Career-focused and values-based, High Point University’s educational model is producing extraordinary results.
Every moment at HPU is intentionally designed to foster connection, creation and collaboration. Throughout this magazine, you’ll see just a few examples of opportunities that motivate students and play an active role in their success.
Look for more of these Big-Picture Moments as you read!
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.
Only at HPU do students learn from the co-founders of Apple Computer and Netflix, the president of business operations for the Orlando Magic, the CEOs of the Dallas Mavericks and Domino’s Pizza, an Emmy Award-winning journalist with ABC News and many more global leaders.
Read more about HPU’s Access to Innovators Program and how students benefit from elevated access to industry titans on page 74 and throughout this magazine.
Dear HPU Friend,
Do you ever wonder what the world is really teaching young people?
I contemplate questions like this all the time: From whom are they learning? What are the values and experiences on which they’ll base their decisions? And how exactly do they discern sound bites from sound judgment?
My hope is for them to learn from the world’s most noble leaders, such as those honored on HPU’s Kester International Promenade. Our promenade is intentionally lined with sculptures of Rosa Parks, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Amelia Earhart and many other historical figures who changed our world for the better.
The promenade is also etched with quotes and wisdom from these individuals, including this quote from Thomas Jefferson: “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
Sometimes I worry that pundits make it look more popular to disrespectfully disagree than to civilly discuss and learn from our differences. I find myself praying for our students at HPU to grow
in wisdom and discernment as they make purposeful decisions.
It’s why HPU is committed to the philosophy that an extraordinary educational experience must include academic excellence, but it must also be framed with the life skills and real-world experiences that prepare students to apply context to understanding. How else can they make wise choices in a global marketplace that demands quick decisions?
We are determined to ensure that HPU is equipping our students with a powerful potion that includes scholarly achievement and premier life skills development. It must include a focus on modeling values that guide graduates for the rest of their lives, regardless of what the talking heads on TV are saying.
Of course, it’s not easy. However, there is a way to stand firm in your values while remaining respectful and civil with those who do not share the same beliefs.
As a university president, a parent of four children and a grandparent of nine, I believe that leadership should always be forward thinking. It must be realized fully through the prism of the long-term, future view. We don’t lead HPU based on the headline of the moment. One shouldn’t make decisions based on the fervor of the media or the tyranny of the urgent. HPU is not a perfect school, but we certainly always strive to respect everyone while honoring our God, family and country values.
Today, we know that HPU has never been better positioned for sustainable success. We are attracting students and families from across this nation and the world. Our student profile, academic programs, research grants, philanthropic investments, student life facilities, physical campus and every other important category that creates an extraordinary learning environment are all quickly moving upward! We are growing thoughtfully and meaningfully on merit and by design. Here are a few examples.
In the First-Year Seminar on Life Skills that I teach for all freshmen, I share with our students that life is about both success and significance. Significance offers greater clarity and reflects the influence and impact you have on others. Yes, we must feed the minds of our students, but we must also feed their hearts.
You will notice throughout this magazine that HPU has launched several new graduate schools in nursing, optometry, dental medicine and law. Schools of this caliber carry great prestige and responsibility. They can only be launched with the best facilities, the most credentialed faculty and highly capable students.
Some of these students will go on to save lives or improve the lives of patients. Some will have the responsibility of upholding the American Constitution to provide liberty and justice for all.
These programs support HPU’s values and the success we’ve achieved thus far. Already, some HPU graduates serve as physician assistants, physical therapists and pharmacists.
A day rarely passes when global leaders aren’t on our campus connecting with students. Dozens of global leaders have joined HPU’s Access to Innovators Program. They appreciate HPU’s distinctive approach to education and the opportunity to mentor our students. Nowhere else do college students regularly learn from so many like Apple Computer Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence; Netflix Co-Founder Marc
Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence; Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence; Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner, HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence; William Kennard, former U.S. Ambassador, FCC Chairman and current chairman of the Board of Directors of AT&T; and many others who’ve led some of the most recognizable organizations in the world.
What would you do if you could have coffee with the CEO of one of the world’s largest restaurant franchises or lunch with the first Black female CEO of the Dallas Mavericks? What if you could build a machine that reads brain waves with the person who literally invented the personal computer? Our students have done these things, and the experiences are profoundly life-changing. You can read about just a few of their stories on page 74.
I celebrate and honor the academic achievements of our students every day. From Fulbright recipients and Goldwater scholars to research papers published by undergraduate students in highlevel journals, what our students accomplish reflects the fact that our student body and our faculty are among the best of the best. Our campus is filled with laboratories and real-world studios that are often referred to as Ivy League-level facilities. Inside, students and faculty work tirelessly to conduct research, produce creative works, master the latest technology, invent new ways of doing things and tirelessly practice scenarios that students will encounter in the workforce.
What our professors guide students to achieve in and outside of the classroom truly fulfills our promise to families: At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.
This magazine will help you understand HPU’s unique approach to education, but there’s no substitution for seeing our extraordinary campus in person. I invite you to visit and experience why our students love living and learning here. It helps that HPU is also ranked among the best in the nation for career services, campus beauty, food and dorms! At HPU, you’ll also find dozens of national flags representing the countries from which our students hail. We are educating our students to be successful, global citizens.
I live in grateful awe of the thousands and thousands of HPU supporters who appreciate our HPU values and see them as aligned with their own principles, at home and at work. We are blessed and highly favored, and we thank God for it every day.
Enjoy this publication and take time to learn more about the purposeful work that is taking place at HPU. Our call to action is: Choose to Be Extraordinary! Yes, it is a choice we can all make.
Consider this an open invitation to visit The Premier Life Skills University. We welcome you.
Sincerely,
Nido R. Qubein HPU PresidentInnovation is in HPU’s DNA, and students thrive on it. HPU’s transformational growth demonstrates both a focus on instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in students and the faithful courage to build a learning environment for the next generation of leaders. HPU’s holistic educational model prepares students for many avenues of success, whether it be working for a major corporation, becoming a teacher or engineer, starting their own company and much more.
Academic innovation is an HPU foundational pillar that supports all areas of students’ education and helps develop the technical skills they’ll need in their professions. Like the spark of a lightbulb, academic innovation infuses new ideas, discoveries and creative solutions — and prepares graduates for the world as it is going to be. They begin their careers equipped with the distinction and competitive edge they need to become influential innovators.
“HPU graduates will be builders who discover new ways to solve old problems; that’s what innovation is all about.”
Apple Computer Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence
Every High Point University freshman takes a course taught by iconic leaders most people never get the chance to know.
It’s called the First-Year Seminar on Life Skills with President Qubein and Friends, and it’s led by HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein and a circle of industry insiders from a variety of fields.
At HPU, students not only know President Qubein, but they know he cares about them and wants to invest in
their personal and professional development. That’s why he also invites leaders of successful organizations, including the CEOs of major enterprises and more, to teach alongside him.
Qubein has owned multiple businesses, served on boards such as Truist, Great Harvest Bread Co. and La-Z-Boy, and served as a consultant to companies around the world.
As freshmen begin their journey at HPU, Qubein shares some practical wisdom on life skills –the kind that major organizations across the world invite him to share with their executive leadership teams.
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you end up; they merely determine where you start,” he tells them.
“Who you spend time with is who you become,” he recalls his mother telling him when he was a boy.
And, “Dedicate your life to the rule of thirds –one-third in learning, one-third in earning and one-third in serving.”
HPU’s campus is the physical manifestation of these proven principles. To understand how it has achieved growth rarely found elsewhere in higher education, you can start by understanding that transformation is second-nature to Qubein.
In 2005, HPU was considered by many to be a small, dusty old college. There were millions of dollars of deferred maintenance on campus. Meanwhile, a national conversation was taking place about the viability of small, private colleges.
Enter Qubein, who was about to become chair of HPU’s Board of Trustees. Instead, the board asked him to become president.
He brought vision, principled strategy and invigoration to campus. He challenged faculty, staff and students to help take HPU to national and international distinction, a feat that seemed impossible to some.
Qubein grew up in the Middle East and came to America as a teenager with limited knowledge of English, yet he went on to achieve the American Dream. He attended what was then known as High Point College, and afterward, his business career took off. By the time he came back to HPU as president years later, he knew a thing or two about transformation because he had built and transformed many organizations.
“Nothing is impossible,” Qubein also tells students in the Life Skills Seminar. “Add an apostrophe and the word becomes ‘I’m possible.’”
Through his experience, growth mindset, appreciation for his alma mater and passion to lead, HPU’s future became possible, too.
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you end up; they merely determine where you start.”
Nido Qubein, HPU President
Qubein led a team to enact a strategic growth plan in every facet – academics, facilities, student support services, infrastructure and more. Campus was physically transformed to not only remove deferred maintenance, but to reimagine the entire educational experience HPU provided.
Consider the enormous leaps HPU has made since Qubein’s leadership began:
• Enrollment has nearly quadrupled from 1,673 students in 2005 to 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students today.
• $3.1 billion has been invested into HPU’s academics, campus, student services and more, including $500 million for STEM programs and facilities on HPU’s Innovation Corridor.
• Total campus assets have increased by 1,864%, growing to more than $1.1 billion.
• The size of the endowment and reserves have more than tripled, from just $45.3 million in 2005 to nearly $140 million today – a 209% increase.
• HPU now has 13 academic schools and has added 10 of those since 2005.
• Nearly $700 million has been raised without a formal campaign.
• 99% of HPU graduates begin their careers or enroll in graduate school within 180 days of earning their HPU degree. HPU outperforms the national outcomes rate by a whopping 14 points.
• Financial aid has grown by 1,438% since 2005. HPU provides nearly $100 million annually in institutional aid and scholarships, compared with $6.5 million in institutional aid and scholarships in 2005.
Under Qubein’s leadership, HPU first achieved doctoral degree granting status in 2012. Since that time, prestigious graduate programs have become a cornerstone of HPU’s academic programs.
Master’s programs in physician assistant studies, athletic training, biomedical sciences, healthcare administration and more have flourished in recent years,
along with doctoral degree programs in pharmacy, physical therapy and medical sciences.
They’ll continue to multiply in the coming years. In 2024, HPU anticipates enrolling its first students in the Workman School of Dental Medicine and the School of Law. A School of Nursing was founded this year, and a School of Optometry is also underway.
It’s all part of HPU’s $400 million investment in academic expansion, which also includes a school of entrepreneurship. Students in these new schools will benefit from interdisciplinary learning by connecting and collaborating with each other.
Most of these schools will be built in a hub on the university’s Innovation Corridor. Congdon Hall, which houses the Congdon School of Health Sciences and Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, is also located in the centralized hub for graduate education.
“High Point University has an excellent reputation in establishing undergraduate and graduate-level degrees, and these schools are a continuation of our commitment to prepare graduates for the world as it will be,” said Qubein.
Transformation is in HPU’s DNA. Students are drawn to the university’s entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to build something new from the ground up. Every year, there’s a group of students on campus who are “the firsts” – the first cohort of pharmacy students, physician assistant students, physical therapy students, nursing students, biomedical students and so on. Those students are excited for HPU’s continual growth because they know it translates into their personal and professional growth, too.
Piper Dillon, a nursing major from Aldie, Virginia, joined HPU’s inaugural cohort of nursing students in the fall of 2022 to help pave the way for future nursing students.
“Thinking about the students coming in after us, we are able to help form the HPU nursing program through our experiences,” said Dillon. “I’m excited to shadow the registered nurses in the hospitals where we have clinicals to see what our future will look like and to learn more about their experiences in health care.”
Gabrielle Ryan is a member of the inaugural class for HPU’s biomedical sciences degree, which welcomed its first cohort in the fall of 2022. Originally from Durham,
North Carolina, she appreciates the opportunity to be part of a new program with fresh perspective.
“Being a student in the first cohort of the biomedical sciences program is a blessing and honor,” said Ryan. “Having the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing program has built my confidence in the classroom on a graduate level and has exposed me to various health care professions as well.”
In the months to come, HPU will welcome inaugural cohorts of students in law, dental medicine, optometry and more. And students, like Dillon and Ryan, will help pioneer the future of health care.
HPU has welcomed dynamic leaders with the experience, enthusiasm and wisdom needed to build new graduate schools. They share HPU’s commitment to student success and desire to continually transform. Meet a few of the deans who will launch some of HPU’s next prestigious schools and prepare future generations of practitioners.
HPU has established a School of Nursing that Dr. Racquel Ingram is leading as founding dean.
Ingram joined HPU’s Congdon School of Health Sciences in 2021 as founding chair and assistant professor for the Department of Nursing, where she worked to lay the groundwork for a nursing curriculum along with Drs. Daniel Erb, provost, and Kevin Ford, dean of HPU’s Congdon School of Health Sciences. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program welcomed its inaugural class in the fall of 2022.
While a nursing department typically offers undergraduate programs, establishing a School of Nursing provides opportunities for HPU to develop additional undergraduate and graduate-level programs. It becomes HPU’s 13th academic school.
“Growing from a department to an academic School of Nursing paves the way to create graduate-level programs in terms of having a more traditional organizational structure,” said Ingram. “We are simultaneously excited about preparing the current student cohort and those to come for success as a safe, confident and competent practitioner.”
Dr. Catherine Heyman is the founding dean of HPU’s new School of Optometry. It will be North Carolina’s only optometry school.
Heyman envisions bringing HPU’s commitment to experiential learning to optometric education, emphasizing life skills and interprofessional education. The need for optometric doctors continues to grow in the United States.
“My goal is to create a student-centered, cutting-edge program that will educate future optometric physicians to practice full-scope optometry,” said Heyman. “Optometrists, as primary care practitioners, are well positioned to provide frontline care to all types of patients. Students pursuing a degree in optometry will open the door to a profession that provides fulfillment and personal satisfaction.”
Heyman is a Fellow and a Diplomate in the Binocular Vision and Vision Perception Section of the American Academy of Optometry and a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Her successful career includes previously serving as an associate professor and the associate dean of student affairs at Marshall B.
Ketchum University’s Southern California College of Optometry, where she earned her Doctor of Optometry in 1993. She also was coordinator of the Special Populations and Pediatric Low Vision Service at the University Eye Center at Ketchum Health and coordinator of the vision program at Beyond Blindness.
While HPU’s Workman School of Dental Medicine is blazing trails as the only private dental school in North Carolina, it’s also working to provide students the most hands-on, experiential dental education in the country.
“HPU’s innovative culture and the thriving community of health care programs are the talk of higher education,” said Dr. Scott De Rossi, founding dean of the School of Dental Medicine. “Dental education is experiential education. As our students are learning in the Triad, they will be caring for people in the Triad.”
Here are just a few examples:
The school has embarked on a daring and innovative model by acquiring dental practices across the state, empowering students to gain experience in real-world settings and providing patients with access to quality care from professional dentists and HPU faculty. The HPU Health network is already up and running with several offices treating patients throughout the Piedmont Triad. More practices will join HPU’s network as the school prepares to welcome its first students in 2024.
In 2023, HPU also became the first higher education institution to launch Epic, one of the dental industry’s most celebrated electronic health records (EHRs), in an educational setting.
The accomplishment was made possible by a partnership between California-based Pacific Dental Services (PDS), a leading dental support organization, and Epic’s Community Connect Program. This partnership between PDS and HPU is the first between a Dental Support Organization (DSO) and an academic institution.
“We are honored for the opportunity to work with HPU’s Workman School of Dental Medicine to enhance dental and medical data integration and enable the future of oral health care,” said Stephen Thorne, founder and CEO of PDS. “We are taking steps to lead the industry and elevate dentists from being primarily focused on fixing dentition to embracing their full potential and becoming a vital part of every patient’s primary health care team.”
HPU’s dental school is now home to the largest SIMtoCARE simulation lab in the nation. With 20 of the most cutting-edge haptic simulators, HPU dental students can safely learn procedures from fillings to root canals through life-like simulation in their earliest years of dental school.
Of course, with all the new students these programs are bringing to campus, HPU is expanding its infrastructure to support them.
That includes a new library, residential complex, parking garage and more. Here’s a glimpse of some new facilities coming to campus soon.
HPU’s recently announced $80 million library is made possible by a lead $30 million gift from John and Lorraine Charman. The new facility will be named the John and Lorraine Charman Library in honor of their generous contributions to the growth of the university. The Charmans have a love for literature, particularly in printed books.
“Helping build a state-of-the-art library at HPU is the perfect opportunity for us to share our passion for books with the HPU community. It is our sincere hope that this library creates another environment on campus for students to learn, grow and challenge themselves,” says Lorraine Charman.
The library will be focused on innovation and collaboration with ample study space for students. The four-story facility will provide 150,000 square feet of textbooks, digital databases, private study spaces, and a gallery featuring historical artifacts and displays of HPU’s expanding collection of artwork.
It will feature the Library of Congress Classification System and become the main library, supplemented by several existing satellite libraries across campus.
The $85 million Panther Commons opened in the fall of 2023 as the newest housing complex and student center on campus. It is home to graduate and undergraduate students and provides study spaces, a mail center, fitness studios and several retail stores such as a nail salon, a barber shop and a hibachi-style restaurant.
The 200,000-square-foot building stands five stories tall and houses 400 students. Located within walking distance of the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, at the corner of Farris Avenue and Panther Drive, Panther Commons is a hub of activity and engagement.
HPU’s first parking garage on campus has also opened behind Congdon Hall and the Wanek School of Natural Sciences. The fully enclosed garage provides ample parking for the future graduate schools, including the dental school and the law school, both of which will be built in this area. The $30 million facility has 1,200 parking spaces.
“HPU is very patriotic, has provided wonderful values, and has fostered the growth and transformation of my daughter into a well-spoken, intelligent, respectful and responsible young woman.”
NICOLE SCUDILLO
HPU Parent from Florida
“There is such a wonderful energy at HPU. Being on this beautiful campus, hearing Dr. Qubein’s vision and seeing his leadership and the campus growth, all while you’re surrounded with well-spoken, confident and competent young men and women, is exciting. I am proud and hopeful for the future.”
JULIENNE BARATA
HPU Parent from North Carolina
“Having two students on campus, we always leave campus with a sense of comfort. We feel they’re safe and happy on campus, and they are learning and growing so much.”
DONNA DONOHUE
HPU Parent from Connecticut
“Opportunities ABOUND at this university. If a student embraces everything that’s offered at HPU, then they will become an incredible individual.”
CHAD ROBERTS
HPU Parent from North Carolina
The opportunities for students to develop meaningful personal and professional growth at High Point University are unmatched. Personal and professional growth are woven into the fabric of an HPU education. As one example, HPU alumni regularly return to campus to mentor students, such as the ones pictured here. These successful graduates mentor current students and share with future students how HPU prepared them to succeed. From left to right are Cameron Scott, ‘17, coordinator of baseball development for the MLB; Amy Stamm, ‘14, head of social and editorial content at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum; Nikki Sanford, ‘13, a patent attorney at BakerHostetler; Lindsay Scott, ‘13, lead manager for talent development at Reynolds American; Dr. Jenny Kordell, ‘17, a resident physician in Denver, Colorado; Tyler Heaggans, ‘13, senior associate, customer transformation at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Emmy Beck-Aden, ‘22, a production coordinator for CNBC’s “Mad Money with Jim Cramer.”
For students, the goal isn’t to just thrive in class. It’s to maximize the student experience only found at The Premier Life Skills University. On these next few pages, you’ll hear in-depth stories of four individuals who will give only a glimpse into how they maximized their student experience at HPU. In these stories and throughout this magazine, you’ll see just how an HPU education pays off.
Scan this QR code to watch videos of HPU graduates, some of whom are featured on the following pages, and learn more about how HPU prepares students to achieve the careers of their dreams.
Every moment at HPU is intentionally designed to foster connection, creation and collaboration. Throughout this magazine, you’ll see just a few examples of opportunities that motivate students and play an active role in their success.
From a high school kid in Maryland who loved science to a West Coast lawyer who helps inventors patent their work, HPU was her launchpad.
Nikki Sanford never questioned her love for science, and neither did anyone else. After all, she double majored in physics and math at HPU.
But there was one question everpresent in her mind: “Which career path should I choose?”
For Sanford, a Presidential Scholar from Maryland, there were options. Should she apply to medical school or pursue a research-based Ph.D. program? Should she try a master’s program or look for a job right out of college?
Her HPU professors helped. Together, they considered each option and worked through the stress of defining her future.
An internship on Capitol Hill helped, too. John Mather, Nobel Prize laureate and physicist, funded the opportunity for Sanford to intern with the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee. She networked with political and scientific leaders, attended congressional hearings and conducted research, just like she had on HPU’s campus. A lightbulb turned on in Sanford’s mind during that time and illuminated a new question: “Why not go to law school?”
Today, Sanford is a patent attorney in Seattle, Washington. She’s built a career that combines her love of math and science at BakerHostetler, a national firm. She has four degrees – two from HPU in math and physics, a law degree from William and Mary Law School and a master’s in biomedical engineering from Columbia University.
She enjoys a full West Coast life, too. She runs ultramarathons — one marathon a day for seven days in a row — to help nonprofit organizations raise awareness
and funds to support multiple sclerosis and cancer research. She snowboards, hikes and serves as the president of Orchestra of Flight, a volunteer orchestra, where she plays the viola.
Her busy schedule doesn’t stop her from coming back to HPU where it all started.
“What drew me to HPU initially were the dorms and the campus,” Sanford admits.
She loved living at HPU. But then, she met the HPU family and saw their unwavering commitment to students.
“I came for Presidential Scholars Weekend,” says Sanford. “I met the professors and staff and saw that I could craft the kind of education I wanted. The small class sizes showed me I wouldn’t be just a number in a 100-person class. Everything was individualized and flexible. That’s what brought me here.”
She conducted and presented research during her time at HPU, met some of her best friends and built the foundation that she needed to thrive in her future. She and her classmates traveled to the American Institute of Physics Conference and many speaking engagements in various scientific fields. That’s where
she learned about the opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C.
And that’s why she tries to pay it forward. Even though she graduated from HPU 10 years ago in 2013, Sanford often flies 2,800 miles across the country back to her alma mater.
Whether it’s for Homecoming Weekend or a meeting for the Alumni Board of Directors, on which she serves, it’s the HPU family that still makes her want to come “home” to HPU.
When she’s on campus, she has lunch with current students whose shoes she was once in. She serves on and moderates several alumni panels throughout the year, too. The panels are filled with HPU graduates like Sanford who want to help students find their paths.
Just like HPU helped Sanford find hers. ■
Watch: Nikki Sanford explains how HPU prepared her for law school and her career as a patent attorney.
“The food was really amazing, and I love that students can eat there once a week. But it also served a purpose. I’ve gone to so many business meetings and client lunches at fine-dining restaurants. I’ve shared tips with my coworkers that I learned as a student inside 1924 PRIME.”
– Nikki Sanford, ’13, Patent Attorney at BakerHostetlerStarting at HPU, Tyler Heaggans developed the life skills needed to elevate his career long-term — finding success and significance in any role.
He hasn’t had just one great job. He’s had upward mobility in corporate roles at organizations including Family Dollar, Target and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
After graduating with a B.S. in accounting and finance in 2013, Heaggans launched his career in banking at Credit Suisse. Then, his career journey led him into the retail industry where he worked in pricing operations for both Family Dollar and Target.
Now, Heaggans is in the space of corporate consulting at PwC. He
He graduated 10 years ago, but HPU still feels like his home.
works with their customer transformation group as a senior associate, supporting pricing and profitability development and project management across industries. With a hybrid work schedule in Charlotte, North Carolina, Heaggans enjoys the flexibility and balance his career provides. Whether spending a day in the
office in the city, traveling across the country to meet clients or working from home, he likes that his days are never the same.
He has found success and wisdom throughout his career. As a lifelong learner with invaluable life skills,
he has contributed his talent to multiple impressive companies and continued to learn and thrive in new areas of business.
Today, Heaggans often returns to campus to mentor and network with HPU students, inspiring them to pursue their goals. He tells them how he was so determined to launch his dream career that he applied to almost 100 jobs before graduating.
“One of the quotes I live by is, ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,’” says Heaggans.
And it’s not just his professional work that continues to make him stand out.
He’s an active and involved individual; at PwC he helped start an inclusion network after only 10 months of joining the company. He volunteers his time at local organizations within his community and even at his alma mater through HPU’s Young Alumni Council.
He says it’s what keeps him going.
“I like to stretch myself the extra mile.”
After graduating from HPU, Heaggans took with him the confidence and experience to be comfortable in any room, in any environment, with anyone. He credits his confidence to his
extracurricular activities, the Office of Career and Professional Development and HPU’s alumni network. Heaggans encourages current students to take advantage of all the services and connections HPU has to offer.
He also reminds students to cherish their time here because there is nowhere else like HPU. Each time he drives onto campus, he still smiles.
“Take it all in; this place is amazing,” he advises students. “This is the fastest and best four years of your life.”
You’ll see and hear HPU’s call to action all around campus: Choose to Be Extraordinary. To Heaggans, choosing to be extraordinary means leaving something better than you found it. It’s what he’s done throughout his career. And it’s what makes HPU extraordinary to him.
“This is the place I came as a kid and left as an adult,” he says. “At HPU I was molded, coached and given professional skills.
“Dr. Qubein says our parents give us roots and HPU gives us wings. It’s true. HPU is where I got my wings. HPU is home and will always be home. I’m a lifelong HPU ambassador.”
Watch: Tyler Heaggans shares how his HPU education propelled him into a career with a Big Four accounting firm.
“Dr. Qubein says our parents give us roots and HPU gives us wings. It’s true. HPU is where I got my wings.”
Tyler Heaggans, ’13 Senior Associate, Customer Transformation, PricewaterhouseCoopers
She graduated ready to take on the challenges of working in the entertainment industry, and HPU helped her get there.
For as long as she can remember, Emmy Beck-Aden wanted a video camera in her hands. She started out at age 8 with her family’s camcorder. With the help of YouTube videos, Beck-Aden trained herself. She went on to win awards for her short documentaries as she used her video camera as a tool for social justice and community awareness. Her work sparked conversations and spurred people to act.
Today, Beck-Aden is a Class of 2022 HPU graduate who recently completed NBCUniversal’s Page Program in New York City. She served in a diverse array of assignments with departments throughout the company, including production, marketing and digital.
Just a few of the shows she had assignments on include “Saturday Night Live,” CNBC’s “Halftime Report” and NBC New York. She also frequently works with the studio audience on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
Since completing the program, Beck-Aden has stepped into a new role as the production coordinator for CNBC’s “Mad Money with Jim Cramer.”
“HPU provided me with unmatched opportunities, resources and mentors,” says Beck-Aden. “HPU instills confidence in students to pursue their passions and purpose through inspiration and collaboration.”
She has the passion. She received help from professors like Joe Michaels, HPU’s Broadcaster in Residence. The former director of the “TODAY” show for more than 22 years teaches TV production at HPU, and he mentored Beck-Aden to help her improve her skills for running a show.
She followed in his footsteps by beginning her career at NBCUniversal in the same role that launched Michaels’ career.
“HPU helped me place a deep emphasis on mentorship, collaboration and service,” says Beck-Aden. “I know these values are incredibly important inside and outside of the workplace, and I will continue to implement them in my daily life.”
Beck-Aden knew HPU would be purposeful in everything surrounding her education, and she always felt inspired to strive for her best and to encourage others to do the same.
That dedication has had impressive results. As an undergrad, she led productions and broadcast a variety of news, sports and entertainment shows while getting valuable advice from fellow peers, faculty and staff.
HPU helped her develop important networking and leadership skills through student engagement opportunities. And all her experiences culminated at the grand opening of HPU’s Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center during the 2021 Fall Family Weekend of Beck-Aden’s senior year.
She was part of a team of students that broadcast the Grammy Award-winning band Train at the opening weekend’s concert on the Jumbotron.
“It showed me how special the HPU community is,” she says. “This is a purposeful, intentional and caring place. The faculty and staff always go out of their way to provide students with opportunities beyond the classroom. It’s what you can put on a resume and what can give you an edge wherever you go.” ■
Watch: Emmy Beck-Aden shares how her hands-on experience at HPU prepared her to launch her dream career with confidence.
“HPU provided me with unmatched opportunities, resources and mentors.”
Emmy Beck-Aden, ‘22 Production Coordinator at CNBC
Finding his passion was only the beginning of what he discovered at HPU.
Bryce Smith, ’23, reached for the stars when it came to research. After all, it was the access to undergraduate research opportunities that led him to choose HPU in the first place.
From spending his summer diving into research through HPU’s Summer Research Program in the
Sciences (SuRPS) to seeking faculty mentorship — his experiences have paid off.
Already, the physics major from Evergreen, Colorado, has an incredible list of achievements under his belt. For one, he discovered a previously unknown star. Smith discovered what is a small dense star known as
a white dwarf, which is a companion to the hot subdwarf star BPM 36430 — a core helium-burning star at the hotter (blue) end of the horizontal branch phase of a star’s life.
The discovery was a collaborative research effort between Smith, Dr. Brad Barlow, associate professor of astrophysics, and astronomers at Boston University. His leading work was published in The Astrophysical Journal, one of the highest-ranked journals in astronomy and astrophysics, as a first and corresponding author.
When Smith was a freshman, he didn’t know the path he wanted to take. But when he found a mentor match with Barlow, he found an interest in astrophysics.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, then I got to dive into this (astrophysics) and I really enjoyed it,” says Smith.
HPU has science professors who have experience in many fields, so students have the opportunity to study just about anything they’re passionate about. For resources at HPU, there are plenty, according to Smith.
“Dr. Barlow has access to all of this incredible technology. I’ve used telescopes that are halfway across the world and traveled to where they are to use them in person.”
He joined Barlow at an international conference in Belgium that attracts astronomers from around the world who study evolved stars like hot subdwarfs. Undergraduates rarely speak at conferences like this, yet Smith presented his research and received rave reviews.
In the fall of 2022, Smith and Barlow spent five nights at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, one of the premier astronomical observing sites in the world, observing at the 0.9-m SMARTS telescope. There, Smith participated in all aspects of observing, including opening the telescope dome at dusk, filling the camera’s dewar with liquid nitrogen, pointing the telescope, acquiring data, and working with Python code to analyze the data.
“A lot of people think they know what they want to do but once they try it, they find out they don’t like it,” says Smith. “Being able to work on the telescopes in Chile and stay there allowed me to sample what that life is like. It helped me solidify that this is what I want to do after I graduate.”
Smith’s advice for underclassmen? “Try everything. Get experience in different areas and don’t look back,” he says. “That goes for research and social opportunities, too. Don’t sit in your dorm every night. There’s always something to do at HPU, whether that’s playing club or intramural sports or joining one of the many organizations on campus.”
Smith is in the Honors Program, Society of Physics Students, Alpha Phi Omega (the service fraternity) and Charcoal Pony (HPU’s improv troupe).
Smith has some stellar career plans after graduating in December with degrees in physics and math. His next step is to get a Ph.D. in astrophysics. After that, he plans to join the military to fulfill his aspiration of being a fighter pilot.
But Smith doesn’t want to stop there; he sees himself eventually becoming an astronaut. ■
Bryce Smith discovered a previously unknown white dwarf star companion to the hot subdwarf star, BPM 36430, by noticing the star’s pulses sometimes arrived earlier or later than expected, using data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) spacecraft. This is a sign that the star is “wobbling” in an orbit due to gravitational influence of another nearby star. He obtained follow-up data with a high-resolution spectrograph on the SMARTS 1.5-m telescope in Chile to confirm the wobble. His work confirms that the pulse timing method is an efficient avenue for discovering faint companions to hot subdwarfs and paves the way for future studies to be conducted with TESS.
The Wanek School of Natural Sciences is a 128,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that includes four stories of collaborative and innovative lab and classroom space. The orange, green and blue colors climbing the lobby walls, pictured here, represent the earth’s core, surface and atmosphere. It’s part of HPU’s Innovation Corridor, which represents a $500 million investment in STEM academics.
A year ago, Zane Sobejana found himself in Puerto Rico. He went with Dr. Jackson Sparks to present their findings to the Entomological Society of America.
Sobejana, a senior biology major and HPU Presidential Scholar, grew up in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. at age 13. He plays club volleyball, takes violin lessons and has helped start HPU’s Pre-Med Society. Sobejana has given three presentations on his fruit fly research. That includes going to a conference in Puerto Rico with Sparks, assistant professor and chair of the biology department.
“I would’ve never imagined having the experiences I’ve had at HPU. Nothing is out of reach.”
Angelina Pierre, ’24 Biology Major
“Professors like Dr. Sparks are parent figures to me, and I ask them for advice,” says Sobejana.
Sobejana presented his fruit fly research to a group of graduate students and researchers. He excelled, Sparks says.
Sobejana has always wanted to be a physician. He now knows that is within reach.
“Being an immigrant from the Philippines, that feels empowering,” Sobejana says. “I feel like I can do anything once I put my mind to it.”
In a frame on the fourth floor of the Wanek Natural Sciences building hangs Sobejana’s poster detailing his fruit fly research with Sparks and Wake Forest University. He passes it almost every day and always looks at his name.
“I’m proud of what I achieved,” says Sobejana.
Angelina Pierre chose HPU because of the career opportunities available in science.
She’s interested in becoming a doctor. She’s also interested in careers in pharmacy, dentistry, athletic training and nursing. HPU
offers academic opportunities in all four, and she knew professors would help her along every step.
But the other big draw? Access to undergraduate research.
Faculty of the Wanek School of Natural Sciences are committed to providing experiential opportunities and mentorship to help students find and reach their goals in the sciences.
“We listen to what students care about and ask, ‘What do you see yourself doing in 10 to 20 years? Let’s help you get to that place,’” says Dr. Brian Augustine, the school’s dean. “Everyone in this school has that mindset.”
Pierre, a senior biology major, works with Dr. Pamela Lundin, an assistant professor of chemistry, in researching a chemical dye used to detect health problems in humans.
With Pierre’s newfound knowledge comes extraordinary opportunities.
Pierre, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has presented at
conferences in San Diego, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Birmingham, Alabama. She is also one of the primary authors of a research paper detailing her works’ findings.
Yet, Pierre is more than a student of the Wanek School of Natural Sciences. She’s an advocate.
“I’m here, I’ve done it,” she tells interested students touring the school. “The possibilities here are endless.”
Pierre is a Natural Sciences Fellow, a Natural Sciences Ambassador, and a member of the school’s student advisory board.
She spends hours studying in the building — in a classroom or one of the study rooms on the first-floor study space known as The Hive. That’s her happy place.
“I would’ve never imagined having the experiences I’ve had at HPU,” says Pierre. “Nothing is out of reach.” ■
As he stood hidden from view inside HPU’s Culp Planetarium, Dr. Jacob Brooks held a ring in his hand.
“I’m not losing this!” he kept telling himself.
Calla Telzrow, Brooks’ girlfriend at the time, sat by herself a few rows up. She thought she was reviewing a new planetarium video. But she was surprised to see that the six-minute video contained photos and testimonials from their “boy meets girl” love story.
Brooks, a physics major, and Telzrow, a biology major, met during their freshman year at HPU. They studied together and became friends. Their friendship, though, grew into a relationship before they ventured to graduate school. Telzrow got a Ph.D. in genetics and microbiology from Duke University; and Brooks got a Ph.D. in physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. On a Saturday in January 2021, they came back to HPU, where Telzrow thought she was part of an alumni interview panel. Instead, Brooks led her to the Culp Planetarium inside the Wanek School of Natural Sciences and proposed to Telzrow. Brooks teamed up with Dr. Brad Barlow, director of the Culp Planetarium and astrophysics professor, to plan the proposal.
She said yes. They married in June of 2022. It was a big moment. But Brooks’ life has been full of big moments at HPU.
Brooks arrived on campus from Monkton, Maryland, a tiny community north of Baltimore, Maryland. He found a mentor in Dr. Briana Fiser, chair of HPU’s physics department. He worked with her on her biophysics research, and he collaborated with other students to develop an asteroid-chipping instrument for NASA.
In December 2015, Brooks graduated with a degree in physics and minors in chemistry and mathematics. At HPU, he found a career, a sea of friends and a chance to work with NASA scientists at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Last year, when he heard about the open visiting professor position in the Wanek School of Natural Sciences, he applied and got the job. He came back to his alma mater to teach. A few months later, the same month he defended his dissertation, HPU hired him full time.
Brooks is now educating others on the campus that first educated him, and Telzrow, now Calla Brooks, is a senior proposal specialist at PPD, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific.
“I did a lot of growing up here,” Brooks says. “I got my education here; I met my wife here. So, it’s comforting when I see students and remember when I was in their shoes. I want them to have an equally good experience as I had.”
‘I DID A LOT OF GROWING UP HERE’Jacob and Calla Brooks are pictured on HPU’s campus in 2021 after a surprise proposal!
The Congdon School of Health Sciences is where physician assistants, physical therapists, athletic trainers, biomedical scientists and other health care providers begin their journey to treat and care for people. Located in the flagship facility of HPU’s Innovation Corridor, the opportunity to conduct nationally published research, provide care to a variety of people from NFL players to community members and the chance to impact people’s lives awaits.
Here are a few quick ways HPU’s School of Health Sciences prepares health care providers who help many people heal, rehabilitate and improve their quality of life.
HPU is home to the only biomechanics lab of its kind on the East Coast — HPU’s Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab. NFL, PGA and UFC athletes have sought the experience and technological advancements found in the lab. It’s no wonder considering who and what is inside – physical therapy and athletic training experts with access to equipment you won’t find elsewhere to aid in preventing and rehabilitating injury while managing pain. That includes a zero-gravity treadmill; dozens of cameras with high-speed, 3D motion analysis; an environmental chamber that can mimic the desert or Mount Everest; and a DEXA scanner, also known as a bone density scanner. Everything needed to conduct research on how to heal quickly or prevent pain in the first place is found here.
In addition to HPU’s biomechanics lab, the Congdon School of Health Sciences is filled with ultramodern spaces. This includes a human anatomy and cadaver lab, simulation rooms with lifelike mannequins that mimic real patients, and a Virtual Reality and Clinical Gait Analysis Lab (VRCGAL). The VRCGAL has three missions: clinical research, student education and patient treatment. It’s one of many spaces where HPU students treat patients while gathering data that is later translated into published articles and conference presentations, allowing their work to create a lasting impact.
Excellence is expected and achieved in HPU’s School of Health Sciences. Class of 2022 physician assistant and athletic training graduates scored 100% first-time pass rates on their respective board certification exams.
PA graduates received a 100% score on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), which is 7% higher than the national average for first-time takers. Athletic training master’s graduates also scored a 100% pass rate on the National Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Their first-time pass rate far surpassed the three-year aggregate national average of 72.17%.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a PT pro bono clinic as robust as HPU’s. Community members who need physical therapy but don’t have health insurance to cover it can come here five days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic is staffed with a full-time clinician to treat patients and guide HPU students. For five years, the clinic has empowered students to gain hands-on experience while helping and building relationships with community members. The goal of the clinic, the students and the faculty who run it is to provide equitable access to excellent care.
“We are working here to help improve quality of life and manage pain,” says Dr. Alicia Emerson, assistant professor and director of clinical practice. “Our whole purpose is to see the humanity in the patient. If we can see them as who we are, then we can better help them.”
Whether students are working to become physician assistants, physical therapists or athletic trainers, HPU professors invite all students to conduct research and guide them through the process.
Brad Kanney, a 2023 physical therapy doctoral graduate, is one example. Kanney, from Columbus, Ohio, conducted, published and presented research throughout his undergraduate and graduate career at HPU.
“I got to work in HPU’s labs, and they’re all amazing,” says Kanney, who is now a sports physical therapy resident at Ohio State University.
As an undergraduate, his research with Dr. Roger Vaughan, associate professor of exercise science, and other students about the effects of amino acids on food intake was published in the Human Nutrition and Metabolism journal.
During his time as a graduate student, he researched dual-task ability and worked with people who have lower limb amputations. In February, Kanney and the HPU research team presented their findings at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting Conference in San Diego, California.
“HPU gives you the kind of opportunities you won’t find anywhere else,” he says.
Kelly Boles, ’19, ’20, and Alyssa Babcock Gibbs, ’19, can’t remember a time they didn’t want to be teachers.
Gibbs, who grew up in Easton, Connecticut, recalls her mother saying she wanted to be a teacher since early elementary school. Her own struggles learning to read only strengthened her goal to help others.
“I didn’t learn how to read until fourth grade, so I wanted to be the teacher that I needed when I was younger and make a difference in students’ lives,” says Gibbs.
Boles grew up in East Hampton, New York, with family members who encouraged her learning and inspired her to pursue education as a career.
“My mom was a teacher, and most of my older cousins were teachers, so at a young age, I was exposed to the ins and outs of the teaching profession,” says Boles. “I also always loved going to school and learning new concepts.”
The two met in HPU’s Stout School of Education and began a lasting friendship. Both are now fourth-grade teachers — Gibbs in Rockville, Maryland, and Boles in Fairfax County, Virginia.
“It is hard to beat HPU’s campus. From the beginning, I felt at home,” says Boles. “When I first toured the campus, I connected with students and professors in the Stout School of Education who
“My professors were instrumental in making me the teacher I am today — confident, passionate and independent.”
Kelly Boles, ’19, ’20 Fourth-Grade Teacher in Fairfax County, Virgina
took time to share their passion for both the school and teaching. From that point on, I knew HPU was unlike any other.”
All around campus you’ll see and hear this statement: At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.
But it’s more than a statement; it’s a mission and a promise.
“HPU’s mission held true for me,” says Boles. “I did receive an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.”
HPU immersed her in elementary school classrooms starting her freshman year.
“I learned quickly how to encourage students, collaborate with teachers and interact with administrators,”
says Boles. “My professors were instrumental in making me the teacher I am today — confident, passionate and independent. Even after graduating with my undergraduate degree in 2019 and my master’s in 2020, I still find HPU to be a valuable resource. They continue to inspire, encourage and push me to make my best even better.”
Gibbs agrees HPU began preparing her for teaching early in her
academic career. From the first semester of her freshman year and each year after, she was gaining experience in real classrooms and discovering what grade levels she would be interested in teaching. “Being in the classroom right away showed me that I wanted to teach higher grade levels,” Gibbs says.
During her freshman year, Gibbs traveled to Australia with other students and Dr. Leslie Cavendish, associate professor and chair of the Department of Educator Preparation. They toured elementary schools in three different cities, observing a variety of teaching styles, education types and school cultures.
“Seeing how different education is there compared to in the U.S. made this one of my favorite experiences,” says Gibbs.
Gibbs and Boles became close friends during their junior year when they both traveled with Cavendish to South Africa.
“During the trip to South Africa, we had the opportunity to go to a school for several days and be immersed in the culture of the school,” says Gibbs. “We got to teach a few lessons, went camping overnight with the students and stayed in the homes of families in the school. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life as I got a feeling of what it’s like to live and be a teacher there. Their educational model and culture were so different in a way I had never experienced before.”
Boles still talks about her trip to South Africa as one of the greatest teaching experiences of her life.
“We experienced a new culture, a new education system and new teaching practices together as a team,” says Boles. “I highly encourage all HPU students to push their boundaries and study abroad. Student teaching enabled me to put into practice all I had been taught. I learned from my cooperating teacher how to navigate a whole school year. I set up, organized, planned and established a welcoming classroom environment alongside a phenomenal cooperating teacher.”
Her fifth-year experience earning her Master of Education with a concentration in literacy at HPU completed a full circle for her.
“All of those experiences still play such an important role in my life as a person and as a teacher,” says Gibbs. “I can share so many cool stories and experiences with my students and make them excited for potential opportunities they get to look forward to in their futures. I love when students from years past come back and tell me they miss me or remember certain times in my room when I made an impact on them.”
Boles also finds her biggest reward to be her students.
“I love watching students when a concept clicks,” says Boles. “I enjoy hearing them relate concepts taught in class to their hobbies. It’s rewarding to see smiling faces as they enter the room excited to learn. Above all, I enjoy being inspired by them to be the best teacher I can be.”■
HPU’s Stout School of Education is one of six universities in the nation and the only one in North Carolina awarded a more than $10 million Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant to develop the capacity of principals or central office leaders to transform schools.
The grant is in addition to the nearly $10 million Teacher Quality Partnership grant from the U.S. Department of Education. In total, HPU will receive more than $20 million over the next five years for educator preparation. Both grants position HPU to increase the number of highly effective teachers, principals and other school leaders within 18 school districts in North Carolina.
New, extraordinary things are always taking place at HPU. Here are just of few milestone moments education students and faculty have celebrated.
The Nido and Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum opened in the spring of 2022 to provide a space of wonder, discovery and play for children and their families. The $30 million museum offers 75,000 square feet of exhibit and programming space, making it one of the largest children’s museums in the state. Already, the museum has received the Visitor Attraction of the Year Award by the North Carolina Travel Industry Association. The children’s museum provides an integral link in service and learning to HPU, which shares its resources as a conduit for internships, volunteers and experiential learning for early education instruction.
Steve Spangler, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) educator, bestselling author, television personality and business leader, joined HPU as the STEM Educator in Residence. Spangler is well known for his books and online resources, used by parents and educators to inspire young scientists. Spangler is also an internet sensation with his explosion-filled educational science videos on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.
Known as the modern-day Mr. Wizard, he has made countless science videos, appeared on daytime TV shows and founded Be Amazing Toys, a global manufacturer of science-based toys and kits sold all over the globe.
Academic innovation and experiential learning are the foundation of the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy. Housed in a world-class facility that was founded by accomplished faculty, HPU’s pharmacy school embodies the spirit of pioneering a new and impactful approach to education.
For students, that begins with hands-on learning early and often. Here’s a glimpse at a few of the many unique experiences HPU pharmacy students receive that help them learn, grow and lead faster.
Pharmacy faculty are recipients of grants and awards from prestigious organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and more. Innovative labs in the school and the latest instrumentation empower faculty to include students in their research and gain high-level experience. These include a teaching lab with specialty space to enable student pharmacists to apply the knowledge obtained from coursework to provide patient care; eight rooms of standardized client space equipped to record and critique students’ interaction with patients; and some of the most advanced biomedical research facilities available for medical biochemistry, medicinal chemistry and pharmacological research.
When potential pharmacy students tour HPU’s campus, they often can’t believe their eyes. In addition to everything the school offers, it’s situated on HPU’s Innovation Corridor and surrounded by resources all students appreciate. There are kiosks along the Kester International Promenade that offer complimentary snacks and beverages as students walk to class. Main buildings feature a Campus Concierge desk, where smiling staff answer any and every question a student may have. There’s Cottrell Hall, with robust career and professional development resources for all students, such as resume review and graduate school application assistance.
“The welcoming learning environment allowed me to make the most of my academic and professional experience at HPU,” said Kristen Korankyi, who received her Doctor of Pharmacy from HPU in 2021. “Through my involvement in peer tutoring and a number of community service experiences, I realized that I had a passion for teaching and wanted to do this as a graduating health care professional. I frequently went to the Office of Career and Professional Development for assistance in CV and letter of intent preparation. The advisors were friendly and gave me their time to ensure that I had the best presentation of myself to potential employers.”
One of HPU’s most unique programs that places students in real-world scenarios is the Longitudinal Patience Experience. The program pairs students with members of the community for several years while pursuing their Pharm.D. at HPU. They discuss overall health and medication plans, but they also discuss life in general and become friends. They get to know each other over coffee and conversation, sharing life stories and family photos. Ultimately, they get to know each other as people. That experience reflects the role that a community pharmacist fulfills with their patients. Before graduating, an HPU pharmacy student already has experience in building and maintaining long-term relationships with patients in the community.
When students join HPU’s School of Pharmacy, one of their first activities is to commit a day of service to the surrounding community. Throughout their education, their coursework also includes regularly volunteering at locations in the city such as Food Pantry of the Triad and the High Point Farmers Market to provide important health screenings. Their frequent contributions and regular presence are easily noticed throughout the city of High Point.
“Being in medicine and just giving back to the community and helping them is what drew me to pharmacy,” said Kristin Kajcienski, a pharmacy student who helps provide flu shots at clinics in the community. “We practice almost every week doing vial transfers and drawing up syringes.”
Like all HPU students, pharmacy students benefit from access to a growing list of global leaders. Already, they’ve worked with Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence, and Ellen Zane, CEO Emeritus of Tufts Medical Center and HPU’s Health Care Executive in Residence. With 30+ CEOs, trailblazers and global change agents already attracted to HPU’s campus, the ever-expanding list offers endless opportunities for mentorship and insight. Read more about HPU’s Access to Innovators Program starting on page 74.
In 2016, Dr. Jessica Fernandez arrived at High Point University as a member of the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy’s inaugural class. Today, she’s an example of where an HPU pharmacy degree can take you.
The VA (Veterans Affairs) clinic in Kernersville, North Carolina, has become the perfect place to combine her HPU education with a passion for helping others.
“I love my job,” says Fernandez, a clinical pharmacist practitioner in pain management. “These veterans sacrificed so much. Helping them is the least I can do.”
When veterans are referred to the VA clinic, Fernandez enjoys taking time to listen to each patient. Her work usually relates to treating pain caused by challenging injuries, and some days aren’t easy. But by listening to them and gaining their trust over time, Fernandez has seen the impact she can have.
“I’m dedicated to this clinic because continuity of care is important for the men and women who served,” says Fernandez, a Florida native. “At the VA, I can sit down with patients longer and focus on a particular problem more than other providers may be able to. I can give them individualized attention and build a relationship.”
After earning her psychology degree from a big state school, Fernandez knows how important it is to be in a place where you feel like the people genuinely care about you. That’s what brought her to HPU.
“I was used to being in classrooms with 200-500 students and never building a relationship with my professors,” she says. “When I met the faculty at HPU and saw how involved they were in student success, I knew it was the place for me.”
One of Fernandez’s favorite aspects of HPU’s education model is how the curriculum is uniquely structured. Experiential learning is a foundational element in the pharmacy school. Students learn basic sciences in the classroom alongside clinical practice outside the classroom throughout the year, rather than dedicated separate years for each.
“You get the full picture while learning,” says Fernandez.
Simulation labs with high-tech, lifelike mannequins prepare students to eventually begin their work in the community, where they provide vaccinations and wellness screenings.
“Within your first year, you start interacting and working with patients,” says Fernandez. “Having that experience early and learning how to build rapport with patients was crucial. It’s what I do every day in my job now.”
Fernandez and her peers were the first-ever graduates of HPU’s pharmacy school in the spring of 2020. And now, they’re showing the world what HPU pharmacy graduates can achieve.
“I love working with veterans,” Fernandez says. “I appreciate and respect everything they have done for this country. I always tell my patients that I have their back.”
solving skills. Best of all, it’s there when you want it — 24/7.
Engineering students get their feet wet with a 3D printer, vacuum former, PCB mill, computercontrolled router, laser cutter and state-of-the-art soldering gear. Students will get hands-on experience with these cutting-edge tools starting their freshman year. They’ll dream up and create new products for a design project or make innovative, eccentric machines on their own.
Stuck on homework? Need hands-on help in a lab? Just want to bounce around ideas? Students have access. Intimate classes and close studentfaculty relationships — those are the keys to students’ success in engineering, math and computer science at HPU. Plus, at HPU they’re in a premier life skills environment. Why is that important? Because students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills that go beyond engineering. Here, they learn how to sell their ideas and evaluate different perspectives —
essential skills for success in the sciences.
Discover just a few HPU advantages that let students engineer their future.
Engineers use math and science to solve people’s problems. The result? They make the world a better place, and HPU gives students the handson skills to lead a better future.
Students challenge themselves in the MakerSpace. It’s a free-flowing, low-stakes environment where students can sharpen their problem-
“Engineering is about tinkering. Every single one of my classes has a lab component. It’s about working in real stuff,” says Matthew Costantino, ’24, president of HPU’s Robotics Team. “We have an entire MakerSpace — all for students to make something.”
This electrical engineering student has compared notes with friends who are engineering majors at other schools. Based on what they tell him, HPU students have the edge. Costantino can do hands-on work himself — no red tape.
“If I have a cool idea at 2 a.m., I can go to the lab and get started. My friends can’t believe the access at HPU,” says the Naples, Florida, native.
Imagine working with Thomas Edison to create a lightbulb. At HPU, students get the next best thing. Apple Computer Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence since 2016 (pictured above) teaches students how to turn lightbulbs on with their minds and helps them build thought-controlled model cars.
On campus, he gets up close and personal with students. The purpose? To help them solve problems and troubleshoot. He leads microsessions with software engineering classes. He leads Q&A sessions with students interested in game design. He brainstorms with HPU Minds, a group that is using a headset to read brain waves and control devices. He also gives campus-wide presentations where students have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and connect. And yes, they get pictures taken with him and even ask him to sign their MacBooks.
“If it’s hard work,” says Wozniak, “it’s way more fun in the end.”
If you get a degree from HPU in cybersecurity, the future belongs to
you. Every company needs to protect itself from hackers. You will be in demand. There are only enough cybersecurity professionals to fill 66% of job openings, and the field will grow by 33% between now and 2030, according to a Forbes Advisor report.
Cybersecurity students study in the CELF — the Cybersecurity Engineering Learning Facility. Unlike at other schools, it has its own internet connection — no running afoul of HPU’s network. The only limit to what students can do in the CELF is one thing — their imagination.
HPU’s cybersecurity team earned top team honors in 2022’s two-day statewide TracerFIRE cyber competition sponsored by Scandia National Laboratories.
Computer science graduate Nick Greiner, ’23, competed as a postattack incident responder in TracerFIRE on a team with three other HPU students and got the highest score.
“I decompiled code to find flags and learned how to use a tool called Volatility that let me look at memory dumps. It was like a real-world experience,” says the Annapolis, Maryland, native.
Greiner gained more real-world experience as a student intern for the U.S. Department of Defense and landed a full-time position with the U.S. Government.
Students grow at HPU. Faculty push students to achieve beyond what they thought possible. That’s not all. The school itself is growing. Plans call for a new 80,000-square-foot building to open its doors in the fall of 2025. New majors in mechanical engineering and civil engineering are planned and will complement existing electrical and computer engineering degree programs.
If you like challenges, you will find them at HPU.
“I have a love for problem solving,” says Josslyn Payne, ’24.
Ask Payne what words best describe HPU, and the answer comes easily: extraordinary, creative and growth-mindset focused.
“It’s going into new opportunities, not expecting to be perfect but looking for opportunities to learn and grow,” says the Tampa, Florida, native who is double majoring in mathematical economics and data analytics and statistics.
Meet a mentor who goes above and beyond to set students up for success.
Q: How do you contribute to HPU’s mission to ensure every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people?
The key to everything is to show those around you that you genuinely care about them. One of my goals is to connect with the students so they feel comfortable in the classroom as well as accepted and valued members of our team. Once I’ve established trust with each student, we strategically work together to plan their course route and figure out their internship and career goals. If their goal is to work for a major sports league like the NBA or MLS, I help connect them with the resources and experiences to get there.
Q: How do you help integrate experiential learning into students’ education?
Beginning freshman year, our students have the opportunity to intern or volunteer for the HPU Department of Athletics. Whether it’s working in marketing, communications or operations, they gain valuable industry experience through handson learning. Many of these students work directly in the new Qubein Arena. We also have a very active student club, the Sport Management Association, where students interact with local and national sports professionals through trips to local sports organizations and national conferences. To further connect students with industry professionals, we produce the “HPU SMG Industry Insights Podcast” where we interview HPU sport management alumni who work in all areas of the sports industry at organizations like NASCAR, Fanatics and the MLB.
Q: How do you help students develop life skills that they will use to achieve lives of success and significance after they graduate from HPU?
Dr. Jenny Lukow, chair of the Sport, Event, and Hospitality Management Department and associate professor of sport management, has been a part of the High Point University family for 17 years. Working with driven students and faculty, she provides students of sport, event, and hospitality management the extraordinary resources and hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for successful careers after graduation. During her time leading the sport management major, Lukow has helped students land jobs at the NBA, Under Armour, the San Francisco 49ers and more.
One way is through our curriculum. We introduce them to the importance of internships and networking with industry professionals in our first-year courses. As early as freshman year, students have the opportunity to network with and learn from industry leaders like Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall. Then, our senior capstone courses allow them to apply the skills they’ve learned in real-world projects. We have connected with a variety of sports organizations for these projects, so students get to see the types of complex issues those organizations deal with daily. ■
Dr. Rhonda Butler is an assistant professor of management and teaches various undergraduate and graduate students in the Earl N. Phillips School of Business, the MBA Program and the Master’s in Communication and Business Leadership (CBL) Program. She also serves as director of the Strickland Women’s L.I.F.T. (Leading and Inspiring Female Trailblazers) Fellowship Program and the SWIM (Sompo Women in Insurance Management) Program.
Butler loves connecting students with exceptional leaders for inspiration, practical leadership knowledge, mentoring and career opportunities. Students see the passion she has for helping them succeed, and many call her their mentor.
Q: How do you help students develop life skills that they will use to achieve lives of success and significance after they graduate from HPU?
I care about my students and believe that they can create positive change in their chosen field and in the world. I strive diligently to equip and empower students with real-world knowledge, communication skills and other practical tools to help them become effective leaders.
In my classes, I aim to inspire students with these three customary Es: Expertise, Examples and Experience. We learn from leaders who share their firsthand knowledge and network with students. We examine leadership through real-world case studies, and students strengthen their knowledge and gain experience running simulated businesses in my management classes. These digital simulations provide opportunities for students to make strategic decisions, work as a team, solve problems and observe how their actions impact employees and organizational performance.
Q: What is a way that you provide students with experiential learning opportunities?
One way is by connecting students with the members of the Strickland Women’s Leadership Council. Each semester, students in the L.I.F.T. Fellowship meet with female CEOs,
presidents, senior leaders and trailblazers in various fields for two days of leadership development activities, workshops and mentoring. Additionally, students are paired with mentors and receive extraordinary opportunities to sit in on executive meetings, polish their professional writing and speaking skills, receive specific job coaching, collaborate on special projects and attend national events with their mentors.
I also encourage all students to participate in our annual Elizabeth Miller Strickland Women’s Leadership Summit. This event provides students with the opportunity to hear from and network with nationally recognized leaders. In the spring of 2022, Lynn Good, the chair, president and CEO of Duke Energy, was our keynote speaker.
Q: What’s one way you generate creativity or productivity?
One way I generate creativity and productivity is with stretch goals and collaboration. While I have high expectations for my students, I am committed to modeling success, coaching and making connections that inspire them.
I encourage students to value different perspectives and participative decisionmaking. I often reach out to faculty and staff members in other departments to collaborate on a new project or leadership development activity, so students witness how teamwork produces creativity and productivity. ■
The university welcomed 40 new faculty members for this academic year across the university’s 13 schools, including new faculty in the Workman School of Dental Medicine (pictured above) and the School of Nursing.
HPU students and chemistry professors Drs. Heather Miller (second from the right back) and Meghan Blackledge (far back right) received nearly $440,000 in support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue their research with students on antibioticresistant bacteria.
Sadie Flagg, a Class of 2024 chemistry major from Richmond, Virginia, was named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. The prestigious scholarship is given to exceptional sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering. The foundation seeks to identify and support students who show exceptional promise of becoming the nation’s next generation of leaders in STEM fields.
Daniel Desjarlais, a Class of 2024 international relations and criminal justice double-major, was awarded a Boren Scholarship. As a Boren Scholar, Desjarlais studied Turkish language and culture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison over the summer and at Azerbaijan University in Baku, Azerbaijan, through the fall 2023 semester. David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships are sponsored by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), a component of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO).
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $2.2 million grant to Dr. Comfort Boateng, assistant professor of basic pharmaceutical sciences in HPU’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy. The grant is part of the Avenir Award Program and supports early-stage investigators proposing highly innovative research in chemistry and pharmacology related to substance abuse disorders and addiction. Boateng’s proposal has the potential to provide medication discovery to treat disorders such as ADHD and substance use.
In May, HPU President Nido Qubein (left) interviewed Henry Kravis (right), co-founder and co-executive chairman of leading global investment firm KKR and chairman of the board of directors for SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity), at a special on-campus event to support the shift_ ed SEO Scholars program. Their conversation highlighted how business investments in education can transform communities.
Miranda Keith, a Class of 2023 graduate and Honors Scholar who majored in English with minors in biology and Chinese, received the Fulbright U.S. Student Program Award for an English Teaching Assistantship to Taiwan for the 2023-2024 academic year. In addition to Keith’s award, seven other HPU students were named Fulbright semifinalists in spring 2023.
Companies invest millions of dollars each year for employees to attend conferences and engage in professional development opportunities. But at HPU, this is built into the four-year academic journey, helping graduates stand out from their competition in job and graduate school interviews.
Illustrated on the right is Alo, one of HPU’s fine-dining learning labs that prepares students to win over a potential employer or client over a meal. From practicing fine-dining etiquette to gaining real-world wisdom in the First-Year Seminar on Life Skills with President Qubein and learning from global leaders in the Access to Innovators Program, HPU is committed to providing students with the life skills and network that set them apart. Employers notice and appreciate this. It’s why 99% of graduates of The Premier Life Skills University are employed or furthering their education within 180 days of graduating. That’s 14 points higher than the national average.
“Life skills are going to work for you regardless of where your career and life take you.”
Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence
HPU students work with the Office of Career and Professional Development to light the spark of their calling.
They shake hands. They answer questions with confidence. They land their dream jobs.
These are common experiences for High Point University students. With a 99% success rate, it’s not surprising.
HPU students understand what it takes to not only get a job but to create a long-lasting career. They have the life skills to succeed outside of the classroom.
“HPU helped me develop an innumerable amount of life skills,”
says Mia Clemons, a Class of 2023 graduate who majored in biology and minored in business administration and finance. She secured a position in GE HealthCare’s Commercial Leadership Program months before graduation.
“My communication, emotional intelligence and professional skills developed immensely, allowing me to achieve success as a student and preparing me for success following graduation.”
She received mentorship and guidance from a number of faculty, staff and alumni. Robert Tillman, career advisor in the Office of Career and Professional Development was one standout mentor.
“He was instrumental to my success at HPU,” she says. “Mr. Tillman supported me as a student and as an individual, providing me with guidance and advice in navigating my undergraduate experience. He is a smiling face in the career office and is always willing and eager to assist any students in need.”
“HPU helped me develop an innumerable amount of life skills. My communication, emotional intelligence and professional skills developed immensely, allowing me to achieve success as a student and preparing me for success following graduation.”
Mia Clemons, ’23 GE HealthCare Commercial Leadership Program
Here’s a sample of where some recent graduates launched their careers:
Kate McCarthy, ’23 Client Services Development Program
Visa
“HPU has the resources, mentors and programs that help students sharpen their passions and aim for more. The Office of Career and Professional Development helped me navigate the current job market and gain the skills needed to excel in my job search and interviews.”
Billy Mathias, ‘22 Medical Student
Penn State College of Medicine
“The caring professors, advisors and meaningful experiences I had at HPU prepared me for success in medical school.”
Morgan Smith, ’23 Partner Marketing Specialist
Cisco Technologies
“HPU’s inspiring environment helped position me with like-minded individuals who also strive for success.”
Ashton Kajcienski, ’22
Experience Manager/Operations Supervisor
Live Nation Entertainment
“Through the opportunities HPU provides, I gained the communication, conflict management and leadership skills needed to be an effective leader and manager. As early as my freshman year, I met with my career advisor, Emily Long, in the Office of Career and Professional Development.”
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Students are impacted by the Office of Career and Professional Development –from top to bottom.
“Dr. Doug Hall, vice president of Career and Professional Development, went out of his way to invite me and another student into his office to speak with us about postgraduate career opportunities in our field,” explains Clemons.
“He walked us through different opportunities and made sure to share and promote resources for preparing for the application processes, which truly speaks to how passionate he is about the success of HPU students,” she says. “Experiencing that kind of passion and care for my success truly meant the world to me.”
Moments like these are what set the HPU student experience apart. Students enter college unsure of their first steps. The career office guides them through a course
that covers career exploration, professional branding, networking and so much more.
Those steps mesh with other facets of campus life. They help students find opportunities for experiential learning on and off campus.
An entire ecosystem of career and professional development is found at HPU. It includes support from faculty, parents, alumni and employer partners.
“The university’s collaborative nature informs our success rate,” says Hall. “It ensures that our students are hearing the importance and relevance of career development within their living and learning community.”
The ripple effect is felt by all students across campus. They always have someone in their corner ready to lend a hand no matter their discipline.
“Having access to so many successful professionals inspired and drove me to work toward achievement,” says Clemons. “I have been motivated beyond measure by hearing the journeys of trial and success from dozens of accomplished professionals.”
Clemons is one example of how a life skills education can provide an unmatched return on investment.
Alex Bouvier, a Class of 2023 strategic communication graduate, found his future at Amazon as an area manager following graduation.
He completed an internship with Amazon the summer before his senior year. He performed so well that he was offered a full-time job after graduation that September. He entered his senior year way ahead of the game.
It’s a big responsibility. Amazon area managers oversee a team of 50-200 associates in a fulfillment center. But Bouvier knows he can do it.
“HPU taught me how to communicate effectively and lead a team of associates,” he says. “These life and leadership skills helped me succeed in my internship. Now as an area manager, when leading a team of 50-200 associates, I need to communicate well with a broad group of individuals. I need to draw the line between pushing the planned volume for the day while also working with my team to look out for their well-being. HPU taught me how to do that.”
His hard work paid off. Bouvier took on life after graduation with a clear head and confidence in his abilities.
“HPU’s inspiring campus and 99% outcomes rate are not coincidental. HPU’s environment pushed me to land a great internship and work hard,” he says.
Employers are impressed by the professionalism of HPU students. Students are attentive, intellectually curious and driven, and they have the willingness to learn as well as contribute their skill set to the workspace.
When HPU students articulate and demonstrate this, employers are attracted to them in a way that has them seeking more HPU students for talent development.
It goes beyond technical skills. HPU students are adaptable, emotionally intelligent, motivated and hardworking.
“Having emotional intelligence and being aware of others is important when going into a management role such as mine,” says Bouvier.
HPU sets students up with a running start ahead of the competition.
Another HPU graduate can tell you how she scored a slam-dunk career.
Cassady Kreuser, a Class of 2022 graduate, took the jump and landed with the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team as a booking coordinator.
Sure, she was nervous. But she didn’t let her nerves stop her from taking the shot.
“I applied what I learned from HPU’s Office of Career and Professional Development to create my resume and hone my interview skills,” she explains. “That led me to get this role.”
She knew she was ready to handle the big leagues. And HPU helped her gain the confidence to get there.
“HPU taught me to never undersell myself,” says Kreuser. “HPU gave me connections and showed me how to market myself. The growth mindset HPU imbued in me helped me to achieve this position by teaching me that growing and learning are lifelong processes. HPU’s inspiring environment gave me a positive mindset, knowing that with the skills I learned and connections I made, I would succeed in life after graduation.”
Kreuser is glad she took the chance and applied for the position. She now lives in Memphis, Tennessee, where she interacts with clients, promoters, agents and managers in her role.
“HPU made me a well-rounded person with the leadership experience that taught me to adjust and succeed in a workplace environment.”
It was a full-circle moment for Kreuser and many others like her. HPU’s Office of Career and Professional Development pushes students not to fumble these types of opportunities.
Students are educated holistically in a collaborative environment. Every corner of campus is ready to champion students and see them succeed. ■
The Office of Career and Professional Development educates and empowers all students in their professional journey. Here’s a glimpse at a few ways they accomplish this:
A five-phase professional development program, HPU’s Internship Guarantee covers career exploration, professional branding, networking, research, and interview process and protocol, and guarantees an internship for any student who completes the program.
Held inside the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, this day-long event brings 80+ companies to campus, including Coca-Cola Consolidated, Amazon Web Services, NBCUniversal, Novant Health, Labcorp, Kontoor Brands, Wrangler, Rock and Republic, and more.
Along with the larger expo, there are smaller, major-based Focus Fairs held throughout the year to connect students directly with employers in their specific industry.
LinkedIn Photo Days are held multiple times throughout the semester and during the Career and Internship Expos for students to receive free, professional headshots that can be used on their LinkedIn profiles.
Depending on their major or career field of interest, HPU students are matched with a career advisor for a personal, direct approach to career preparation. These one-on-one advising appointments help students fine-tune their resumes, create cover letters, go over internship, job and graduate school applications, practice mock interviews and more.
In addition to helping students secure traditional internships, HPU provides in-depth, fast-paced work experiences that stand out on resumes. From exclusive opportunities for students to work at The Masters Tournament to HPU’s Life Skills and Leadership Development Program at companies such as Coca-Cola Consolidated (see page 56), HPU provides access for students to network with executives and experience what it’s like to lead a company from the top down.
is going to be.
Here are just 10 of many unique life skills learning labs at HPU.
In the Qubein Arena and Conference Center, students find invaluable mentorship by conducting research with a faculty member and presenting their findings during a symposium or by attending career fairs where they’ll meet recruiters, land internships and jobs, and see their dreams become reality. Inside the arena, the Panther Boutique and Team Store is a merchandise store designed and operated by HPU students. From product development to customer service, students gain hands-on experience.
HPU President Nido Qubein teaches a course required for all freshmen. This weekly seminar helps students develop fiscal literacy, time management skills, effective communication, leadership abilities and much more. The seminar also includes sessions with global leaders who serve in residence at HPU, such as Russell Weiner, CEO of Domino’s and HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence.
While some colleges provide an etiquette class during a student’s senior year, HPU provides students with four years of career preparation inside 1924 PRIME and Alo, HPU’s fine-dining learning labs. Here, students practice their interview and etiquette skills over a weekly dinner as part of their meal plan. In addition, they’re exposed to a wide variety of cultural cuisines and traditions.
Inside the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication is a space that most students only find outside a college campus. A fully operational TV studio with cameras, teleprompters and an operations room is housed here. Communication majors broadcast live shows and work on class projects in the full-size studio equipped with state-of-the-art technology. This space ensures students will be comfortable in a real-world newsroom.
This boutique hotel is one big classroom. Students in hospitality management learn what it takes to run a hotel in the Jana and Ken Kahn Hotel with the help of HPU professors and seasoned staff in the hospitality industry. The Kahn Hotel is a learning lab integrated into the curriculum of the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication. This academic configuration gives hospitality management majors vital experience to succeed in their careers.
Located in Plato S. Wilson Hall, this interactive trading room is where students watch how the market affects funds in real time. A live stock ticker circles this classroom while students use trading software throughout their courses. The preparation students experience in the Tilley Trading Room sets them up for working in the finance industry after graduation.
The Shelton Innovation Lab features multiple stations that allow for different STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) lessons and activities to take place inside HPU’s Stout School of Education. Education students lead classes, learn practical applications for lesson planning and more.
HPU’s Entrepreneurship Center is a collaborative space for students to compete and share business plans, win money for their ventures, gain access to experienced business leaders and so much more. The center breeds collaboration and creativity and is fluid with current business trends and needs. Students learn new venture concepts using real-world scenarios based on the center’s interactions with the local business community and in-residence faculty experts.
HPU’s Caine Conservatory brings the beauty of the arboretum and botanical gardens inside for research and enjoyment. The space provides a living laboratory for classes in the sciences to teach topics related to biogeography, comparative anatomy, horticulture and more. Classes from the arts also use the space for sketching and even dance performances. The innovation found in the Caine Conservatory reflects the university’s commitment to perseverance, adaptability and a growth mindset.
HPU students thrive in real-life scenarios because they test themselves in a similar setting. Inside Plato S. Wilson Hall is an executive boardroom that mirrors the environment students will experience after graduation. This allows students to get comfortable with presenting themselves in a corporate setting.
Chris O’Malley presented his ideas about opportunities for growth to the executive leadership team at Coca-Cola Consolidated while working as an intern through HPU’s Life Skills and Leadership Development Program.
A few hours later, the Class of 2023 business administration major from New Milford, New Jersey, watched his ideas go into effect.
“I learned just how valuable an amazing culture is to a company, and I don’t want to settle for anything less than what I experienced,” says O’Malley.
Coca-Cola Consolidated, Caffey Distributing and the Phillips Collection are some of the participating partners in HPU’s Life Skills and Leadership Development Program that guarantee
professional development experiences for HPU students.
During their internships, students regularly engage with senior leadership, develop their networking skills, problem-solve for real-world companies and learn how to make a seamless transition into a professional setting. The work of these students carries on well after their internship ends and makes a significant impact on the companies.
“Partner organizations feel they are getting the best and the brightest from High Point University,” says Megan Parker, HPU’s director of corporate relations. “Company leaders notice students’ professionalism, communication abilities and self-confidence.
“We’re excited about the program’s growth and have had conversations about partnerships with organizations that filter into the Fortune 500 category. And the feedback we’ve received from students is phenomenal,” says Parker.
Emily Stillion, a junior marketing major from Scarborough, Maine, said her internship in Coca-Cola Consolidated’s customer management department helped prepare her for her future by evolving the skills she needs to thrive in a future workplace.
“The tools and skills that HPU provides me with while getting my undergraduate education are fantastic,” says Stillion. “Applying those and seeing what other skills I need to acquire before I graduate are extremely beneficial insights.”
Christian Sawina, a senior finance major from Westfield, New Jersey, said his eight-week appliedlearning internship with Coca-Cola Consolidated was packed with meetings, project work and talent development sessions. Those led to a final presentation in front of senior managers, vice presidents and executives.
“I have learned an inexpressible amount about how a company operates, the different parts of the business and how important each one is to the mission of Coca-Cola Consolidated,” says Sawina. “To be part of a team of 16,000 people working together was nothing short of extraordinary.”
Michael Blanchard, a Class of 2023 computer science major from Newbury, Massachusetts, was also selected for an IT security role.
“This internship structure provided a good balance between independent work and collaboration,” says Blanchard. “I got a taste of the different aspects my future career may hold.”
After graduating, Blanchard returned to Coca-Cola Consolidated full time as an identity management specialist in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Lessons learned and connections made during the program prepare
students to not only join the workforce but be impactful and desirable employees as they begin their career journey,” says Senior Manager of Talent Development for Coca-Cola Consolidated Skipper McInerney.
“We value the quality of work, professionalism and servant leadership HPU students demonstrate, and look forward to continued partnership with HPU’s outstanding student population,” she says.
Brittany Bell, a Class of 2021 entrepreneurship major with a minor in hospitality, began her career through an internship with Caffey Distributing during her senior year at HPU.
“Your first day as an intern, you’re already a part of the Caffey family,” says Bell. “The program sends you through a cross-training with each department so you can experience the day-to-day roles of delivery, operations, sales and administration.” Caffey’s open-door policy allowed Bell immediate access to executives. On the final day of her internship, she was offered a job as a marketing coordinator. After a year with the company, she stepped into her current role as brand management coordinator.
“The experience I gained at Caffey has been beyond helpful in my current career,” says Bell.
The Phillips Collection, a designdriven contemporary furniture company, selected Annie Perry, a Class of 2023 business and communication major, as its first intern last spring when it joined the Life Skills and Executive Leadership Program.
Jason Phillips, vice president of sales and marketing, praised Perry’s contribution to the family-owned company and agreed that partnering with HPU has led to success.
“There have been many benefits to participating in HPU’s internship program, both for the intern and for us,” says Phillips. “By providing support and guidance throughout the internship process, we ensure that HPU interns are well-prepared to enter the workforce and be positioned for success in their chosen careers.”
“I’ve always been impressed by the intellect and maturity of the candidates we work with,” he says. “It gives me hope that there is a bright future ahead for those willing to approach career development seriously.”
HPU’s Life Skills and Executive Leadership Development Program provides a distinctive way for students to experience a 360-degree view of a company from entry-level to executive leadership roles.
“The tools and skills that HPU provides me with while getting my undergraduate education are fantastic. Applying those and seeing what other skills I need to acquire before I graduate are extremely beneficial insights.”
Emily Stillion,
The airplane fuselage, pictured here, is found inside HPU’s Cottrell Hall. This space was designed with learning in mind and allows students to practice their networking, social and communication skills. Hidden gems like this are found all around HPU’s campus and help students cultivate meaningful connections and develop invaluable life skills.
Discover more on page 92.
Every moment at HPU is intentionally designed to foster connection, creation and collaboration. Throughout this magazine, you’ll see just a few examples of opportunities that motivate students and play an active role in their success.
Meet the couple whose campus involvement at High Point University led them to not only extraordinary opportunities, but to each other.
As a high schooler in Simi Valley, California, Rachel Callaway, ’17, ’18, had heard all about the big universities in her state, but she was seeking a school with a more individualized focus on her success.
She first connected with High Point University at her high school’s college career fair. Once she learned about HPU’s diverse extracurricular offerings and dedication to preparing students for the real world, she knew it was a perfect fit. She also knew she wanted to study communications and was interested in working with politicians.
That interest led her to interview with HPU’s Student Justice Program, where students are selected to act as voting members of the University Conduct Board and University Honor Board.
That’s where she first found her lasting match.
“As I left the interview, I texted my mom to say, ‘I don’t think I got the position because there was a cute boy in there, and I couldn’t really focus,’” she says with a laugh.
At the time, Josh Gilstrap, ’16, was a junior majoring in computer science and philosophy and a Student Justice who had overcome his homesickness for Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Josh first heard about HPU while visiting family in North Carolina and spontaneously scheduled a campus tour with his mother.
On that tour, Josh and his mom saw that HPU was special. What they would eventually go on to see were all the special moments that would shape Josh into who he is today.
“Walking on the promenade, we both knew it was the place for me,” says Josh.
He became active in HPU’s Student Government Association, helping to update the system students use to submit funding requests for their campus clubs and organizations. Josh went on to serve as chief of staff.
As a Student Justice with Rachel, Josh admits he was initially oblivious of her interest in him, although she gave him her phone number and connected with him on Facebook.
“He wasn’t really getting any hints,” she says. “I finally asked him if he wanted to go to the Starbucks in the Slane Student Center for coffee. I had to clarify that I was hoping it would be a date.
“He finally caught on.”
“I think by the time I bought the coffee, it clicked for me that this was probably not just about coffee,” Josh says. The two later discovered they shared similar interests and bonded while watching “Star Wars.”
“We fit together quite easily and quickly,” says Josh. “I do things intentionally and deliberately — Rachel might say ‘slowly’ because she had to work to make me understand her interest in me. That showed me she was intentional.”
Rachel also became involved in the Student Government Association and served on the inaugural Student Supreme Court. The two were dating by the time Josh was elected student body president for the Class of 2016, and Rachel took on the role of chief of staff to help him. Rachel was later elected student body president for the Class of 2017.
“I was the first female president in nine or 10 years at that time,” says Rachel.
Rachel earned her B.A. in strategic communication in 2017 and her M.A. in political and health communication in 2018. The caring mentors she met at HPU always offered support throughout her undergraduate and graduate journey.
“I was in an environment that allowed me to interact with not only fellow students but all people on and off campus to learn how to be an effective communicator and global citizen,” says Rachel. “HPU really helped me dive into the skills I had.”
She’s now chief of staff for sales and marketing for Shopmonkey, an automotive software company based in San Jose, California.
Josh agrees HPU faculty and staff supported his ability to be a leader. He still values the influence his professors had on him as a student and the weekly lunches he’d have with his philosophy professors.
Not only do students involved in HPU’s Student Government Association develop connections and relationships that last a lifetime, but they develop the values and skills needed to live lives of success and significance!
The Princeton Review nationally recognizes HPU’s active involvement in student government.
While his computer science degree was key to his successful career as a program manager at the online pet supply giant Chewy, Josh says his studies of logic and critical thinking are foundational to every aspect of his life.
“The extracurricular involvement and leadership opportunities in various clubs and activities at HPU taught me a lot,” says Josh. “The life lessons and skills you gain at HPU are just as important as the academics. They teach you how to live and interact in the world.”
Rachel Callaway is now Rachel Gilstrap. The couple married in November 2020 in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, with limited attendance due to the pandemic. They repeated their vows a year later with the support of more friends and family from across the country. Rev. Dr. Preston Davis, minister to the university, was the officiant in November 2021.
“High Point University brought us together,” says Rachel. “We have our own marriage and family, but HPU created a wider community for us.
“Every time we go back, we feel so supported and cared for. It is a wonderful place to call our alma mater.” ■
“The life lessons and skills you gain at HPU are just as important as the academics.”
Josh Gilstrap, ’16 Program Manager at Chewy
Alex Hallahan, ’22, got a surprise at High Point University’s Earl N. Phillips School of Business. His professors were more than professors. They became close coaches, even friends.
“I sat down with some of them for hours,” says Hallahan. “We didn’t just talk about their classes. They advised me in a hundred ways. They helped me fine-tune my sales and leadership skills. They gave me so much advice. I had job offers before leaving school. It was never a concern whether I was going to leave with a job.”
The bonds with professors are lasting. As a sophomore, he studied economics under Dr. Nasir Assar, associate professor of economics and MBA program director, and was surprised when Assar greeted him three years later at an event.
“He lit up when he saw me,” says Hallahan, who majored in business administration. “He remembered me. We talked about the economy. So, even years later he was still helping me click things into place.”
In class, Assar had explained economic theories and formulas in real-world ways.
“That really helped me excel because he helped me understand how events would affect my life beyond an analytical textbook explanation.”
Hallahan worked his way through school — in an unexpected way.
He essentially ran a business, and he couldn’t have done it without the help of his professors. As a freshman, he wanted something to do in his spare time. So, he joined Operation K.A.R.E. (Knowledge. Awareness. Results. Empowerment.), a new nonprofit started by the HPU Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. It raises money to donate track chairs to wounded veterans. Read more about the initiative started at HPU on page 104.
This nontraditional business experience changed his life. He devoted more than 20 hours a week to the charity. Today Hallahan is the group’s acting chief operating officer.
“I worked on myself, not just in the classroom but outside the classroom,” says the Ridgefield, Connecticut, native. “I developed leadership skills. I did marketing. I did outreach. I managed 14 students on campus.”
Best of all, HPU was incredibly supportive of his endeavor. He met weekly with his entrepreneurship professor Kathy Elliott, director of the Entrepreneurship Center.
He bounced ideas off her. They discussed the best ways to incorporate the charity. But Hallahan did the heavy lifting. It paid off. He won HPU’s Entrepreneurship Award when he was a junior.
“This opportunity let me flourish and grow in skills I wanted to use. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do this anywhere else.”
Having learned what it’s like to run a small business at HPU, Hallahan found success in outside sales for the human resource management services company ADP. As a centric district manager in Charlotte, North Carolina, he sells payroll and human resource services and consults with small business owners to improve their health benefits and retirement services.
Even before K.A.R.E. entered his life as a freshman, HPU taught him a lesson that stuck with him the next four years. On his first day on campus, along with other newcomers, he received a gift — a little eagle posed on the tip of its beak.
“It teaches you balance,” says Hallahan. “You can have a ton of fun at HPU. There’s tons of events and groups, but HPU teaches you how to balance those things with your schoolwork. That’s something I’ve taken into my life and career.”
HPU trusts students to be independent. In an entrepreneurship class, his professor challenged students to come up with ideas for new products and do feasibility studies.
“In classes we worked with our groups and compared findings. We did the work we needed to do,” he says. “I wasn’t just sitting there listening to lectures.”
Hallahan thinks he got more out of college than friends at other schools. “I had a really different experience. In my opinion, I think it was better,” he admits.
“I worked on myself, not just in the classroom but outside the classroom.”
Alex Hallahan, ’22 Centric District Manager at ADP
“I love the thrill of sales, especially all the training, preparation and building rapport that goes into it,” says Emily Dillon, ’21. Her passion is corporate sales.
Today she’s living her dream as an account executive at Gartner, one of the world’s most respected technology research and consulting companies. Dillon, who majored in marketing, acts as a strategic partner with executives around the world to help them improve purchasing and revenue decisions.
She credits her sales classes and professors in HPU’s School of Business for setting her on the right path, but most of all, being in HPU’s Professional Selling Club fired her up for excellence. She thrived in its sales competition team. She relished being in a national competition whose judges were sales executives. Students and professors stay close at HPU. That made all the difference for Dillon.
“My professors knew my family. They knew what I was going through in classes and what I wanted to do with my career. They set me up for success,” says the Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, native.
“Whether I was going to sales career fairs, learning to make an elevator pitch or discovering how to present myself, I sat down with all my professors for multiple conversations to make sure I was making the right choices for myself.”
Internships were easy to land and played key roles for her. She first connected with Gartner her
sophomore year as a global technology sales intern in Fort Myers, Florida.
“The entire HPU experience came into clearer focus for me during my internship. Experiential learning, exposure to conferences, boardrooms that simulate Fortune 500 companies and growing an understanding of business etiquette are all cornerstones of the foundation HPU helped me build. “
Her highest point at HPU came during her study abroad experience at the University of Salamanca in Spain. The month-long international marketing program immersed her in a new environment and culture where she had to overcome a language barrier.
“It was a pivotal point personally and professionally,” Dillon recalls. “It gave me indispensable life skills — executive presence, effective communication, leadership and perseverance. I needed those in sales and marketing.”
The experience also introduced her to Dr. Miguel Sahagun, associate professor of marketing, who was leading the trip and became her mentor for the next three years.
“The programs in HPU’s School of Business are top-notch,” she says. “You develop the skills that will equip you for the real world. HPU taught me not only the important subject matter to be proficient in sales and marketing but also provided me with important life skills that differentiate me and allow me to continue to grow. If I could do it all over, I would.”
Marketing major Christy Hribar, ’23, like Hallahan, quickly realized that HPU would be a beacon to guide her future. She plans a career in the entertainment industry, and things clicked for her in — where else — HPU’s BEACON Lab.
BEACON stands for Biometric Evaluation, Analytics, Cognitive Observation and Neuromarketing. The lab’s biosensors measure subjects’ brain activity when exposed to marketing stimulus, like an ad or a poster.
“The lab showed me I could combine my interests in media and marketing, and I thought, ‘Wait a minute. I could do this as a job. I want to learn how to use these tools,’” she says. “Marketing is such an interesting field because we’re saturated with ads daily. The technical side of this is something I wanted to hone in on.”
Thanks to the internships she found during her time at HPU and support from caring mentors, Hribar’s career has a blockbuster foundation. At the Smithsonian Institution, she helped stage a gala for its 175th anniversary exhibition. At Warner Bros., theatrical division,
she crafted campaigns that targeted college students for movies that include “Elvis,” “Don’t Worry Darling” and “DC League of Super Pets.” Now she works remotely for NBCUniversal doing global publicity for new home entertainment releases.
“I love the connection a movie has with someone,” says Hribar. “I want to be part of that process, to get someone’s favorite movie to them.” Her first class, required of most business majors, was a “boot camp” where HPU made a powerful bond with her.
During this launch into career readiness, students meet two hours each week to discover and build the hallmarks of an impactful business professional. They craft LinkedIn profiles. Psychological tests gauge their strengths. They do informational interviews. They even learn the importance in business of a good handshake.
It’s all about sending multiple success signals to future employers and gluing students into a winning story they can tell in job interviews.
For example, all freshmen business students are required to take a course on Excel, so they can send the credible signal that they know Excel in application for their first internship.
“To succeed, you have to understand how to do things like correctly budget a campaign and use basic Excel tools,” she says. “High Point University has done a great job of teaching me those ground-level skills. Everyone here cares about you and your success.”
At the Phillips School of Business, school isn’t just school — it’s a four-year internship and journey that sets the stage for stellar careers. ■
HPU’s new B.S.B.A. to MBA Program gives business students the opportunity to have some of their 4000-level undergraduate business courses substitute for select MBA courses, so they can smoothly pursue their choice of concentration in business analytics, supply chain management or health care management.
“Being a part of HPU’s B.S.B.A. to MBA Program not only increased my confidence in finding a job but also allows me to gain business acumen and shape me into a well-rounded person. Receiving my MBA has given me the leadership skills to start my career with Truist in their Leadership Development Program and to reach my job aspirations of earning a corporate-level seat in a company.”
-Britney Male, ’22, ’23, Truist Leadership Development Program
!From overcoming physical challenges and promoting personal development to enhancing financial literacy and guiding faith-based initiatives, these HPU graduates share their knowledge and experience. Put their books on your must-read list for yourself or your book club!
A 2012 graduate of HPU with a Bachelor of Arts in communication, Jasmine Paul is a senior finance manager in the U.S. Air Force as well as a social entrepreneur and founder of CreateFinStew, a financial education firm dedicated to “creating healthy money conversations for youth everywhere.”
She is the author of a three-book series designed to provide financial education for children. The first, “A Boy, a Budget, and a Dream,” teaches financial literacy and money management to kids ages 4 to 8. The second, “Granny’s Vintage Camera,” explores multi-generational perspectives on money. The third, “The Wealth Playground Workbook,” offers young readers an opportunity to apply their knowledge.
“HPU reinforced my desire to be extraordinary. It encouraged me to learn and explore as many avenues as possible. The skills and lessons I learned have helped me share financial literacy through children’s books worldwide!”
These successful authors discovered their voices and honed their life skills while students at HPU.
JT Mestdagh is an inspirational speaker, a bestselling author of three inspirational books and a 2018 HPU graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration.
In his most recent publication, “No Bad Days: How to Find Joy in Any Circumstance,” Mestdagh, whose pen name is JT Jester, shares his against-all-odds story of overcoming countless physical and learning challenges to help others find joy in any circumstance and understand that there are no bad days — only hard ones.
“The learning environment at HPU promotes success for all students and pushes you to reach new heights and tackle your biggest dreams. I’m so thankful to HPU for being a part of my story and giving me the tools to accomplish my goals.”
Nia Rainer graduated with a B.S.B.A. in international business and a minor in Spanish in December 2021 and a M.A. in communication and business leadership in 2022. She works as a senior sales development representative at RollWorks. Rainer is also a first-time author who describes her inaugural publication, “Rise: How to Overcome Challenges in Order to Live the Life You Want,” as a self-development book that helps people overcome the challenges they are currently facing.
“During my first week of class at HPU, I stepped into a campus building that had a quote on the wall that read ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ I kept this quote with me as I was surrounded by inspiring professors, staff and students who cared about my success. Being a first-generation college student, I didn’t think I would succeed in college, but HPU empowered me to embrace my story and share it with others.”
Gena Thomas graduated from HPU in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Today, she is a knowledge management and communications advisor for the CORE Group Partners Project as well as a former missionary, mother and faith-based author with three published books.
Thomas’ first book, “A Smoldering Wick: Igniting Missions Work with Sustainable Practices,” addresses the challenge of approaching short-term mission work effectively. Her most recent, “Separated by the Border,” tells the story of reuniting her Honduran foster daughter with her family after being separated at the U.S. border.
“It was at HPU that I learned my writing affected people, that it could be used for social awareness and when done well, for social change. Having the opportunity to see my byline at some big-name publications has been a true joy, but the highest hope I always have for my writing is that it will produce a stirring within the reader to be, as one of my favorite authors Paulo Freire says, ‘more authentically human.’”
HPU’s educational model is experiential, immersive and championed by faculty mentors.
As soon as students arrive, their learning experience is hands-on and everchanging. Their education is really a four-year career where they’re treated as professionals, leaders, scholars and executives. Equipped with state-of-the-art resources, technology and facilities, such as the 15,000-square-foot Caine Conservatory illustrated on the right, the environment at HPU replicates the real world and compresses time for students.
And with 25% of class time dedicated to experiential learning, HPU students discover for themselves that experience brings real-world context to classroom content. Along with the university’s opportunities for internships, study abroad and research, students graduate prepared and ready to conquer their career goals.
By accelerating access to experiential learning opportunities, HPU students go on to do more, achieve more and be more.
“It’s not always about what happens, it’s about how you respond to what happens. Respond gracefully and keep moving.”
Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence
Before coming to High Point University, I always knew I wanted to study abroad.
As a history student, traveling and seeing the history we talked about in person made all the difference to my education. Taking a history course on the Humanities in London Maymester program made what I was learning that much more real.
I had only left the East Coast of the U.S. once in my life prior to this experience. The idea of living in another country for a whole month felt surreal to me.
It didn’t hit me that I was studying abroad in London until the night before my flight when I was saying goodbye to my family and friends. To say I was anxious would be an understatement.
I was afraid of the culture shock, and I was nervous I was not prepared to travel internationally. Did I have all the proper documentation? Did I forget anything essential while packing? How different was living in another country going to be?
I was scared to say the least. But by the time we got to the airport, my anxiety took a backseat and my excitement sparked. I realized that I was finally fulfilling a lifelong dream – I was studying history in a country that I spent so long talking about!
I had quite a few “aha” moments that connected the dots between my education and my experience abroad. However, the first was one I will never forget.
Before our class’ first excursion in London, Dr. Amanda Allen, one of the professors leading the trip, had mentioned we would experience a lot of emotions when visiting these sites. Initially, I brushed aside her comment.
During our first group trip to Westminster Abbey, I remember jumping up and down with joy when Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament became visible.
I was finally seeing it all.
The things I had only read about. The things I had only ever seen pictures of. The things I spent hours in lectures fascinated by. They were finally right in front of me, in person. It was a magical moment.
And after a five-minute walk to Westminster Abbey, I started to cry. To be standing in front of Westminster Abbey was one of the most insane experiences I’ve ever had. The architecture, the 750 years of history right before my eyes, the thought of standing in the same spot as so many prominent historical figures — it was all so beautiful.
Being at these historical sites made me appreciate what I studied even more.
Our trip also lined up perfectly with the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. Being a part of the oncein-a-lifetime celebration was such a special experience. All of London was celebrating and the environment was electric. People from all over the world gathered to see
the extravagant pomp and circumstance. Not to mention, I had the chance to see the Royal Family in person.
There is something so humbling and astounding about seeing where the history you’ve studied for years took place. Walking through Westminster, touring the Tower of London, visiting the castles and palaces of the Royal Family, and seeing ancient ruins made my studies tangible.
Making the world my classroom has better prepared me for the world after graduation. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in activities that fostered my passions, studies and dreams, but also expanded my knowledge of the world, pushed me to try new things and got me outside of my comfort zone.
Upon returning from the trip, I can say that I am more willing to try new things and explore further. The world is filled with interesting people with beautiful stories and cultures. It is humbling and exciting to learn about these cultures as it gives a new perspective on life.
Studying abroad made me realize that although the world may be big, it is not something to fear. Instead, the idea of a big world should be exciting and intriguing. ■
Every moment at HPU is intentionally designed to foster connection, creation and collaboration. Throughout this magazine, you’ll see just a few examples of opportunities that motivate students and play an active role in their success.
After Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner, pictured left, finishes his Life Skills Seminar on Transformation, he takes time to mentor Lauren Strickler, a Class of 2023 business administration major, pictured right. Weiner is one of the dozens of global leaders who work with HPU students as HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence. This beautifully captured moment symbolizes the unique and life-changing connections students can only find at HPU.
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.
Only at HPU are students taught and mentored by the Co-Founders of Apple Computer and Netflix, the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, an Emmy Award-winning journalist with ABC News and other global leaders.
Discover more ways HPU students benefit from pro-level mentorship through HPU’s Access to Innovators Program, found only at The Premier Life Skills University in the following story.
A typical visit from one of HPU’s in-residence faculty looks a little something like this: They arrive to campus and are greeted by smiling faces of students and staff. They give guest lectures in specialized classes, have lunch with a group of students and participate in open Q&A or seminar discussions.
What many don’t expect is that even with a full schedule, these accomplished innovators find time to connect with students one-on-one. They talk about career goals, offer insightful advice and even share their contact information to stay in touch with students.
When Grant Hines, ’23, walked into HPU’s state-of-theart TV studio, he saw opportunity.
Standing in front of the news desk was Byron Pitts, co-anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline” and HPU’s Journalist in Residence. Pitts visits campus multiple times a year to mentor students and offer sage advice with his years of industry experience. Hines shook hands with Pitts and had a meaningful conversation.
“Meeting Byron Pitts was the reassurance I needed to know that I will succeed in the news industry,” says Hines, who majored in journalism. “Having him share his life experiences helped us connect on a personal level. Due to his transparent personality, I realized that we are more similar than I thought, which excites me because it shows me that I am doing everything I need to get to where I want to be.”
They stood in the TV studio and talked about Hines’ career goals. That interaction with Pitts lead to Hines making a connection with ABC, with both Pitts’ and another colleague’s information that Pitts passed on to Hines.
“He even gave me his personal cell number,” says Hines. “I was shocked that he was willing to do that after meeting me for the first time. This shows how mentors like him and others in the Access to Innovators Program are willing to invest in and dedicate time to students’ success.”
By meeting with Pitts, Hines was putting into practice the things he’d learned in the classroom. During the semester he met Pitts, he was taking a Mastering the Interview course required for his major. He used the skills he’d learned from that class when speaking to Pitts.
“Sitting with him one-on-one made me feel like I was interviewing him, and I had the confidence to do so,” he says. “I wasn’t afraid to ask him tough questions, and he responded with genuine answers. Experiences like this supplement my course work in ways like no other!”
Hines left the interaction with Pitts feeling self-assured and ready to take on the industry. Pitts gave him the
HPU’s Access to Innovators Program offers students invaluable interactions with global leaders.Grant Hines, ‘23, (right) works with ABC News’ “Nightline” Co-Anchor Byron Pitts, (left) who serves as HPU’s Journalist in Residence.
confidence that he could achieve his dreams, and HPU was there to support him the whole way.
“Having a mentor that is willing to invest that much time in you, especially one that looks like me, is something I don’t think I can get anywhere else,” says Hines. “Mr. Pitts is a very intentional person and set his goals at a young age. Having him mentor students like me helps us in identifying our passions and setting our goals early, which can yield success sooner.”
Chris Apecechea, ’21, had his own unique experience with one of HPU’s in-residence innovators.
In 2019, Apecechea was part of a group of students that traveled to Dallas, Texas, to participate in an
externship with the Dallas Mavericks and their CEO Cynt Marshall.
Marshall is the Dallas Mavericks’ CEO and HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence. Apecechea spent the day shadowing her during the Mavericks’ home season opener against the Washington Wizards. Students learned what it takes to operate and lead an NBA team by observing managers across departments, from ticket sales and finance to marketing, human resources and player relations.
“The time I spent with Cynt helped me develop professionally in so many ways,” says Apecechea. “Professional sports can be such a daunting industry to enter. The Dallas Mavericks is one of the most historic franchises in all of the NBA, and the work she has done in her
time with the Mavericks has been remarkable.”
He admits he was nervous. Walking into the Mavericks headquarters was daunting. But Apecechea was familiar with performing through his nerves. As a player on the HPU Baseball team, he wasn’t going to let his nerves stop him from doing his best.
And that wasn’t the end of Apecechea’s relationship with Marshall. When Marshall returned to campus in 2021 to give the Commencement address, she remembered Apecechea.
“After a quick ‘hello’ when I walked across the stage and received my MBA, I quickly made my way to Willard Stadium, as we had a baseball game afterward,” explains Apecechea. “During batting practice, our coach called me to the
foul line and said that Cynt and the Mavericks had left me a graduation gift in the press box.”
Imagine Apecechea’s surprise when he opened the package and found a bright purple crystal ball and a note. The note read as followed:
“Congratulations! I am so proud of you. I will always cherish the memories of you, Grace, Parker and Sylvanna coming to Dallas for our 2019-2020 season home opener. It was amazing. You are always welcome at the Dallas Mavericks.”
During Marshall’s Commencement address, she had used a crystal ball to explain to students that they should live life as if the ball is always in their court, to handle the ball with character and not to drop it or it would shatter.
Apecechea was touched. This gesture from Marshall showed him that she was genuinely invested in his success. His interaction with Marshall ended up paying off in another way he didn’t anticipate.
“During the job interview process, I faced a similar experience,” he says. “Instead of walking into the Mavericks headquarters, I was walking into the San Diego Padres Spring Training Facility to meet coaches in the organization. As I walked through the front doors, I remembered my time in Dallas. I knew if I was myself, then I could be confident about my chances of making a good first impression.”
It worked. He impressed the Padres’ coaching staff and is now a pitching performance coach for the MLB team. He credits his time with Marshall for helping him land the position.
“Experiences like my externship prepare students for future career opportunities, interviews and most importantly, provide them chance to learn from someone with a career so many dream of,” says Apecechea.
As meaningful as these visits are for students, the innovators who visit are often just as impacted. During a visit last fall, Dee Ann Turner, former VP for talent at Chick-fil-A and HPU’s Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence, made this post to LinkedIn about her experience:
The extraordinary students at High Point University ask incredible questions. During this semester’s visit to campus this week, one of the students asked me how do I re-energize during a period of low motivation. I provided her some answers on the spot, but I have had a chance to reflect further.
Spending time on campus at High Point re-energizes me. Yes, the campus is absolutely beautiful (and spotless). But, the students and faculty are cut from a different cloth. They inspire me every time I visit.
When I speak to a group at HPU, every student is attentive, taking notes (on paper, no devices), smiling, nodding and actively engaged. They ask brilliant questions and don’t have to be prodded to participate. While sometimes, I am speaking in the classroom, many of my assignments are optional for them to attend and they fill the seats eager to learn.
I am deeply inspired every time I visit and I am confident that High Point is producing effective leaders for the future.
It’s application season and if you are looking for a University that will equip you with not only a stellar education but also provide life skills to help you succeed at anything, then you may want to consider High Point.
Thank you for the honor of being your Talent Expert in Residence, HPU! It is a role I cherish!
#Education #career #future #goals #growth
These global leaders visit frequently, and each visit looks different than the last. Below is a glimpse at the types of interactions innovators have with students when they’re on campus.
This is a special conversation and collaboration between the visiting innovator and a student. They chat, discuss the student’s career goals, exchange information and more. Through this type of interaction, the student can ask more personal questions and build a lasting connection with the innovator.
A discussion open to the entire student body, the How to Land That Job Q&A is between the innovator and a staff member in the Office of Career and Professional Development that poses insightful questions geared toward career topics. The end of the Q&A is opened to the audience so students are able to pose their own questions. Students also have the opportunity to network with the innovator after their session and spend a few minutes chatting further.
A broader forum open to the entire student body, this seminar serves as an opportunity for the innovator to make a presentation to students regarding topics that are prevalent to those soon entering the workforce. Topics include networking, nailing interviews, dealing with setbacks and more.
While innovators offer helpful insights to students across campus, these classroom-based talks are an integral part of visits to campus. Arranged by an HPU faculty member, the innovator will spend time with a class of students in the specific discipline that innovator has experience in. This offers students a niche discussion for their career interest.
Everyone has to eat, and these innovators work up an appetite while on campus! HPU takes this opportunity for lunch to offer students a unique interaction over a meal. After all, HPU students are prepared by HPU’s fine-dining learning labs, 1924 PRIME and Alo, to follow etiquette over a professional meal. Students are invited to eat lunch with a visiting innovator and impress them with their professionalism and know-how.
Steve Wozniak
Apple Computer Co-Founder
HPU’s Innovator in Residence
Marc Randolph
Netflix Co-Founder
HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence
Cynt Marshall
Dallas Mavericks CEO
HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence
Byron Pitts
American Journalist and ABC News’ “Nightline” Co-Anchor
HPU’s Journalist in Residence
Dr. John C. Maxwell
Bestselling Author and Internationally Renowned Leadership Expert
HPU’s Executive Coach in Residence
Dean Cain
Famed Actor, Producer and Television Presenter
HPU’s Actor in Residence
Joe Michaels
22-year Former Director of the NBC “TODAY” Show
HPU’s Broadcaster in Residence
Scott McKain
Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author, Sales and Customer Service Expert
HPU’s Corporate Educator in Residence
Dee Ann Turner
Former VP for Talent at Chick-fil-A
HPU’s Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence
Bob Ryan
Famed Sports Columnist for The Boston Globe
HPU’s Sports Reporter in Residence
Charlie Freeman
President of Business
Operations with Orlando Magic
HPU’s Sports Business Executive in Residence
Marilyn Sherman
Hall of Fame Speaker
HPU’s Personal Development Expert in Residence
Russell Weiner
CEO of Domino’s Pizza
HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence
Dr. Ellen Zane
CEO Emeritus of Tufts Medical Center
HPU’s Heath Care Executive in Residence
Scan the QR code to see the ever-growing roster of change agents who mentor students through HPU’s Access to Innovators Program and learn more.
Life doesn’t come with a guidebook to success, but HPU’s Nido R. Qubein School of Communication steers students toward the steps that have led many graduates to achieve their goals. Built with the input and insight of career-conquering students, this ultimate guide will set anyone considering HPU’s School of Communication on the right path.
“HPU really does have so many opportunities — you just have to be the student to take advantage of them,” says Ries Allyn, ’23, who majored in broadcast journalism.
The opportunities are endless to get involved in and out of the classroom. You could be the host of a podcast, broadcast a news show, act as an announcer at sporting events, design a video game, influence through social media and so much more.
Allyn can attest that taking this step set her on the right path. Starting her freshman year, she became heavily involved in student news shows and developed skills across the broadcast journalism field through hands-on learning in the areas she was passionate about and the ones where she just wanted to learn the basics.
“I appreciate the School of Communication’s emphasis on learning all aspects,” says Allyn, from Stamford, Connecticut. “Even if you want to be on-air, you still need to learn behind-the-scenes, crew positions, producing, etc.”
Plus, it helps you learn what you enjoy and where you excel.
Getting involved right away equipped Allyn with experiences that helped her land a seven-month internship with ABC News in New York City as a news gathering operations intern her senior year. Throughout her internship, she rotated between different departments that support all shows across ABC, including “Good Morning America.”
Picture this: You’re one of just 20 students in a multimedia production class taught by Joe Michaels, the 22-year veteran director of the “TODAY” show. That’s the kind of access that gives students a deeper insight and hands-on experience with production equipment.
“To know that someone who produced a national morning show for over 20 years taught me how he did that so successfully — you’re not going to find that at other schools,” says Allyn. “That’s an insane amount of access to someone with real-world experience in a field that I want to be working in.”
There’s access off campus too.
Kayla Ross, ’25, and Ava Kitchens, ’25, were part of a group of event management majors who went to Los Angeles, California, for a behind-the-scenes experience in the live-television industry. Their travels included attending the American Music Awards (AMAs) and the filming of “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” at Walt Disney Studios.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I am so thankful to have been a part of,” says Kitchens, from Greenville, South Carolina.
“It was great to see how the production of live TV shows works behind the scenes and to see the stars and crew in action,” says Ross, from Springfield, Ohio.
Students are taught to network from day one — from getting business cards and building a LinkedIn profile to connecting with upperclassmen, alumni and industry professionals. Allyn took every opportunity to network by attending Life Skills Seminars and Q&A sessions when an in-residence faculty member from HPU’s Access to Innovators Program visited campus. She’s even worked one-on-one with the Co-Anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline” Byron Pitts, HPU’s Journalist in Residence. So, when she saw him around the ABC studio during her internship, she already had a connection.
Developing self-confidence takes time and intention. But students who have found success will tell you — confidence is key. Luckily, faculty and staff prioritize building students’ confidence and encourage them to take advantage of every opportunity to grow. Professors want students to succeed in and out of class. If a student wants to start a campus news show or host a sports podcast, they have the support. They also encourage students to show off the work that they’re proud of.
“Professors emphasize showing your work. When I was applying to internships, I wasn’t just providing my resume but also a link to my personal website where I showed my work, experience and newsreel,”
Wendell Epps, ’23, majored in sports media and knew he wanted to be a play-by-play sports broadcaster. He’s achieving his dream by joining the NBA Orlando Magic team as a radio graduate associate after completing his education at HPU.
HPU helped him get there. Through networking opportunities in the National Sports Media Association, he led events and had the chance to interview some of the biggest names in sports including Jim Nantz, CBS sports commentator, and Tom Verducci, a sportswriter for Sports Illustrated and Major League Baseball commentator.
When famed Boston Globe Sports Columnist and HPU’s Sports Reporter in Residence Bob Ryan visited campus last fall, Epps had the ultimate chance to make a connection. He hosted a
recorded panel discussion with Ryan in front of a live studio audience. Afterward, he and Ryan had dinner and attended an HPU Men’s Basketball game.
“We had a great one-on-one conversation about the sports media industry,” says Epps. “To be able to watch a basketball game with one of the biggest basketball gurus was a blessing and a night I will never forget.”
Epps, from Fairfax, Virginia, wasn’t the only student who added the seasoned sports reporter to his professional network. Ryan connected with more than 75 sports media majors during his two-day campus visit.
“The opportunity to learn from someone like Bob Ryan, with his legacy and connections to so many people, is unmatched,” said Epps.
says Allyn. “I think that really stood out to employers.”
Epps cultivated his confidence through experiential opportunities and roles including being the director of broadcasting and a play-by-play announcer for Sports Link, a student organization that partners directly with HPU Athletics, where he worked with an entirely student-run production crew to broadcast games live on ESPN+ — training and mentoring students new to broadcasting.
“I called over 100 games as a student and was named High Point
University’s 2022 Sports Broadcaster of the Year,” says Epps.
The spring before graduating, Epps gained even more hands-on industry experience as an intern at FOX Sports in Charlotte, North Carolina, before launching his career with the Orlando Magic.
Thanks to the support and abundance of experiential learning opportunities found in HPU’s School of Communication, Epps is one of many HPU students who launch their careers after graduation with confidence.
Seth Hatherly, ’20, ’22, is a retail operations supervisor for the Green Bay Packers.
He’s enthusiastic about his role and thanks HPU for helping him cultivate the confidence to keep growing in the professional sports industry.
As an undergraduate, Hatherly majored in media production and entrepreneurship. He was presented with endless hands-on learning opportunities.
Hatherly built new, transferable skills daily. He saw the bounty of opportunity at HPU and wanted to be the one holding the keys to his future.
“I found a major I loved, took opportunities to network and grow, and worked my tail off on every project and portfolio I put my name to.”
He was motivated to push himself further. So, he applied for HPU’s Tuition-Free Master of Arts in Communication and Business Leadership (CBL) Program.
“I never envisioned myself as fit for graduate school, but the opportunity to show myself and others that I am a hardworking, driven individual who enjoys a path of bettering myself was an opportunity that I knew I wanted to take.”
HPU’s tuition-free master’s degree is offered to students who complete their undergraduate education at HPU and is designed to focus on critical life skills that benefit every student, regardless of their major or career path.
Hatherly crossed the Commencement stage for a second time in 2022, receiving his Master of Arts in communication and business leadership. This extra leap of learning made his younger self proud, he says.
“The CBL program expanded my perspective through collaborative work and critical thought in a real-world framework,” he says.
Hatherly is proud of the hard work he put in at HPU and has a special place in his heart for his encouraging mentors.
“The most valuable resource HPU offers is their faculty,” he says. “My professors not only had valuable life experiences that they taught from but were also invested in me and my goals.
“I am blessed by the ways that my professors invested in me at HPU.
“I am still on the journey of achieving more,” says Hatherly, “but my undergraduate and graduate experiences were a big step in proving to myself that I hold the keys and can go as far as I think I can go.”
Learn more about this can’t-miss opportunity for HPU students!
Discover what makes students’ everyday experiences on campus extraordinary.
I’m a sophomore studying sales from Niantic, Connecticut. Every day at HPU is unique and filled with exciting opportunities, but here is a look at my typical day and what students can expect to encounter on campus.
HPU has long understood that the college experience should be more than just time spent in a classroom.
Think about this: There are 168 hours in a week. Students spend approximately 20 of those in class. They spend the rest of their time engaged in organizations on campus, conducting undergraduate research, growing through experiential learning opportunities and making memories with friends that will last a lifetime.
The college experience of each student at HPU is unique but always connects them to their individual interests, studies, passions and ways to have fun. For a glimpse of what makes the most routine day at HPU extraordinary, we’re inviting you to follow HPU sophomore Anna Bonelli through a typical day in her life on HPU’s campus!
9 AM 10 AM 12 PM
On a typical morning, I stop by the Slane Student Center Café for breakfast with my roommate to prepare me for the day ahead. The Café is always bustling with students, so I usually see a friendly face or two while I am here. The Café has everything from a build-your-own omelet bar to a waffle machine and everything in between. I usually grab a coffee from the Starbucks in Slane on my way to class, too!
After fueling up, I head to my first class of the day, Sociology, in the Phillips School of Business. Even though I’m a business student, I appreciate HPU’s liberal arts general education curriculum because it allows me to take classes from many different academic areas outside of my major. On my way to class, I pass the Roberts Hall Reflecting Pool, one of the many outdoor gathering places on campus. When the weather is nice, I enjoy sitting outside at the tables around the fountain to do some homework or chat with friends.
If I’m hungry after class, I make my way back to the Slane Student Center Café for some lunch. I meet up with my roommate and we both grab the chicken tenders — one of our favorite meals on campus. I like how I can order ahead using HPU’s Mobile Ordering app so that my food is ready by the time I walk through the doors of The Café. My favorite part about lunch at The Café is the live music. Every day, live musicians play during lunchtime, making for an exciting meal experience. Also, it isn’t unusual to see our university president, Dr. Nido Qubein, having lunch in The Café and chatting with students!
1 PM 3 PM 5 PM
After lunch, I walk to my second class of the day, Marketing and Organizational Behavior, in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication. When I leave the Slane Student Center, I pass one of the five outdoor swimming pools on campus. Although the weather is too cool for a swim today, I am looking forward to many more pool days in the future! I sometimes stick around in the School of Communication after class. Today, I recorded a podcast inside the School of Communication’s fully-equipped podcast studio that all students have access to. I love that HPU encourages students to use all the resources available to them here. The podcast studio is one of the many amazing professional facilities that HPU has to offer.
After recording the podcast, I’m in the mood for a snack and head toward The Butterfly Café, a student-favorite dining spot on campus. After ordering, I find a table outside in the breezeway (pictured below) between the café and the Caine Conservatory. The calming atmosphere is perfect to relax for a break in my busy day.
Now that I am finished with classes for the day, I head back to my dorm. HPU’s dorms are ranked best in the nation — so you can’t go wrong with any of the university’s housing options. And it’s why 95% of all students live on campus all four years! I live in the women’s complex of freshmen dorms on campus. It’s a traditional dorm setting (but more spacious), and I love the sense of community in the complex. It’s great living in a hall with so many of my friends. I know that I can always knock on my neighbor’s door for an impromptu hang-out or snack-run to the Yadkin Market, located right below the dorm.
7 PM 8 PM
Later in the day, I meet up with my friend Oliver to grab dinner at The Point, located inside the R.G. Wanek Center. The Point is filled with large TVs, making it the perfect spot to watch a sports game with friends. It’s one of my favorite spots to eat on campus. My go-to meal is a burger with sweet potato fries.
To close out my day, I relax outside at the fire pit in Patriots Plaza. This area is surrounded by a fountain and red, white and blue chairs. I enjoy spending time near the warm fire pit to chat with friends. It’s a great way to end a busy day.
Thanks for joining me on my “Day in the Life” journey as an HPU student! No two days are the same on HPU’s campus — I’m involved in multiple business clubs on campus and play on the softball team, so some days are busier than others!
I love that the university offers students so much to do and explore. HPU allows students to thrive academically and socially, leading to a balanced college lifestyle. That’s why students live and love it here!
There’s a lot happening on the HPU campus – too much to list here. Make sure you’re keeping up by following along on social media. Search @highpointu on:
Peyton Conner, ’23, is Cinderella. At least, she was last fall.
She played her in HPU’s sold-out shows of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” and is pictured above, centered. Along the way, she learned how to relate to who Cinderella was — a young woman with big dreams.
Conner has big dreams, too. HPU helped her reach them.
She participated in eight productions at HPU and was given opportunities to act, choreograph, cast and direct. Along the way, she learned to believe in her talent and herself.
“Whenever I was losing hope, my professors told me, ‘You can do this,’” says Conner, from Roanoke, Virginia. “They helped me get there.”
Conner graduated with a degree in theater and a minor in marketing and now works as a marketing manager for The Wall Printer, a company that sells wall and floor printing machines as well as exclusive territories for people looking to start their own business. She also plans to continue auditioning for professional musical theater performances and hopes to choreograph and direct local shows.
She says theater has always been her passion. But HPU gave her what she really needed — courage.
“I’m ready to put myself out there,” she says. “I know what I can do.”
Here’s a glimpse of the many ways HPU’s David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design inspires students and fuels their creativity.
It’s quite the life lesson for HPU’s interior design majors.
They worked together as teams to redesign two rooms at the J.H. Adams Inn of High Point. They talked to the inn’s representatives about their needs and researched everything from demographics and building codes to fabrics and furniture.
After presenting their ideas to the J.H. Adams Inn, students took two design proposals to a design competition. This annual competition began this past year and coincided with the 50th anniversary of Culp, Inc., a global fabric manufacturer. The students used Culp upholstery fabrics in redesigning two rooms in the inn.
Dr. Jane Nichols saw her students rise to the challenge.
“They gain confidence in front of clients, and they learn how to compromise, actively listen and be nimble, and that can be hard when you’re 20,” says Nichols, chair and associate professor of HPU’s Home Furnishings and Interior Design Program.
“We get that great real-world experience of designing for, talking with and presenting to our client,” says Azriel Crank, ’24, who is majoring in interior design. “That’s something you don’t really get in the classroom. It shows us what the world will be like once we get out there.”
Watching her students dance onstage, seeing them create their own choreography, helping them raise money for a charity or hearing them answer one of her “Question of the Day” exercises about life — those are the moments Lindsey
Howie remembers.“When they leave here, I want them to be a better, kinder human being,” says Howie, assistant professor of dance and director of the HPU Dance Program.
Every spring, dance students choreograph their own dance works and any student can audition. Meanwhile, Howie and her colleagues collaborate with other departments to help students, and themselves, tell stories through movement.
For Fall Dance 2022, Howie choreographed an 11-minute piece called “When You Face the Beast” for students. The dance was about her fight against breast cancer. It typifies how Howie approaches her art and educates her students.
“I want them to feel valued,” she says. “I want them to know what they do matters.”
Lucy Hartman, ’23, saw her come into the furniture showroom with an entourage of seven assistants behind her.
It was Kathy Kuo, the celebrity interior designer. She had come to the High Point Market to work and network. Hartman, pictured left, had come to the High Point Market to work and network, too. But she also came to dream. She did when she saw Kuo.
“That,” Hartman told herself, “is what I want to do.”
Hartman is an interior design major from Charlotte, North Carolina. She has worked three markets in three showrooms for five straight days. Those long hours have reaped rewards.
She shed her shyness, scored two internships and realized her professional path. All thanks to HPU and the High Point Market.
Hartman now works as an interior design assistant at True Design LLC.
“It really opens your eyes,” says Hartman of the market. “It’s such a competitive world, but working market shows you have plenty of options. You get inspired.”
For the past three years, he has taught Activating the Creative Process to freshmen in HPU’s Creative Arts Fellows Program. They learn about the science of creativity and how they can use it in their own distinctive way.
That’s where the hats come in.
The blue hat is the organizer, the black hat is the realist and so on. Students wear a hat as they tackle a particular big-picture scenario from different points of view. Then, the students switch hats.
The class helps freshmen become better collaborators and critical thinkers during an incredibly transformative time of their life — their first year of college.
Raynor, chair of HPU’s Art and Graphic Design Department, sees another benefit. The class reminds his students why they came.
They came to follow their own creative journey and understand why their imagination fuels their life.
Last summer, as he sang in a European church, James Sandoval, ’24, had no idea what was being said.
But he really didn’t need to.
After the concert, audience members converged on him and other members of HPU’s Chamber Singers. They stood no more than a foot or two away from them, speaking fast, leaning forward and holding their palms up showing their gratitude.
Sandoval simply nodded and smiled. Ten minutes later, he asked the choir’s interpreter what he heard.
“They were saying ‘Thank you’ over and over in Ukrainian,” the interpreter told Sandoval and the other students.
Sandoval and nearly 30 other members of the HPU Chamber Singers sang “A Ukrainian Prayer,” a new composition HPU’s Dr. Marc Foster discovered. John Rutter, an English composer, responded to Russia’s war on Ukraine by writing “A Ukrainian Prayer,” offering it to choirs for free, and like thousands of choirs worldwide, HPU’s Chamber Singers sang his response.
The composition showed Sandoval, from Severn, Maryland, what Foster always tells his choir.
“Music matters, and it has the power to transform and change lives,” Foster says. “And this piece provides an excellent opportunity. It’s hard to place a value on that.”
Sandoval agrees.
“That hits the nail on the head,” says Sandoval, a double major in music and international relations. “Music has the capacity to change lives. It has changed mine.”
Foster has helped organize European tours for the Chamber Singers every other summer. These tours, Foster says, help his members learn the importance of professionalism, teamwork and empathy.
Sandoval saw the empathetic power of music inside Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a church built in the 12th century, a reverential place of beauty and history.
“I can’t speak Ukrainian, but the interaction I saw and what we did,” Sandoval says, “I will never forget.”
HPU’S
ILLUSTRATIONS: Inside the Slane Student Center is a wall of illustrations that depict what many think of as the “hidden gems” on campus. They reflect HPU’s intentional campus design — every space is an opportunity to connect, create and collaborate. Throughout these pages, you’ll see the real spaces along with the artistic illustration found in Slane.
High Point University’s campus is full of spaces referred to as “hidden gems.” While they’re not so hidden to students, when their friends, parents or families on campus tours catch a glimpse of one of these unique spots on campus, they express their awe.
They vary in the purpose they serve — some are relaxing hangout or study spots. Others are resources to strengthen one’s personal and professional development, and others are hubs for activity and excitement. These gems are endless at HPU. Here are just a few!
Fire pits are located throughout HPU’s campus, with the largest being Fire Island, located right behind the Slane Student Center. An actual island, the space is surrounded by water, accessed by a bridge, and is the perfect space to hang out with friends any time of day. While the area around the island is always flowing with students heading to and from the nearby basketball court, gym, Chickfil-A or The Café, it’s a great place for students to take a break between classes.
ICONIC
The Qubein Arena and Conference Center is HPU’s largest hub of activity and enjoyment. As the home of HPU’s basketball teams, fans fill the purple stands with roaring energy and endless enthusiasm. Beyond basketball, the arena hosts major concerts, including Grammy Award-winning band Train and Chris Lane, along with numerous campus and community events.
These colorful swings are tucked in HPU’s Greek Village, home of Fraternity and Sorority Life housing, and across from Cottrell Hall, students’ one-stop shop for success resources. Students enjoy the swings when they need a change of scenery in their study session, a relaxing break between classes or to just hang out with friends in the fresh air.
Cottrell Hall is always bustling with students striving for success. In the building, you’ll find HPU’s Office of Career and Professional Development, Entrepreneurship Center, Office of Global Education and Mestdagh Learning Commons — the home base for HPU’s Freshman Success Coaches. Students also practice giving presentations in sleek conference rooms with glass walls modeled after Fortune 500 companies. For that extra kick of motivation, there is also a Starbucks inside which adjoins the International Concourse and airplane fuselage, pictured on page 58.
While this student-favorite dining location is certainly well-known on campus, you won’t find a college eatery like this anywhere else. This unique café offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu that is just as delicious as the space is beautiful. Plus, the yummy variety of handcrafted coffee, gelato and bakery items are perfect for a mid-day treat or pick-me-up.
HPU students in the School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences excel and delve into knowledge as they build critical thinking skills.
Ethan Muckerheide, ’25, a psychology major and religion minor from Dayton, Ohio, arrived at HPU with an intrinsic interest in how knowledge in psychology is produced. His interest in research developed as an important aspect of preparation for graduate school, where he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in either clinical psychology or sports psychology.
His efforts won recognition faster than expected when Muckerheide won the 2022 State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium George T. Barthalmus (SNCURCS) grant to conduct research. He was one of four sophomores awarded grants to further their research.
“This grant is an important award because it provides us funding for materials to do our study,” says Muckerheide. “It also shows graduate schools that I have what it takes to produce quality research.”
Dr. Joanne Altman, director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Works, endorsed Muckerheide’s research efforts.
“As a freshman, Ethan earned the title of Research Rookie of the Month and became a Research Apprentice,” says Altman. “As a rising sophomore, he earned a place in our Summer Research Institute Program (SuRI).”
“I have been able to have opportunities as a young undergraduate that I would not have at other schools.”
Ethan Muckerheide, ’25 Psychology MajorEthan Muckerheide, ‘25, pictured left, is with Dr. Laura Nagy, assistant professor of psychology.
Dr. Laura Nagy, assistant professor of psychology, says Muckerheide displayed exceptional critical thinking skills in her Abnormal Psychology class his first semester at HPU.
He started working in Nagy’s lab the next semester and participated in SuRI, where he co-authored a chapter on self-criticism in the “Handbook of Anger, Aggression and Violence” along with Nagy and another student. She became his mentor.
Muckerheide’s award provides direct funding to examine whether rumination, an obsessive focus on negative or distressing thoughts, impacts a person’s willingness to endure pain longer.
“Rumination is associated with self-injurious behaviors, so this project could help us understand better if different types of rumination make a person more willing to self-injure,” says Nagy.
Getting hands-on research experience prepared Muckerheide to handle every aspect of the research process and continue developing his critical thinking skills. It also provided the confidence he needed to know he could thrive in the research field, says Muckerheide.
“I have been able to have opportunities as a young undergraduate that I would not have at other schools,” says Muckerheide. “Having hands-on experience this early in my college career lets me see the entirety of the research process, which can be a very long and time-consuming process.”
With liberal arts being the academic heart of HPU, the School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences offers opportunities for exploration and development in critical reflection, ethical deliberation, aesthetic appreciation and the essential disciplines of human knowledge.
Here are just a few examples how:
Dr. Martin Kifer, chair and associate professor of political science and director of HPU’s Survey Research Center (SRC), works with students of all majors to conduct high-quality public affairs and social science research. Student work and ideas are at the core of the SRC’s approach to surveying North Carolina residents about current issues and communicating its findings to the public.
HPU’s Crime Lab is a 9,000-square-foot experiential learning facility full of rooms with real-world applications that help students seeking a pre-law major or career in one of many fields related to justice.
Students use technology to be immersed in what they study. In a sociology class taught by Dr. Matthew Sayre, chair and associate professor of anthropology, students use the Oculus to explore the ancient city of Pompeii.
Through HPU’s Access to Innovators Program, students have opportunities to hear from and engage with experts in every area — from human capital and personal development to leadership, intellectual property, entrepreneurship and more. As one example, Bill Kennard, pictured right, is HPU’s Global Leader in Residence, former U.S. Ambassador and FCC Chairman.
ABC News’ “Nightline” Co-Anchor Byron Pitts, HPU’s Journalist in Residence
Values are the lens through which decisions are made. And HPU knows that you can’t only teach values, instead, you must model them. HPU inspires students to live in a way that will not only make themselves proud but will also change the world.
HPU is a God, family and country institution. As a university that welcomes one and all, HPU celebrates the values of faith, civility, patriotism, generosity, personal initiative, gratitude and respect, among others. As part of that, HPU is dedicated to values-based, service-learning opportunities both on and off campus. Students, faculty and staff volunteer nearly half a million hours of service each year during events such as HPU’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and more.
HPU’s Patriots Plaza, illustrated on the right, is a visual reminder of the university’s values and is located at the heart of campus where students pass between classes or stop to reflect, relax and enjoy fellowship with one another.
“I love coming to High Point University. For me, it’s like going to church because it lifts my spirits. The students and the faculty are good, intentional people, which is part of the culture. I get far more out of coming to HPU than I give.”
Colleen Stack, ’23, found special meaning on Veterans Day as she viewed the free-flowing American Flag display that incorporates 3,000 pounds of steel from the remains of New York City’s Twin Towers forged into lettering that celebrates High Point University’s God, family and country values.
As HPU welcomed more than 1,500 people to the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center for the 12th Annual Veterans Day Celebration, Stack watched veterans react with visible emotion as they viewed this patriotic display, among many others in the facility that celebrate HPU’s values. Stack, a strategic communication major from Long Island, New York, quietly shared her own emotions.
“Not only was my grandfather a first responder who was one of the 343 firemen who perished on that day, but he was also a U.S. Navy veteran, so it’s clear that the university not only honors them this day but every day,” says Stack.
HPU President Nido Qubein led the Veterans Day event, where he reminded the audience that HPU is a God, family and country institution.
“On a morning like today and every morning of our lives, we ought to express our gratitude for veterans who made it possible for us to live in a free land, for those who suffered with them and those who are not with us anymore,” said Qubein.
The event was filled with patriotic speakers and moments to show appreciation for veterans, who were welcomed with a free breakfast and a red-carpet entrance lined with cheering HPU students. Nearly 100 student volunteers greeted and assisted veterans at the event.
“As a God, family and country university, it’s so important that students get involved and join the honoring of veterans,” said Lizzy Eisenhardt, ’23, HPU’s Student Government Association president for the 2022-2023 academic year. “I think HPU holding this event annually sets an example to students to recognize the people who are serving us daily.”
Afghanistan war veteran Redmond Ramos served as the special guest speaker and delivered a message of resiliency as he spoke to an audience that included veterans from all military branches. Ramos ended his deployment in Afghanistan as a Navy Corpsman attached to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, after he stepped on an IED while providing cover and support for another injured team member. He was forced to amputate his leg in order to be able to run again. This incident changed his entire life, and he now lives by a philosophy of “Success through Struggle.”
His goal is to help and inspire others.
“I had just been given a second chance,” Ramos said as he recalled Marines wrapping a second tourniquet on his leg. “I swore on that day that I would say yes to every single opportunity that came by me, that I would never take this life for granted again and that I would preach positivity to the world.”
Dean Cain, star of “The New Adventures of Superman” and HPU’s Actor in Residence, was also a featured speaker at the event. The program included Clark, a bald eagle that soared above the audience as the HPU
Chamber Singers sang “America the Beautiful.” It was a tough act to follow the bald eagle, Cain said before thanking veterans for their service and sacrifice.
“When you’re an actor and you play a character like Superman, it’s almost embarrassing to be in a room with real heroes,” Cain said. “So thank you for your service.”
Attendees enjoyed a free photo opportunity with both Cain and the eagle after the event.
The event also included the Star of Service and Sacrifice for veterans to sign. The star was to be displayed on HPU’s campus as a reminder for students of the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom.
“I think it’s awesome to be honored,” said Tim Gulledge, a U.S. Marine veteran who served from 1977-1997 during Desert Storm. “It really moved me to see some of these older veterans. I saw a man sign World War II on the star, and it brought chills to me.”
Luquer Lloyd, who served in the Air Force from 19761993, considered it a privilege and an honor to attend the Veterans Day event and to sign the star alongside other veterans, young and old. Lacy Barnes, an Army veteran who began his service in 1956, simply said the experience was indescribable.
HPU received national attention when Dean Cain, American actor, television host and HPU’s Actor in Residence, joined “Fox & Friends” to tell the country about what is possibly the biggest Veterans Day Celebration you’ll find on a college campus. Watch the interview here.
Take a look back on High Point University’s 12th Annual Veterans Day Celebration:
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 everpresent reminder of their commitment to our country and the freedoms Americans enjoy.
A Blanket Symbolizing Comfort: Students gave each veteran in attendance a patriotic blanket that symbolizes the comfort veterans have secured for Americans.
100 American Flags: HPU donated approximately 100 U.S. flags to local nonprofits, schools and government buildings.
100 Volunteers: Students, faculty and staff members volunteered to make the event possible.
Bald Eagle Soars: Clark, the bald eagle, soared over the crowd during the HPU Chamber Singers’ performance of “America the Beautiful.”
A Patriotic T-Shirt: Students gave veterans a T-shirt that reads: High Point University Appreciates Veterans.
$40K for Two Track Chairs: HPU’s Kappa Alpha Order raised $40,000 to provide two track chairs to two wounded veterans through Operation K.A.R.E.
“On a morning like today and every morning of our lives, we ought to express our gratitude for veterans who made it possible for us to live in a free land, for those who suffered with them and those who are not with us anymore.”
Nido Qubein, HPU PresidentFamilies embrace HPU’s values with a patriotic photo in front of the free-flowing American flag display in the Qubein Arena. Pictured here is national sportscaster Sage Steele (left) with her two students, Nicholas Bailey, ‘26, (center left) and Quinn Bailey, ‘25, (right), and her parents, U.S. Army veteran Gary Steele (center) and Mona Steele (center right).
The event concluded with a donation of two track chairs to wounded veterans thanks to Operation K.A.R.E. (Knowledge. Awareness. Results. Empowerment.), an initiative HPU students and Kappa Alpha Order members started in 2016 to support catastrophically wounded veterans.
Hearing directly from a veteran about how a track chair would drastically improve his mobility and allow him to play with his children in the backyard made the fraternity brothers realize the impact of their gift, said Michael Esposito, Class of 2017 graduate and member of the Kappa Alpha Order. The fraternity brothers, who were also of military age, took on this mission and partnered with The Independence Fund to express their gratitude to those who served our country.
“Then, in 2019, I began working with alumni and undergraduate brothers
from our chapter to help The Independence Fund bring the Operation K.A.R.E. initiative to other Kappa Alpha chapters on other college campuses around the country by replicating the same fundraising methods and approach we championed here at High Point University,” said Esposito. “Our initiative has grown to include the participation of over 55 other Kappa Alpha chapters across the country. This initiative has empowered thousands of brothers to lead and deliver results to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.”
Operation K.A.R.E. has now raised and donated more than $1 million nationally to provide track chairs and support The Independence Fund’s programs that help veterans overcome the physical and psychological wounds of war. One of the all-terrain track chairs went home with veteran Stephen Smerek, who is wheelchair-bound
as a result of losing both legs while he served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer from 1965-1968 in Vietnam.
“This track chair opens up all of the outdoors,” said Smerek, noting the Veterans Day event touched his heart.
As tradition at the annual event, HPU also donated approximately 100 American flags to local nonprofits, schools and government buildings — spreading symbols of patriotism and appreciation. ■
Watch highlights from HPU’s 12th Annual Veterans Day Celebration here!
High Point University alumna, Dr. Mary Jo “M.J.” Hall, Class of 1969, and her husband, retired Colonel Emmett E. “Jay” Stobbs, Jr., recently established the M.J. Hall and Jay Stobbs Leadership in Military and Veterans Awareness Endowment in honor of retired Brigadier General Norman C. “Snapper” Gaddis, a U.S. Air Force officer who was commissioned in the Army-Air Corps in World War II and served in the newly formed Air Force during the Korean War and in the Vietnam War.
The fund will recognize the leadership Brig. Gen. Gaddis and others displayed throughout their military service by providing resources to support programming and awards honoring veterans. It will facilitate an essay contest named in honor of Gen. Gaddis. Students will have the opportunity to submit an essay describing leadership and
character qualities found within the United States military and how these qualities are reflected in their lives.
Gen. Gaddis was taken in as a prisoner of war in Hanoi, Vietnam, for 2,124 days after his plane went down during a massive firefight on a mission in 1967.
After his release, he was promoted to Brigadier General and worked as a senior leader in the Pentagon. Over a span of 30 years in the Air Force, Gaddis witnessed first-hand World War II, Vietnam, the Berlin Airlift, the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Gen. Gaddis turned 100 years old in September of 2023. One thing that has remained consistent throughout Gen. Gaddis’ life is his unwavering devotion to service and family.
The Clos family is just one of many who are proud of their family’s decision to choose HPU. Danielle and Randy Clos are the proud parents of three HPU students: Lyndsey Clos, a Class of 2019 graduate who majored in political science and is now a global lead development representative on the GovTech/EdTech team at Amazon Web Services; Riley Clos, a Class of 2025 business administration major; and Ally Clos, a Class of 2027 Presidential Scholar and L.I.F.T. Fellow studying communications.
From Vermont, they first visited HPU when their oldest daughter Lyndsey heard about the school from her high school guidance counselor. Lyndsey had planned to go to a university in a big city, but when she toured HPU, she fell in love. And so did her whole family.
As experienced parents who have seen their students transform during their time at The Premier Life Skills University, Danielle and Randy share what they think future HPU parents need to know.
Q: What makes HPU stand out from other universities?
When we first saw the campus, we were in awe. We felt like we were on a movie set and still do every time we’re on campus. But what really stood out to us from our first campus visit was the hands-on approach by faculty to meet with Lyndsey — they allowed her to sit in on a class and talked to her over lunch. Beyond the beautiful campus, the value of instilling the principle of “To whom much is given, much is required,” along with other core values and the focus on life skills set HPU apart. From the dedication of HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein and his entire team, to the university’s programs, facilities and most importantly, students, was clearly put forth with the utmost professionalism.
Q: How did values play a role in choosing a university?
We have always been a tight-knit family and instilled in our children the lessons of working hard to achieve the highest level of success possible. We found HPU to be closely aligned with our values and guidance for taking initiative, putting forth one’s best effort, and realizing new levels of success with grace and humility — more than any other institution that we researched with our children. HPU is leagues ahead when it comes to affording young adults opportunities to take initiative and participate in real-world situations.
Q: How have you seen your students transform during their time at HPU?
At HPU, Lyndsey was enabled and encouraged to spread her wings and soar to new heights. We wanted her to be focused on her studies, but her HPU experience became much more. She engulfed herself in campus life and student committees, and she welcomed leadership roles and responsibilities beyond what we had seen prior to her HPU experience, such as being president of the Student Government Association. Her impressive experience led all three of her younger siblings to apply to HPU.
Our second Panther, Riley, is thriving within the business administration program. Riley was 12 when his big sister started college, and he began letting us know that he had his sights set on HPU. He is very appreciative of the faculty-to-student ratio that enables him to stay closely connected with his professors. He also enjoys getting involved — from playing intramural sports, to attending sporting events, Greek Life and business curriculum events that teach valuable skills for succeeding in the professional world.
Q: How would you describe HPU’s campus culture?
The campus culture is best described as active, upbeat, positive, engaging, caring, inspirational and constantly evolving. It’s a magical place. It’s a supportive environment bustling with activity. Students can grab a free snack at a kiosk or a weekly food truck, dine at one of HPU’s fine-dining learning labs, catch a ballgame in the Qubein Arena, sit by a fire pit or even go ice skating. There are so many ways to get involved and connect with other students. All the quotes and historical statues around campus give inspiration and encourage students to dream big!
Q: What would you tell parents and high school students who are considering HPU?
We would tell parents that their child will be in good hands and living in an incredible environment, surrounded by people who are dedicated to their success. To the high school students, you will be given opportunities and have access to mentors and some of the most influential innovators of our time, all while living in an incredible, supportive environment.
“You need to intentionally seek out a place for your children that mirrors your beliefs. It’s not just about the football team, etc. Yes, it’s their choice in the end, but guiding them to an institution that will serve them well and serve the country well is of paramount importance. High Point University could not be a better fit for our family with their God, family, country approach to education. We insist our children respect this country and all of its history, respect their flag, respect their fellow Americans and find a way to contribute to society in a meaningful way. Since they started the first grade, we have had a sign on the door as they leave with the famous quote, ‘To whom much is given much is required.’”
Lisa and Jim Connolly, HPU Parents of two students from Mendon, New York“As a parent, you want your kids to have the best education, learn life skills, interact with the best faculty, be exposed to business leaders and feel at home surrounded by people who truly care for them. Sounds like a dream? It is not! There is no other college in the United States that will provide such an experience as HPU will, and you will feel you have made the best decision with and for your kids.”
Dora Alvarado, HPU Parent from Raleigh, North Carolina“High Point University is truly an environment that embraces its motto: ‘God. Family. Country.’ The gentle reminders are plentiful, well-placed and patriotically observed. The students all seem to appreciate where they are and know that it is uniquely special! It truly is a blessing to be a part of this extraordinary community!”
Sandy Falatko, HPU Parent from Silver Spring, Maryland“My son, Kenneth, graduated from HPU in 2015, and I continue to appreciate the way HPU fostered the same values that my family holds dear. Kenny blossomed at HPU, and today, he enjoys a successful career as a media entrepreneur in Los Angeles. If you want a university that celebrates the values your family cherishes and that prepares students to create impact in this world, then you’ll appreciate High Point University.”
Cynt Marshall, HPU Parent, Dallas Mavericks CEO and HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence“We heard Dr. Qubein speak during Open House about HPU’s values of God, family and country, and that’s the order of importance for our family. During that visit, we also watched a staff member get out of his car and pick up trash on the side of the street. The staff here take ownership and pride in this campus. There’s enthusiasm here. Everyone appreciates what they have at HPU.”
Elizabeth and David Lucchesi, HPU Parents from Alexandria, Virginia
Once again, High Point University celebrated its largest graduating class in the university’s history with more than 1,400 degrees conferred this spring. The celebratory Commencement Ceremony is the event students and families look forward to as soon as freshman year. While it is bittersweet for graduates to leave the campus they called home for years, it is a day full of significance, achievement, tradition and gratitude. More than 14,000 family and friends filled the beautifully set Roberts Hall Lawn to congratulate the graduates and learn from this year’s Commencement speaker, the Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter.
McElveen-Hunter is an accomplished female entrepreneur, the first woman to chair the American Red Cross, a former U.S. Ambassador to Finland, a renowned philanthropist, and the president and CEO of Pace Communications, the nation’s largest independently owned custom content agency.
“Everyone has a foundation upon which they build their life,” McElveen-Hunter told graduates during her Commencement speech. She shared that her foundation was built on her mother’s pearls of wisdom, which include:
• Time is precious. Use it wisely.
• Mediocrity is the greatest sin.
• Work is the greatest privilege.
• Failure is a comma, never a period.
• And ‘can’t’ is a word that does not exist.
McElveen-Hunter joins an extraordinary lineup of HPU Commencement speakers, including Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND Snacks; Cynt Marshall, CEO of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and HPU Sports Executive in Residence; Dr. Michio Kaku, famed theoretical physicist and co-founder of String Field Theory; Wolf Blitzer, lead political anchor at CNN; the 66th Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; broadcast legend Tom Brokaw; Gen. Colin Powell, former secretary of state, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and national security advisor; former First Lady Laura Bush; Josh Groban, internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and actor; Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and HPU’s Innovator in Residence; Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan; NASA Astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin; and Muhtar Kent, CEO of the Coca-Cola Company.
Every year, HPU President Nido Qubein delivers a powerful sendoff message at an event titled “Onward with Faithful Courage,” held the Friday before Commencement. Thousands of graduates and their families fill the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center to be inspired by their university leader one last time as students.
“If we told you anything on this campus, if we modeled anything for you on this campus, it is that you are enough,” said Qubein. “Nothing is impossible. Your future is bright. The future of our world and the future of our country depends on you.”
HPU’s Commencement Celebration would not be complete without a bald eagle soaring over the crowd and graduates as “America the Beautiful” is sung. This tradition symbolizes the ideals of free enterprise, independence and the ability to pursue new opportunities in America. And it always leaves the crowd in awe.
Every graduate also received a blanket after the ceremony to give to their mothers or mother figures in honor of Mother’s Day.
“Each and every one of you will be called to do something in this life. We all need to realize that we are pencils in the hand of a divine creator. He uses us and loves us, even when we do not love and acknowledge Him in return. Some of you will be called to do great things, but all of us are called to do small things with great love.”
— HPU 2023 Commencement Speaker Bonnie
McElveen-Hunter“Graduates, I hope you will say, ‘I’ll be the person who will lead the way. I’ll be the person who will bring appreciated value. I’ll be the person with a sense of awareness. I’ll be the person who will have good judgment. I’ll be the person who will bring relevance in every step, and I’ll do it with faithful courage.’”
— HPU President Nido Qubein
“High Point University is a place where nothing feels impossible. We have learned so much and acquired the tools that will make any dream possible. Because as we all know, it is not enough to dream it, we must do it.”
— HPU’s Class of 2023 President Shreya R.
RanaWatch highlights from HPU’s Commencement celebrated with family, friends and HPU traditions.
From Move-In Day to Commencement, HPU Security Officer Valerie Baxter, better known as “Ms. Val,” is there for students. She’s one of the first smiling faces students meet, and she is a constant presence throughout their time on campus.
On HPU’s Move-In Day, she makes a promise to freshmen and their parents that she’ll be there for students when they need her, keeping them safe, supported and loved.
HPU’s graduating Class of 2023 was particularly special to Ms. Val. They entered college in the midst of a pandemic. She watched them overcome challenges and was always there to cheer them on with words of encouragement or give a hug when they needed support.
Graduates shared a special moment with their beloved HPU security officer as they made their way to the Commencement stage in May. They took turns saying their goodbyes and getting one more of her signature hugs before they received their diplomas.
Catching the candid moment on video, HPU shared the story on social media. Parents, students and alumni flooded the comments with memories and messages of gratitude for Ms. Val. The heartfelt video went viral, prompting people across the internet and the world to fall in love with HPU’s caring security officer.
The video was also featured on national news outlets, including ABC’s “World News Tonight with David Muir” and NBC’s “TODAY” show.
Ms. Val’s famous hugs were so sought after that producers from “TODAY” flew her to New York City to appear on a segment with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, surprising them on-air.
Watch these segments and others by scanning the QR code below.
THEIR ‘CAMPUS MOM’ RECEIVED NATIONAL ATTENTION.
Meet Ms. Val: Watch national news coverage and the original viral video that shows how much graduates love their “campus mom.”
Every moment at HPU is intentionally designed to foster connection, creation and collaboration. Throughout this magazine, you’ll see just a few examples of opportunities that motivate students and play an active role in their success.
HPU knows that students rise to the level of their environment. It’s why students say the HPU “experience” creates an inspiring environment that compels them to learn, grow and create value. From beautiful gardens and water features to spacious dorms and modern labs, it’s about creating an atmosphere that educates from within.
Whether it’s a pickup game of volleyball, a chance to hear from nutritional experts at wellness fairs or even goat yoga on HPU’s International Promenade (pictured), HPU’s focus on students’ health and wellness not only enhances their day-to-day living but also sets them up for a lifetime of healthy choices, giving them more room to thrive.
For college students, it can be easy to overlook wellness. They lead busy lives. Between a full class schedule, a club meeting that can’t be missed and going to fun campus events with friends, holistic health and wellness may not be their first priority.
That’s why, as their home away from home, HPU’s campus is designed to holistically support students in all areas of wellness — physical, emotional, social, intellectual, occupational, financial, spiritual and environmental.
HPU’s focus on students’ health and wellness not only enhances their day-to-day living but also sets them up for a lifetime of healthy choices, giving them more room to thrive. Here is a glimpse into the ways HPU cultivates an environment centered around wellness.
From fitness and food to fun activities and rejuvenating spaces, HPU’s resources to support students’ total well-being are abundant.
As a busy college student, it’s not always easy to prioritize taking a break to de-stress. That’s where HPU comes in for support. LinkedIn Photo Day, plus a visit to the Office of Career and Professional Development, helps students boost their LinkedIn profile and eases the stress of landing that first big internship. At HPU’s Earth Day Celebration, students learn from nutritional and environmental experts, listen to live music, eat locally sourced food and socialize. Events and activities are designed to relax and motivate students all over campus, with Fulldome Friday movie showings in the Culp Planetarium, weekly block parties with food trucks, game nights and more. These opportunities give students endless access to a much-needed break outside the classroom so that they can maintain the motivation they need to succeed in class.
Good food is essential to a healthy life. The culinary experts on the HPU Dining team create a variety of healthy and tasty choices for students every day. With complimentary access to a registered dietitian, students can learn how to better fuel themselves or craft a plan for specific dietary needs.
The Hayworth Chapel and Religious Life Office is a resource for all students to foster spiritual wellness, no matter their religious beliefs. The Chapel is a welcoming space for reflection and meditation, worship gatherings and interfaith engagement.
Thanks to HPU Recreation (HPU Rec), it’s easy to find fun ways to stay well in all areas. HPU’s Rec team offers free exercise classes taught by experienced instructors. Whether you find fitness at the weight rack or in a more creative atmosphere — from group bungee fitness classes, goat yoga and cycling under the stars to intramural and club sports — there’s an activity for everyone that supports holistic health.
Mental health impacts academic performance, focus, physical health, happiness, fulfillment and overall success as a student. The Office of Counseling Services houses a team of licensed mental health professionals dedicated to offering services and outreach that enhance the mental health and wellness of the campus community. You’ll find the counseling team regularly engaging with students all around campus offering golf cart rides and trivia games on Wellness Wheels and at fun events to keep mental health a top priority.
HPU’s Student Health Services is led by a full-time medical doctor and a clinical staff. HPU is one of only three private universities in the state to have a full-time medical doctor as director of Student Health Services, powered by Novant Health. HPU’s Student Health Services staff are dedicated to providing exemplary holistic care. And they treat students not only as patients but as if they are their own children, so you know they’re in good hands.
Yes, getting in your steps and greens is good for your body, but sometimes what’s good for the soul is treating yourself to a latte after an exam or meeting friends for an Instagram-worthy weekend brunch. It’s why students appreciate convenient spots to grab a crafted coffee at the two Starbucks locations on campus as well as eclectic cafés, like The Butterfly Café or Great Day Bakery, which provide an escape from the classroom mindset.
Expert faculty and staff are committed to educating the minds and elevating the spirit of every student. This happens inside beautiful buildings with state-of-the-art industry equipment, but it also happens outside of those walls.
Colorful gardens, flowing water features, classical music and inspiring sculptures are just a few of the sights and sounds you’ll experience walking across HPU’s campus. Not only are they beautiful, but they point to a better well-being, reminding students to slow down. Having these spaces to relax and unwind outside the classroom gives students the motivation and clarity to succeed in the classroom.
HPU’s Mariana H. Qubein Arboretum and Botanical Gardens serve as a vibrant oasis that nourishes more than the character of HPU’s campus, but the heart, mind, body and soul of every student.
Green spaces such as these promote physical and mental health as well as social connections by providing a peaceful place for group interactions or individual relaxation. Spending time in nature has also been found to improve attention, reduce stress, boost mood and benefit areas of physical health.
HPU’s First Lady Mariana Qubein and her husband President Nido Qubein’s shared passion of inspiration, beauty and transformation motivated her to start the botanical gardens in 2006. She wanted to create a constellation of botanical gardens that would expand with the university and instill peace and a prayer-like serenity to anyone who visits. The 30 gardens, including the Caine Conservatory, develop in students a spirit of conservatism and endless experiential learning opportunities. Students in biology, art and other disciplines work with HPU’s gardens team to learn about
Listen to daily live music in The Café!
Be inspired by HPU President Nido Qubein’s motivational messages delivered daily to your inbox and on @HighPointU social media channels.
Attend wellness-driven events throughout the year, such as HPU Recfest and the Annual Earth Day Celebration.
Spend quality time with your parents at HPU’s Family Weekend 5K.
Attend a basketball game with friends in the Qubein Arena!
Set a fitness goal in one of HPU’s 10 fitness facilities or outdoor pools! And, enjoy free fitness classes taught by experienced instructors!
and help conserve the 2,500 taxa of plant life and 300 taxa of trees that make up the green spaces across campus. The gardens are enjoyed by local community members and HPU parents during campus events throughout the year, such as Family Weekends and the Annual Arbor Day Celebration. The Mariana H. Qubein Arboretum and Botanical Gardens have also received the Tree Campus Higher Education award for 14 consecutive years and been awarded a Level II Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum. ■ Try a nutritious meal at any of HPU’s 21 dining locations.
Pro Tip: The Mediterranean Experience at The Butterfly Café is a student favorite.
Harry D. “Butch” Johnson, Jr. and Susan Johnson recently established the Susan and Butch Johnson Family Endowed Scholarship with a major gift. Their scholarship supports HPU’s Bonner Leaders Program, which provides students scholarship assistance in exchange for a commitment to intensive, meaningful service in nonprofits in the local community.
Butch Johnson and his wife, Susan, have lived in the city of High Point for most of their lives. They are the proud parents of HPU alumna Jennifer Johnson, ’14, and a Forever Family.
“We grew to admire HPU and Dr. Qubein’s mission while my daughter was a student at HPU,” says Butch Johnson. “I believe in helping with whatever we encounter along our journey. After learning about the Bonner Leader Program, we knew we wanted to support the program and were given the opportunity to support through the endowed scholarship.”
While Jennifer was a student, Butch and Susan were impressed with the values of Qubein — how he values God, family and country. Jennifer had great relationships with her professors, too.
“I’ve been so impressed with how the faculty and staff value their students,” says Susan Johnson.
When her mother died the first week of Jennifer’s freshman year, Susan Johnson was touched by the condolences she received from HPU President Nido Qubein, as well as the minister of HPU’s Hayworth Chapel and the resident assistants in Jennifer’s dorm.
“I was so touched,” she says. “I could not believe that they took the time to call me. Jennifer felt the love. I knew then, for sure, that Jennifer was at the right school.”
Butch Johnson graduated from Guilford College and has worked in the IT industry for nearly 20 years. He eventually acquired Steel Performance, Inc., and over the next 30 years, completed steel erection for more than 100 million square feet of buildings across 38 states. He served on the Heart of High Point Committee and also supports High Point Community Against Violence, the United Way, the Bonner Leader Program at HPU and serves on HPU’s Board of Visitors.
Susan Johnson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in mathematics. After graduating, she worked as an actuary. When she and her husband adopted their daughter Jennifer, she dedicated her time to becoming a full-time mom. Susan and Butch Johnson are both members of Covenant Church United Methodist.
Now, the students Butch and Susan Johnson have helped support through their previous scholarships keep in touch by sending career and life updates — sharing the ways they give back to others and expressing their appreciation for how the scholarship impacted them.
“It is rewarding to see students we helped help others in the world,” says Susan Johnson. “We are big advocates of the university and feel so honored to be a part of the HPU family.”
“It is rewarding to see students we helped help others in the world. We are big advocates of the university and feel so honored to be a part of the HPU family.”
Susan Johnson
JiNan Glasgow George, a proud supporter of High Point University and the university’s extraordinary group of student entrepreneurs, recently made a major gift to establish The e5x Scholarship. The merit-based scholarship supports underrepresented student entrepreneurs, including women and minorities.
“I am thrilled to support our next generation of entrepreneurs through this scholarship,” says George. “I’m investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs who will transform our nation and the world.”
George is the founder and owner of Neo IP, a patent law practice in Durham, North Carolina, that serves entrepreneurs and companies internationally. She is also the CEO and co-founder of Patent Forecast®, a business intelligence SaaS company that provides insight for investors, executives, serial entrepreneurs and innovators — giving vision ahead of market data using patent data and artificial intelligence.
“Entrepreneurship and innovation are the #1 way to impact our economy or any global economy,” she says. “Entrepreneurs not only create wealth for themselves as their businesses grow and thrive, but they also create jobs and a work-life culture.”
George recently joined HPU’s Access to Innovators Program as the Intellectual Property Expert in Residence. She meets with entrepreneurship students monthly to mentor and offer legal advice and services at no cost. In 2022, she donated her time and expertise to help 12 students complete their provisional patent application process.
“This unique access makes HPU the most extraordinary in the nation,” says George.
Her background includes expertise in software, mechanical and electrical engineering, financial technology, biomedical devices and more. She was also the former patent examiner with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and earned degrees in engineering, law and theology from three different North Carolina-based universities.
George is also a current HPU parent. Her children are Guy Beretich, ’24, and Rosa Beretich, ’25.
“There really is an extraordinary group of young people at High Point University,” says George. “I believe it is because the culture at HPU is so extraordinary itself.”
She hopes that The e5x Scholarship will help underrepresented students, or those with limited resources, be able to launch their post-graduation entrepreneurial ventures without being encumbered by additional debt.
George named the scholarship intentionally. The “e” in e5x stands for entrepreneur, and the “5x” comes from the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25 of the Bible. She believes that when we invest the talents God has entrusted to us and use them in the world, God multiplies them to result in greater impact, bringing more return into our hands and God’s kingdom.
If you would like to support the next generation of entrepreneurs that will transform our world and nation or receive more information about how your family can make an impact at High Point University, visit engage.highpoint.edu.
H. Lindsay Holcomb, Jr., recently made a donation to High Point University to name the Congdon Hall ballroom in honor of his wife, Anne Kerr Walker, ’60, an outstanding alumna who earned her degree in English education.
Walker was named Alumna of the Year in 2016 and has been a member of HPU’s Board of Trustees since 2011. During what she has called her third career, she served for 13 years as president of the Steel Magnolias, an organization of 100 women who remain an active part of the High Point University Alumni Association. She takes great pride that the Maggies, as they are affectionately called, increased their scholarship fund from $3,000 to $208,000 during that time and that they award three scholarships annually to students from North Carolina. The Maggies have also been instrumental in planting 180 different cultivars of magnolia trees on the HPU campus; however,
friendship and their bond with HPU are the basis of the organization. Seeing Walker preside at her last meeting as president of the Steel Magnolias inspired Holcomb to make his donation.
“She stood at that podium as she has done for 13 years, and I was so proud of the incredible job she did,” says Holcomb. “For the program, she did a masterful job of interviewing HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein, as they replicated his Side by Side TV program. She ended the meeting by graciously recognizing those who had served with her, taking no credit for the tremendous success of the organization. I made up my mind at that moment that ‘this is her room,’ and I am going to do all I can to have it named in her honor.”
Holcomb and Walker have made additional donations to establish the Dr. Harold C. “Hal” Warlick, Jr. Endowed Scholarship in memory of
the former dean of the Hayworth Chapel at HPU and minister at the Methodist church in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, where they had a summer home.
Walker taught English and journalism in public schools for 30 years. She was named the Outstanding Young Educator for Orange County and held numerous leadership roles in civic and professional organizations, including president of the North Carolina Association of Educators-Teachers of English. Upon retiring from education in 1987, she entered the real estate industry for 25 years and was consistently a top producer and shareholder with Graham and Boles Properties in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
As the former Miss High Point 1956, Walker continues to represent High Point University and her former city with pride, humility and gratitude.
Dr. Paul and Barbara Coughlin recently made a commitment to support High Point University and name the fountain at the Panther Drive entrance, near the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, the Coughlin Family Fountain.
Paul Coughlin, a urologic surgeon for more than 45 years, says he and his wife, Barbara, an attorney, believe strongly in the values HPU is teaching its students. The two met on their first day of college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and described it as love at first sight. She went to law school while he completed medical school. After the Coughlins married, she wrote tax laws for the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C., while he completed his two-year internship in trauma surgery at George Washington University. They moved to Durham, North Carolina, where Paul completed a residency in urologic surgery at Duke University and Barbara was a tax attorney in Raleigh.
Because Barbara Coughlin had grown up in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Paul in Asheville, North Carolina, they compromised by making the city of High Point their home in 1984 and raised four daughters. The Coughlins became friends with HPU President Nido Qubein and his wife, Mariana.
“We are friends of HPU, first of all, because we love President Qubein and his vision for the university,” says Barbara Coughlin. “We love the values of God, family and country. We love what HPU is doing for our city. It’s educating the students in values that we believe in.”
Paul Coughlin agrees that the Qubeins strive for excellence in all they do and have made a strong commitment to the future of HPU students.
“We’re very impressed with President Qubein’s feeling that this is a God, family and country university,” says Paul Coughlin. “We think it truly is extraordinary that he is teaching students life skills and values — certainly qualities that students can use throughout life. Students can instill those values in people around them.”
Seeing people in the community from all walks of life, Paul Coughlin constantly meets HPU supporters. When the couple travels across the country or overseas, they often meet
people who recognize an HPU hat or shirt they wear and stop to talk about the values it represents.
“We live in a very caring community, and I think High Point University fosters that sense of caring and community,” says Paul Coughlin. “We are truly grateful for what the university has done for our community. It’s getting noticed around the country and really around the world. That makes us very proud to be a part of the High Point University community.”
For more than a decade, Barbara Coughlin has served on HPU’s Board of Visitors and chaired the Nido Qubein and Associates Scholarship Fund, an organization independent of HPU, which since 1973 has given more than 800 scholarships to local high school students attending any North Carolina university.
“I’m thankful for all the gifts God gave Dr. Qubein and that he’s using them all to help HPU and our city,” she says.
“We love the values of God, family and country. We love what HPU is doing for our city. It’s educating the students in values that we believe in.”
Barbara Coughlin
Tom and Dina Archipley, from Michigan, committed over $1 million to High Point University.
Their contributions will support the HPU Fund for Extraordinary Education, the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, HPU’s Theater Program and Charcoal Pony Improv Group.
Their son Zach Archipley is a Class of 2023 graduate who majored in performance theater and was a member of Charcoal Pony.
Tom Archipley is the chairman and co-founder of Blink Device Company, a medical equipment manufacturer. Prior to Blink, he was the owner and CEO of Centurion Medical Products Corporation.
Tom and Dina Archipley are actively involved in supporting various organizations, including Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project in Uganda, the SEAL Family Foundation, CRISMA (Center for Integrated Rehabilitation of San Miguel de Allende) and the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, among many others.
Sanjay and Julie Meshri contributed over $400,000 to High Point University. Their gifts support the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, the HPU Fund for Extraordinary Education and establishing the Meshri Family Unrestricted Endowed Fund.
Sanjay Meshri is the retired managing director of Advance Research Chemicals, Inc., and chairman at Meshri Holdings. He serves on many community boards and leadership teams in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sanjay and Julie Meshri are the parents of Daya F. Meshri, a Class of 2023 graduate who double majored in sociology and anthropology and nonprofit leadership. She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority, was inducted into the Order of the Lighted Lamp and was presented with the Graduate of the Year award by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Over the past four years, Bob and Tricia Flynn have committed over $700,000 to support health and wellness initiatives at HPU. They have established the Flynn Family Student Mental Health and Wellness Fund and provided annual support for the HPU counseling center to support the programs necessary to increase student wellness on campus. More recently, their gifts have supported the construction of the new Panther Commons on the HPU campus. “Our goal,” Bob Flynn says, “is to give back in ways that help the university continue its incredible transformation, while also moving the needle on how HPU can help students care for themselves as holistically as possible.”
As a physical therapist and personal trainer, Tricia Flynn says her focus is not only on rehabilitation but more importantly towards prevention, including injury prevention and the proactive support of mental and emotional health.
Originally from the Boston, Massachusetts, area, the Flynns are entrepreneurs with a long history in the health and fitness industry. They now live in Central Florida and are the owners of Curious Cork Wine and Provisions in the Lake Nona community. Their daughter, Meagan Flynn, majored in strategic communication and is a recent graduate from the Class of 2023.
To recognize their support, the fitness center in HPU’s Panther Commons is named after the Flynn Family. “With students using the fitness facility,” says Tricia Flynn, “it will help them increase their mental well-being and endurance through the day. Fitness is a way for students to develop healthier, life sustaining habits.”
David and Marcella Roberts have committed $550,000 to establish the Roberts Family Endowed Fund and support the HPU Fund for Extraordinary Education.
David Roberts is a licensed real estate broker and owner of Royal Palm Properties in Boca Raton, Florida, with 45 years of experience in real estate. He was recognized as a 2022 Power Broker in Residential Real Estate by the South Florida Business Journal. Both David and Marcella are involved in many local charities throughout the Boca Raton community.
David and Marcella are the parents of Sebastian Roberts, a Class of 2025 business administration major.
In recognition of their giving, the lobby of HPU’s Panther Commons has been named for the Roberts Family.
HPUPictured from left to right are Tricia Flynn, HPU President Nido Qubein, Meagan Flynn, ‘23, and Bob Flynn.
High Point University held the 2022 Homecoming Weekend on Nov. 4-6, with thousands of HPU alumni participating in a variety of events on campus.
The weekend kicked off with the Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony, honoring HPU alumni who have made outstanding accomplishments and demonstrated a commitment to their communities and the university.
HPU President Nido Qubein opened the ceremony and welcomed alumni to campus. “Amazing things are happening here at your alma mater,” Qubein told the crowd of HPU alumni. “Did you ever imagine we would have a dental school or a law school? Be proud of your university today. We’re going places. We have faith, we have courage, and most importantly, we have your continued support.”
The following alumni were honored during the ceremony.
Dr.
Surratt is a native of Thomasville, North Carolina, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history from then High Point College and went on to earn his Master of Education in education administration and history from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1968. He began his professional career as a teacher with Guilford County Schools and later served the district as an assistant principal, project director and assistant superintendent until 1975. Surratt earned his Doctor of Education from Duke University in 1974 with a focus on administration and supervision.
During his notable career in public education, Surratt served 30 years as a superintendent for many North Carolina districts. Surratt also developed a model technology school in Florida, seven International Baccalaureate schools and led districts to 28 U.S. Schools of Excellence Blue Ribbon Awards along with numerous national awards.
Surratt met his wife, Elizabeth, while attending then High Point College and later faced the challenges of parenting a child with autism. The couple made a seven-figure philanthropic gift that established the Surratt Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship to help support a special education major from each academic class who intends to pursue a career path working with children who have autism or similar disabilities. In addition, the Dr. James E. Surratt Outstanding School of Education Doctoral Student Award is presented annually to a Stout School of Education doctoral student who displays exceptional leadership skills.
Fidler is a native of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, who began his career in chemical distribution as a sales representative of Textile Chemical Company in Reading, Pennsylvania. After the company was bought by Brenntag of Mülheim, Germany, in
1981, Fidler rose in multiple positions at Brenntag North American and ultimately became president in 2006 and CEO in 2007. In this role, Fidler joined the management board and was responsible for their North and Latin American operations until his retirement in 2015.
Fidler established All-In Advisors, LLC, a chemical industry advisory firm in 2015. He acquired RGA Enterprises, Inc., a contract packaging company, with his wife and their son, Will, who serves as president and CEO. In 2018, Fidler formed an investment group to acquire chemical distribution firm Americhem, Inc., along with his stepson, Eric, who serves as president. In 2020, at the onset of the global pandemic, Fidler established Pure Spaces, LLC, a sanitization business, with his son-in-law, David.
Fidler was named the 2013 Distributor of the Year by the National Association of Chemical Distributors. In 2018, the Chemical Education Foundation created the William Fidler Service Award to honor his dedication to the organization. In 2019, he received the Henderson, Kentucky, Rotary Club’s Service Over Self Award for his leadership in establishing the local Boys & Girls Club. Fidler continues to support the Boys & Girls Club, which he started through volunteering during college. Fidler serves his alma mater as chair of the Board of Visitors. The Fidlers have established a seven-figure planned gift to support the William A. Fidler Endowed Scholarship to provide financial assistance for students in the Earl N. Phillips School of Business or the Wanek School of Natural Sciences.
Linda T. Chafin, Class of 1976
Chafin was born in High Point and grew up in nearby Asheboro, North Carolina. She began her studies at then High Point College part-time in 1965. In 1977, she began her professional career at High Point College as an adjunct accounting and auditing instructor. After several years, she joined the United Way of Greater High Point as finance director, where she initiated and implemented the computerization of records while ensuring fiscal accountability and successful audits. As a certified public accountant, she joined the office of CPA Ronald R. Davis in 1984. Chafin later became an independent accountant by opening her own firm in High Point where she specialized in small business accounting in addition to business and personal tax preparation. After 32 years, she retired in 2019.
Through the years, Chafin served on numerous boards in High Point and the greater Triad region. From 2003 to 2008, she also served as a Guardian Ad Litem, an advocate for abused and neglected children through the court system. She also served as a member of the HPU Board of Visitors and Panther Club. Last May, she completed a six-year term on the HPU Alumni Board of Directors, where she chaired the Scholarship Committee for three
years. Through this role, the committee reviewed, selected and awarded approximately $100,000 to many deserving HPU students. In 2006, Chafin supported the Earl N. Phillips School of Business with a philanthropic investment. The university recognized her by naming a classroom in honor of her family in Phillips Hall.
Chafin continues to support her alma mater through the Steel Magnolias, a group of HPU alumnae who advocate for the university. Their endowed scholarship has grown from $3,000 to $208,000 in the last 10 years, awarding multiple scholarships each year to students who call North Carolina home. In addition, the group spearheaded the Steel Magnolia Tree collection as part of the Mariana H. Qubein Arboretum and Botanical Gardens that now contains more than 180 different varieties of magnolia trees. Chafin served as the group’s treasurer from 2013 to 2019 and as a member of the advisory board from 2013 to 2021.
Scott earned his Bachelor of Science through the evening degree program. His early career encompassed
managing data centers for BB&T in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where the bank was headquartered. In 1995, he joined Wachovia as its chief information security officer and later became head of information security technologies and operations with Wells Fargo in 2009. Scott returned to BB&T in 2015 as its chief information security officer, a position he held until the merger of equals between BB&T and SunTrust Banks, Inc., in December 2019. Scott retired as executive vice president and the chief information security officer at Truist Financial Corporation after more than 40 years in information security, last year.
Scott has been recognized as both an Information Security Executive of the Year and Quality Leadership Executive of the Year nominee for the Southeastern United States. He was presented a Hometown Heroes Salute by the U.S. Air Force. In addition, he served on HPU’s Technology Advisory Board and the Technology Council Executive Committee for the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. Scott holds numerous professional affiliations with the Banking Institute of Technology Secretariat, Sheltered Harbor board of directors, Information Risk Executive Council, and serves on both Microsoft and Cisco’s customer advisory boards. ■
“Be proud of your university today. We’re going places. We have faith, we have courage, and most importantly, we have your continued support.”
Nido Qubein, HPU PresidentLINDA T. CHAFIN STEVE L. SCOTT
Natalie K. Eidson, ’13
The event coordinator and program manager of Explore Elkin, a businessled organization she helped form to create a tourism hub in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina.
Nikki L. Sanford, ’13
Earned her Juris Doctorate in 2016 from William and Mary Law School and is a practicing intellectual property law attorney with BakerHostetler in Seattle, Washington.
Ingrid L. Cross, ’15
The political action committee manager for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.
Cate S. Owens, ’16
A sales associate for Creative Office Resources, a commercial furniture dealership in Boston, Massachusetts, who specializes in high-rise, ground-up builds in the Boston market by working with brokers, project managers and design firms.
SAVE THE DATE:
Dana H. Pusateri, ’17
Manager of client relations for the Americas, where she travels, hosts and stewards the Top 1% of Christian Dior clients.
Christopher J. Stone, ’17
A senior process manager for eClerx Financial Markets, where he manages the Know Your Client review process for a global investment bank.
Cameron P. Scott, ’17
Coordinator of baseball development in the Major League Baseball Central Office, where he identifies top minority amateur athletes to attend MLB youth initiatives.
Cassandra P. Diaz, ’19
Director of Sponsorship Sales, Midwest at Live Nation, where she focuses on selling marketing programs for Live Nation Entertainment within amphitheaters, clubs and theater venues throughout Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Emily C. Promise, ’16
A partner at Blakely Financial in High Point, North Carolina. She assisted with opening a second office in her hometown of Marblehead, Massachusetts, and the acquisition of another practice.
C. Connor Mosack, ’21
Named the 2020 CARS Tour Late Model Stock Rookie of the Year and a two-time Trans Am winner at Watkins Glenn in 2021 and 2022. He made his first start this year racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
On Nov. 3-5, 2023, High Point University will celebrate Homecoming 2023. Join fellow classmates and current HPU students throughout the weekend for annual events like the Alumni Awards Ceremony, sporting events, a 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.
A sculpture acknowledging Murdock’s humble beginnings, his impact on HPU, the country and the community was recently installed at the Patriots Plaza on campus.
“Jerry Murdock has blessed many students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the values and culture offered at High Point University,” said HPU President Nido Qubein at a ceremony naming Patriots Plaza on campus in the fall of 2022. “Through his generosity, we graduate students with a commitment to service and a hope to change the world.”
As a God, family and country institution, HPU’s Patriots Plaza represents loyalty, honor and pride. Each year, the plaza hosts numerous student and community events honoring our country and military veterans, including the annual 9/11 memorial service. Located at the heart of campus, this plaza features an American flag front and center, as well as smaller U.S. flags framing the space and descending fountain pools with 56 arched jets that encompass the pools.
Born in Statesville, North Carolina, Murdock grew up as an orphan at the Methodist Children’s Home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. When he applied to then High Point College, he was given a full scholarship and became a member of the track team and the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He worked in the dining hall, library and maintenance department. These experiences instilled in him the desire to support his alma mater and serve his community. He vowed then to donate $1 million to the university to support students who came after him. To date, Murdock has gifted more than $3.5 million in support of various scholarships and programs.
Murdock embodies HPU’s values and serves as a model for the impact a dedicated alumnus can have through a lifelong relationship with their alma mater.
“I’ve always felt inclined to give back to this university and community as it has always been so generous to me,” says Murdock. “High Point University has instilled their values in me, and it has been a blessing to provide the same opportunities to the students who have come after me.”
In 2018, Murdock received the Alumni Service Award for his continued involvement in various university service initiatives. The Murdock family continues to be loyal supporters and advocates of HPU through the Jerry W. and Joan S. Murdock Endowed Scholarship, HPU Fund for Extraordinary Education, Student-Athlete Excellence Fund and Class of 1962 Endowed Scholarship. He also
created a preservation endowment for campus improvements and enhancements.
Upon graduating, Murdock served in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in New Port, Rhode Island, and on the Shangri-La aircraft in May Port, Florida. After departing, Murdock began his career in management and sales before deciding to start his business, IPS Packaging. Murdock started the company in his basement in 1976. Today, IPS is a nationwide leader in packaging products, equipment and service. He and his wife, Joan, have four children and nine grandchildren.
“High Point University has instilled their values in me, and it has been a blessing to provide the same opportunities to the students who have come after me.”
Jerry Murdock, Class of 1962The sculpture acknowledging Murdock’s service to country, HPU and the community was recently installed at Patriots Plaza.
Nearly 1,000 students compete in club sports at High Point University. Not only do HPU’s Club Sports help students stay active, channel their passion and develop meaningful friendships, but through competitions, coaching and teamwork, they learn life skills, too. Here are just a few of their stories!
My hockey sweater from freshman year hangs on my bedroom wall.
That year, a team of mostly freshmen and sophomores made the playoffs with only 14 players. That began our dream of restarting a hockey program at HPU and eventually fielding an NCAA team.
As a senior, I saw our team grow. We had 30 players, and we made the playoffs every year. We had a winning record, and we were undefeated in conference play. The team’s future is bright.
I’ve been riding for 10 years, and the hundreds of ribbons I’ve won cover a wall in my bedroom back home. So I knew I wanted to go to a university with an accomplished equestrian team.
Cathy Schlaeppi, HPU’s equestrian coach, is one of the reasons I chose HPU. She’s a well-known coach who has produced many successful riders, and she has helped build confidence in me and my teammates. She cares about us, not just as riders but as people.
Last spring when I qualified for Nationals in Pennsylvania, I finished sixth out of 16 of the best collegiate riders in the country. This is the highest an HPU student has ever placed at Nationals.
With this being such a huge event, my parents drove up from North Carolina and my grandparents came from New Jersey to support me. Cathy, however, was my biggest cheerleader and was more than thrilled with how well I did. Right when I walked out of the ring, she told me, “I couldn’t have asked for you to have a better ride.”
That’s all I can ever ask for. To make my coach proud.
I graduated in May with a degree in accounting, and I enjoyed many of the unique educational and networking opportunities that HPU provides.
I’ve played hockey since I was 5. For the past two years, I was fortunate to be HPU’s team captain, and I helped lead the program’s growth with my teammates.
That’s why I keep my hockey sweater on the wall near my bed.
I believe everyone has the potential to do something big at HPU. I want other students to share this belief with me.
My love for gaming started when I was 5 years old — playing video games with my brother.
We’d be upstairs, playing Super Smash Bros., yelling so loud that our parents would have to tell us, “Keep it down!”
I first heard about HPU when a friend introduced me to their esports program. I thought my computer was impressive, but when I stepped into the Esports Arena, all those desktops were in a completely different league.
I joined HPU’s Club Esports team during my freshman year, and I loved it because I found friends and a sense of community. Between live tournaments and team events, I made countless memories, and in my four years here, I went from just a player to the general manager of our largest esports team.
To say the video game industry is male-dominated would be an understatement. Despite this, I graduated with a degree in game design and a minor in computer science, and I want to be a game designer that a girl can look to and say, “If she can do it, so can I.”
I knew rowing was part of the Olympics and at Ivy League schools up north. But I had no idea where to find it in North Carolina.
I only found out when I went to HPU’s activities fair during the first semester of my freshman year. The coach persuaded me to come out, and when I started, I was terrible. But my coach saw potential in me. I’m now a junior, and I’ve gotten a lot better. I’ve participated in regattas in Augusta, Georgia, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, and last summer, I competed in the national championships and made it to the semi-finals. Rowing is physically demanding, and I like how it combines both strength and endurance training. I played baseball for nearly my whole life and have found that rowing isn’t as harsh on your body as baseball. Plus, it’s changed how I see my future.
I initially thought I’d become a physical therapist. I’m majoring in exercise science and music. But after being on HPU’s Club Rowing team, I’d like to coach rowing and teach at a university.
That would make me happy for the rest of my life.
Esports
Women’s Equestrian
Ballroom and Latin Dance
Men’s Baseball
Mixed Martial Arts
Bass Fishing
Men’s Gymnastics
Women’s Gymnastics
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball
Men’s Ice Hockey
Women’s Ice Hockey
Field Hockey
Men’s Lacrosse
Women’s Lacrosse
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
Men’s Volleyball
Women’s Volleyball
Mini Golf
Disc Golf
Golf
Men’s Powerlifting
Women’s Powerlifting
Men’s Rowing
Women’s Rowing
Running
Women’s Softball
Men’s Swimming
Women’s Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Cheerleading
34 HPU OFFERS Club Sports Teams In:
As soon as Noah Holmes climbed into the golf cart, cradling the trophy in his arms, he noticed the big eyes. Holden Trent did, too.
Everywhere they went around campus, people stared.
“You want a picture?” Trent, then a redshirt senior, and Holmes, a graduate student, asked the students they passed on campus.
Everyone did. They stood beside Trent and Holmes, with the trophy, smiling big.
Last season, they helped the men’s soccer team at High Point University win their second Big South Championship in a big way, and when their Head Coach Zach Haines asked them to join him in a golf cart and show off the team’s new trophy, they couldn’t wait.
Holmes and Trent saw it as fun; their coach saw it as an invaluable lesson.
“We remind our guys every week that this is bigger than us,” says Haines, selected in November 2022 as Big South’s Coach of the Year. “A lot of factors and a lot of people have played a part in our success.”
The HPU Men’s Soccer team finished with a record of 11-5-5. Behind those numbers are athletic examples of grit and resilience: a tie to No. 2 Georgetown; and a win over No. 7 Maryland and Campbell University in the Big South Championship.
Then, there’s the biggest win in the program’s history.
After scoring the second goal against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Holmes slid knee-first into the arms of his teammates. He knew they did it.
The Panthers had never beaten the UNC Tar Heels in men’s soccer — until last November, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers won 2-0 and became HPU’s first men’s team to win in an NCAA Tournament.
When the whistle blew, Coach Haines enjoyed the moment — watching his team beat his alma mater, an in-state nemesis, on their home field.
How
Ask Trent, one of the team’s two captains. He knows.
In early September 2022, after two crushing losses, players and
coaches gathered in the locker room to talk.
That meeting turned their season around, Trent and Holmes say.
As the conversations in their locker room meeting became more spirited and confessional, a common thread emerged: Fight for each another, hold each other accountable, lift each other up.
“We realized that we were playing for each other,” Holmes says. “We were playing for a Big South title and an NCAA berth.”
After that meeting, the team embraced a never-say-die mentality. Trent, the team’s acclaimed goalkeeper, sensed it.
“You could feel it during the games,” he says. “When we were playing at Maryland and went down 1-0, you just felt that we were going to be able to claw our way back.”
That feeling never went away.
The next game, the team beat Coastal Carolina University 2-1. Holmes scored his first goal. It was far from his last.
Over the season, Holmes scored 11 total goals and became the 12th leading scorer in the nation. He also earned First Team All-Big South along with Trent, Jefferson Amaya, ’26, Sebastian Chalbaud, ’23, and Finn McRobb, ’24.
To Josh Gillon, the team’s associate head coach, the motivation he sees in his star players is a common thread.
“Our guys are hungry,” says Gillon. “They don’t sit on their laurels. They’re really good players, but they’re better people.”
Holmes, currently earning his MBA, returns this season. But Trent, the Big South Goalkeeper of the Year for the past two seasons, has gone pro. Four days before Christmas last year, he was selected by the Philadelphia Union.
Trent was the 28th overall pick in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft — and the highest pick ever for an HPU Men’s Soccer player.
Trent leaves with so many memories, especially from his final season.
“I’ll miss it a lot,” Trent says of HPU Soccer. “It’s because of the relationships I’ve had. I’ve grown so much.”
“We realized that we were playing for each other. We were playing for a Big South title and an NCAA berth.”
Noah Holmes, Graduate StudentHOLDEN TRENT NOAH HOLMES
Energy and excitement filled the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center as HPU President Nido Qubein announced the hiring of Alan Huss as the new men’s basketball head coach during a press conference in March.
“High Point University is a values-based university, and that was an important factor for us in selecting Alan Huss as the men’s basketball head coach,” said Qubein at the press conference. “Not only do Alan’s values align with HPU’s values, but Alan is
also a proven leader and coach who comes to us from an Elite Eight finish at Creighton, where he has served as associate head coach. He knows the game as a player who reached the NCAA Tournament three times.
“We welcome Alan and his family to the HPU family, and we look forward to Alan’s leadership, experience and energy as we continue to build excellence in athletics at High Point University.”
Huss becomes the 14th men’s basketball head coach in the program’s history.
“I would like to thank President Qubein for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program at High Point University,” Huss said. “I am humbled and excited to work toward elevating the men’s basketball program to a championship level in line with the overall excellence at High Point University.”
Huss spent the last six seasons at Creighton University, his alma mater, as an assistant coach. He worked closely with the power forwards and played a big role in the development of the team’s offense, scouting and recruiting. Huss was elevated to associate head coach in 2021 after the Bluejays reached multiple program firsts.
In 2019-2020, Creighton won its first Big East regular season title after being picked seventh in the preseason. Huss was a vital part of Creighton’s No. 7 nationally ranked 2021-2022 recruiting class, which was the same season the Bluejays advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1974.
During the 2022-2023 season, Huss helped guide the Bluejays to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1941 after a third-place finish in the Big East Conference.
Huss was a four-year member on Creighton Men’s Basketball team from 1997 to 2001. Playing under head coach Dana Altman and alongside future NBA star Kyle Korver, Huss was a part of three NCAA Tournament teams (1999-2001), two Missouri Valley Conference Tournament titles (1999 and 2000) and one MVC regular-season title (1999). Huss totaled 94 games as a Bluejay with 39 starts. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Creighton in 2002.
Before returning to his alma mater, Huss served as a head coach at three Indiana high schools over eight seasons (20062014) and set the record for most wins at all three. His first collegiate coaching job was as an assistant coach at the University of New Mexico from 2014 to 2017.
“Alan Huss is an elite basketball coach with the reputation and experience of a national recruiter and an exceptional teacher of the game,” said Dan Hauser, vice president and director of athletics. “We are thrilled to have him lead our HPU Men’s Basketball team to championship success. We welcome Alan and his wife Katie, daughters Nicky and Mary, to the High Point University family.”
Watch highlights from the exciting announcement here.
“I couldn’t be more excited for Alan and his family as they begin a new chapter at HPU. His tireless work ethic and ability to evaluate talent, while developing the necessary relationships in recruiting is second to none. In his role as associate head coach, I have leaned heavily on Alan with virtually every decision we have made within our program. He has played an instrumental part in the sustained success of Bluejay basketball. He has great rapport with studentathletes, staff and boosters. Alan, along with his wife, Katie, and daughters, Nicky and Mary, will ingrain themselves in the High Point community. He will implement a brand of basketball that Panther fans will enjoy. I wish Alan and High Point Basketball a tremendous amount of success moving forward.”
– Greg McDermott, Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Creighton University“Al Huss is an outstanding teacher who is passionate, intelligent and possesses extremely high character. We are tremendously grateful to Al and his family for all they did for Creighton University and wish him continued success at High Point University.”
– Bruce Rasmussen, Former Athletic Director, Creighton University and Chairman of NCAA Selection CommitteeFor HPU Basketball fans, there’s nothing quite like walking into the sea of purple that fills the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena ahead of a men’s or women’s basketball game. Students pack the student section and HPU Student Suite for the best views in the house throughout the season. The crowd rises as the band plays and the lights dim before HPU’s mascot, Prowler the Panther, struts to center court raising an HPU flag to the beat of purple drums. HPU student-athletes storm the court. The energy is contagious. The memories made are priceless for the fans and the athletes. Meet just a few all-star players on HPU Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, and hear their perspective on last season’s hype.
Class of 2024 Guard, Men’s Basketball:
I have really grown as a player as well as a person this season. As a team, we grew closer and learned what each person needs to do for us to succeed.
We had some highs and lows throughout the season that reminded me of when my grandmother would say, “Your highs are never as high as you think, and your lows are never as low as you think.”
I learned that if you keep working and doing the right things, you’ll be successful.
My hopes for next season are no less than a Big South Championship. I know we have the talent and willingness to do what it takes to accomplish this, and I am already looking forward to getting started this upcoming season.
Class of 2025 Guard, Women’s Basketball:
Before every game, I put my playlist on shuffle.
I’m not thinking about what I need to do when I go into the game. I’m just listening to my music, working on my form, getting hyped with my teammates and focusing on getting good on my shots. That clears my head and gets me relaxed. Then, I’m ready to play.
As a freshman, I felt like I was testing the waters. The next year, I knew what to expect.
I now take smarter shots, and I’ve learned how to score in different ways. I’ve worked on my skill set, and I’ve matured.
I worked hard because I want Coach Chelsea Banbury and my teammates to trust me. We’re a good team, and I believe we can win championships in our new arena. We can carry on our legacy of winning.
Class of 2023 Guard, Men’s Basketball: We’ve always had the talent to be this good. This year, though, we don’t let the moment get to us. We’re calmer. We’re making shots, we’re getting stops, and we’re playing a different style of basketball — fast, intense and putting a lot of pressure on opposing teams instead of a more slow-paced game. Our experience has played a part in our success. But it’s also our overall commitment. Last summer, we got after it.
It’s probably the hardest the whole team has worked individually on their game. We all felt this responsibility to get better because we knew how good we could be. Every game we’ve played confirmed that belief. We believe in ourselves and our team.
Class of 2022 and 2023 Guard, Women’s Basketball:
It felt good to be back on the court.
I had never been injured before, and last year, I injured my knee in our first game. It wasn’t easy, but it made me better. I’m more wellrounded, and I appreciate more of what I have. Still, I had something to prove this season, especially to myself.
I was picked again as Pre-Season Player of the Year, and I was excited to see how I would do. A lot of people don’t come back the same after an injury. But people told me I did well. In the beginning, I had a few rough games. But by November, when we played at the tournament in Puerto Rico, I started playing like my old self again. The ball started going through the hoop, and it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I felt confident again. It was like, “There it is! You can still do it!”
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HPU Magazine is published for alumni, parents and friends of High Point University. To see previous editions, visit www.highpoint.edu/magazine
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