Class of 2014, Sports Reporter for Spectrum News One and Radio Host/Producer for WDBO in Orlando, Florida Dr. Jeffrey D. Berwager Class of 2016, Anesthesiology Resident with Atrium-Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina Rosana K. Filingeri Class of 2017, Vice President of Business Development for Cybersafe Solutions in New York, New York Cydney C. Hamilton Class of 2018, Health Equity Project Manager for CDC Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia

TODAY #HPUHomecoming22

HPU HOMECOMING

WEEKEND 2022

NOVEMBER 4-6

On Nov. 4-6, High Point University will celebrate Homecoming 2022. Join fellow classmates and current HPU students throughout the weekend for annual events like the Alumni Awards Ceremony, HPU basketball games, Panther tailgate, reunions, a collection of family-friendly events and more. To view featured events and register for the weekend, visit engage.highpoint.edu/homecoming

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The new Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center is an energetic superstructure for HPU Panther fans. This photo from a men’s basketball game that was nationally televised on ESPNU is one example. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and more filled the purple stands with roaring energy and endless enthusiasm.

Basketball’s NEW HARDWOOD

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HPU Men’s and Women’s Basketball find their place in the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena. In their daily group chat, Callie Scheier kept sending her family photos of the arena she calls her team’s new home. When they came to see Scheier, a junior guard for the Panthers, play against Gardner-Webb University a few days after Christmas, they, too, couldn’t get over what they saw.

‘A Dream Come True’

The players on both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at High Point University have been impressed by their new home court. Below are thoughts from some of the players: “Now that we have our arena, when we go to Michigan State, Kentucky or any of those other grand arenas, you’re not shellshocked anymore. That helped us during tournament time in Charlotte at the Bojangles Coliseum. That’s a big stadium, but I wasn’t worried about the depth perception or getting used to the rims. It’s because of our dome. At HPU, you’re in a professional arena. You can look up at that big scoreboard and see the fans all around you, 360 degrees, cheering you on, and that just ups your game. It makes you want to bring your A game.” John-Michael Wright, Men’s Basketball Junior Guard “In both programs, we’re thankful to have this arena, and we’re thankful for Dr. Qubein and his wife for making it possible. I’ve always thought High Point University deserved to have an arena like this, because HPU mirrors success to motivate others to be successful. The arena does the same thing. It sets that standard of excellence, and it motivates you to come out and win.” Callie Scheier, Women’s Basketball Junior Guard “I’ve never played in anything as big as our new arena before, and it just brings this different kind of energy. Once you see it and play in it, you want to defend it. It gives you that extra motivation you need. When people come to play us here, they see how nice it is and want to challenge us, and we want to prove a point. We want to prove we deserve to have an arena like this. Our arena makes me want to leave a legacy as being a part of the first team to play in the arena and the first team to go to the tournament on the men’s side. We want to be the top team in the conference.”

After the game, they took family photos inside the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. They wanted to remember that moment. “They told me the pictures didn’t do it justice, and I agree,” says Scheier. “In our family group chat, I’d send them pictures and say, ‘Look at this!’ and ‘Look at this!’ They were completely amazed.”

Zack Austin, Men’s Basketball Freshman Forward “When I was 5 or 6 years old, I played on 8-foot goals, and I always dreamed of playing college basketball. I didn’t care where, but to be here at High Point University, a Division I program in a beautiful arena like this one is pretty special. It’s like one you’d find at a Power Five school. I’d compare it to the one in San Antonio where we played University of Connecticut in the NCAA tournament last year. It’s definitely a dream come true, and I am grateful.” Jenson Edwards, Women’s Basketball Redshirt Junior Guard

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CHAMPIONSHIP

Heights

HPU Men’s Lacrosse brings home their second conference title. Setting The Standard: The HPU Men’s Lacrosse team concluded their 2021 season with the program’s second Southern Conference title. They secured the title with an 11-8 victory over Richmond. Six Panthers scored in the Southern Conference Championship win. Graduate student Kevin Rogers led the way with four goals and an assist for five points. Fellow graduate student Dalton Sulver and redshirt senior Asher Nolting each scored two goals toward the big win. Nolting was named the 2021 Tournament MVP. He was also named to the Southern Conference

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All-Tournament team along with graduate student Davis Sampere, Parker Green, ’23, Sulver and Rogers. The Panthers are now 2-1 in all-time Southern Conference Championship games. The Panthers took a commanding 7-3 lead at halftime and seemed to have total control of the game. However, Richmond responded in the third quarter with three goals to make the score 7-6 heading into the final quarter. The Panthers remained relentless as Rogers scored three goals in the fourth quarter, propelling the Panthers to an 11-8 victory and a conference tournament title. For Head Coach John Torpey, his reaction to the championship victory can be summed up as: “Beyond excited, almost speechless.” “Again, credit to Richmond. Their staff is amazing,” he adds. “They put their guys in great positions throughout the season to succeed. We learned a lot from our last game with them, and I am so incredibly proud of our guys for stepping up against a great team. I love our guys, I love their families, and for them to get this title means a lot for the program.”

A Tight-knit Team

handled themselves like champions every day.” Torpey credits his coaching staff for much of the team’s success. “Coach Justin Tuma on the defensive end of the field did a tremendous job,” he says. “Coach Bryce Young has been an unbelievable asset all year, and Coach Connor McKemey, an HPU graduate, has been with us since day one. Coach Ken Broschart came in to run the offense and did such a tremendous job this year. I love those guys.”

I love our guys, I love their families, and for them to get this title means a lot for the program. ” Jon Torpey,

HPU Men’s Lacrosse Coach

And then, of course, are the players.

As the clock hit zeros, the bench gave Torpey a victory shower from the team water cooler. Purple helmets filled the air as the Panthers threw them to the sky and sprinted to the field in celebration.

“They battle every game and give us their heart and soul every day,” says Torpey. “We practice in the morning and every day they are up and ready to go. It’s just an honor to be their coach.”

“I have such a tremendous group of guys,” Torpey says when reflecting on the championship victory. “They do so much behind the scenes, and in a season where they encountered so much adversity and so many different unknowns, they

In their 2021 season, HPU won their second Southern Conference title and made their second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. The Panthers plan on making back-toback titles in the spring of 2022 when they start their new season.

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HPU’s Front Row Fan:

This photo captures one of many moments you’ll often see on HPU’s campus. HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein is a regular presence — from eating breakfast or lunch with students in the Slane Café, to taking part in student TikTok videos, attending music and theatrical performances, and always sitting courtside for the men’s and women’s Division I basketball games. At what other university will you find the president hugging players as they exit the court?

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE HPU Magazine is published for alumni, parents and friends of High Point University. To see previous editions, visit www.highpoint.edu/magazine

BOARD LEADERSHIP Board of Trustees Dr. Robert J. Brown, Chairman Chris Henson, Vice Chairman Board of Visitors Iv Culp, Chairman

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ACCESS TO

Innovators INNOVATOR IN RESIDENCE Steve Wozniak

Apple Computer Co-Founder

TALENT ACQUISITION EXPERT IN RESIDENCE Dee Ann Turner

Former Vice President for Talent at Chick-Fil-A

ENTREPRENEUR IN RESIDENCE Marc Randolph Netflix Co-Founder

EXECUTIVE COACH IN RESIDENCE Dr. John Maxwell

Bestselling Author and Internationally Renowned Leadership Expert

Only at High Point University do students learn from the Co-Founder of Apple, Co-Founder of Netflix, CEO of Domino’s, former Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Chick-fil-A and other global leaders. Visit www.highpoint.edu/innovators to see an ever-growing roster of change agents who mentor HPU students.

SPORTS EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE Cynt Marshall CEO of the Dallas Mavericks and Former Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at AT&T

ACTOR IN RESIDENCE Dean Cain

Famed Actor, Producer, Television Presenter and Former Football Player

CORPORATE EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE Russell Weiner

GLOBAL LEADER IN RESIDENCE William “Bill” E. Kennard

JOURNALIST IN RESIDENCE Byron Pitts

HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE Dr. Ellen Zane

Domino’s CEO

Co-Anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline”

Former U.S. Ambassador and FCC Chairman

Former CEO of Tufts Medical Center

One University Parkway High Point, N.C. 27268 USA 336-841-9000

highpoint.edu

Families Appreciate HPU’s Commitment to Values: Parents are HPU’s greatest advocates. They frequently recognize and celebrate the distinct way in which HPU fosters the values they’ve worked to instill in their children for 18+ years. On page 98, read testimonials directly from families like the Espositos, pictured left, who sent their four children to HPU because of the values-based living and learning model. You can also watch a video featuring these families by scanning this QR code.