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High Point University

File:Hpu seal lg79.jpg
Motto	Nil Sine Numine (Latin)
Motto in English	Nothing Without Divine Guidance
Type	Private
Established	1924
Endowment	US$37 million
President	Nido Qubein
Academic staff	879
Students	4,500
Undergraduates	4,200
Postgraduates	319
Location	High Point, North Carolina, U.S.
Campus	Suburban 230 acre
Colors	Purple and white
Nickname	Panthers
Mascot	Prowler the Panther
Website	www.highpoint.edu

High Point University is a private liberal arts university in High Point, North Carolina, U.S., affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

History

The Methodist Protestant Church, which is now part of the United Methodist Church, first became active in educational pursuits in North Carolina in the middle of the 19th century. Then, in the early part of the twentieth century, after some years of consideration, the statewide governing body of the Methodist Protestant Church voted in 1921 to proceed with establishing a new college. Shortly afterwards the church accepted an offer from the citizens of High Point to contribute 60 acres (240,000 m) of land and $100,000 to the project, landing the new school in the city of High Point. The campus was designed by R. E. Mitchell of Washington, D.C., assisted by Herbert Hunter of High Point, in the English Renaissance style. The school was founded in 1924 as High Point College, a joint venture between the Methodist Protestant Church and the citizens of High Point, and officially opened its doors on September 14, 1924. When the college opened, the campus consisted of three buildings, attended by nine faculty members, with a student enrollment of 122.

High Point University presidents

The steadfast growth that characterized the birth of the College ended abruptly with the Great Depression. This period was difficult for the College in 1932–33, as faculty salaries were cut and expenses were sometimes bartered. Despite a $50,000 fund raising campaign, the College declared bankruptcy on June 15, 1934 and reorganization in an effort to reduce its indebtedness. Subsequent reorganization enabled the College to move forward with business and renewed expansion.

Then on October 9, 1991, by the action of the Board of Trustees, the name of High Point College was changed to High Point University to reflect post-graduate degree programs. Coincident with the offering of graduate studies, several improvements and building additions were made to the campus, and by 2004the University's endowment increased to $40 million.

In recent years, the school has brought a number of high-profile speakers to campus, including former President George W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, televangelist pioneer Rev. Robert Schuller, Queen Noor of Jordan, television legend Bill Cosby, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, astronaut and children's book author Buzz Aldrin, Coca-Cola Company Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent, the former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, and Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple. Colin L. Powell has been retained to be the 2014 Commencement speaker.

Criticism in the Press

Since taking office in 2005, President Nido Qubein has been adding campus buildings steadily, and has created buzz about the school by brandishing student amenities like concierge services, an on-campus steak house, free carwashes, and a roving ice-cream truck, among others. The refurbishments and student perks don't come cheap however. Businessweek reports that about $700 million in new building and campus upgrades was financed by heavy borrowing and Moody’s Investor Services downgraded the school’s bonds to junk status because it is one of the most heavily-leveraged colleges in the country as a result. The university countered that it has an innovative and financially sound plan for the future. Businessweek responded by inviting the school to make financial documents available to support any challenges to the article's accuracy, but none were offered in response.

In addition to questioning debt levels, Businessweek challenged whether the school's relationships with its lenders and vendors were at an appropriate arm's-length, citing in particular that the school spends large marketing dollars with a public relations firm headed by the president's daughter. The college's claims to a growing reputation in higher education were challenged as being based more on high-end student amenities and marketing strategy than on solid academics.

Location

Together, Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem, along with the surrounding suburbs and townships, form the Piedmont Triad region, an area with a population over 1.5 million. Of that number, approximately 100,342 live in High Point. Both Greensboro and Winston-Salem are twenty minutes from campus. East of the University are Raleigh, NC (1½ hours away) and the Atlantic Ocean (3½ hours away); south of the University are Charlotte, NC (1½ hours away) and Atlanta, GA (5 hours away); west of the University are the Appalachian Mountains (2 hours away) and north is Washington, DC (5 hours away).

Academics

In 2012, High Point University had a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1 and a student retention rate of 79%. The average class size at High Point University is 17 students and no student teachers or teacher assistants instruct classes.

High Point University recently received three No. 1 rankings in "America's Best Colleges," published annually by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings for 2014 included No. 1 Best Regional College in the South (second consecutive year), No. 1 Up and Coming School in Regional Colleges in the South (second consecutive year), and No. 1 for Best Undergraduate Teaching in Regional Colleges in the South. HPU's number 1 ranking among regional Southern colleges for 2014 was against a peer group of #2 John Brown University (Arkansas), #3 Meredith College (NC), #4 Asbury University (KY), and #5 Florida Southern College (FL).

HPU has been included in the current list, "America's Top Colleges," ranking at 559th nationwide on the list of 650 created by Forbes magazine.

In August 2013, Affordable Colleges Online ranked High Point University No. 8 among 35 colleges in North Carolina based on the return on investment versus the cost of tuition and fees.

Colleges and Schools

Various schools at High Point include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Phillips School of Business, the Plato S. Wilson School of Commerce, the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, the The School of Art and Design, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Pharmacy (scheduled to open in 2017), and the School of Education.

School of Education

In August 2012, High Point University opened the School of Education. The building is 31,000-square-foot and includes smart boards, a children's book library, math and science touch screen games, a methods lab designed to look and feel like a real elementary school classroom, a Mac lab and psychology research booths.

Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab

The High Point University Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab houses technology such as a 3D motion analysis system. Faculty and student researchers can document how the body responds during each individual movement through sensors, high-speed motion capture cameras and force plates. The lab is 13, 140 square feet and opened near HPU's campus in November 2012.

Special programs

Pre-professional studies leading to medical, dental, pharmacy, or physician assistant school, engineering, forestry school, law school, theological seminary, or other professional training.

Honor societies

Order of the Lighted Lamp, Alpha Chi (both recognize academic achievement), Alpha Delta Omega (Human Relations), Beta Beta Beta (Biology), Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish), Pi Delta Phi (French), Phi Sigma Iota (Foreign Language), Lambda Pi Eta (Communications), Alpha Sigma Lambda (Adult Learners), Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science), Kappa Delta Pi (Education), Delta Mu Delta (Business), Psi Chi (Psychology), Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice), Sigma Tau Delta (International English Honors Society).

Admissions

Applications and acceptances

Based on data gathered from the incoming class of 2012, more than 8,200 applications were reviewed. There was a 61% acceptance rate and 1333 enrolled at High Point University. 78% of the freshmen class applied Early Decision or Early Action. The mid-range SAT scores for high school seniors applying to the university was 1010-1190. The mean SAT range for Critical Reading and Math was 1106 and the mean ACT Composite score for entering freshmen was 24. 80% of students were ranked in the top half of their graduating classes and the average GPA on a 4.0 scale was 3.33 unweighted..

The class of 2015 holds the record of bringing total enrollment to the highest enrollment number in High Point University's history. In the class of 2015, there are 40 National Merit Scholars, Valedictorians, Salutatorians and High School Student Government Presidents. 416 students had Advanced Placement Courses from high school, earning over 2819 credit hours. 30 students earned the distinction of Eagle Scout or Gold Award recipient during high school, 40 students had family members who attended High Point University and there are 14 languages spoken fluently among the class.

Geographic breakdown

The students in the class of 2015 represent 41 states (including Washington, DC) and 9 countries. The top ten states represented at High Point University are North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Virginia, Ohio and Florida.

Student life

Residence halls

High Point University is a residential campus by design. All High Point University students are required to reside on campus until they have reached senior status, unless they commute from their parent's permanent address. There are 19 residence halls on campus.

Dining

High Point University is a cashless campus and dining locations only accept High Point University Passport cards. There are a variety of dining options available on campus and four locations are "all you can eat." These locations include: The Cafe in Slane Student Center, Farmers Market, The Bistro and The Grille. Other popular dining locations include Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, 1924 PRIME, The Point, Subway and the Great Day Bakery.

Study abroad

High Point University offers a wide variety of study abroad programs, including semester programs at universities in Italy, Germany, France, Ecuador, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Fiji, the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, South Africa and Russia. In addition, students can participate in Faculty-in-Residence Programs in Oxford, England (Fall) and Prague, Czech Republic (Spring). Students take a full load of credits transferable toward their High Point University degree. Costs are equivalent to the High Point all-inclusive fee and most financial aid applies.

Each May, High Point University provides access to many short-term, faculty-led "Global Experience" programs. For 2013, the 'Maymester' offerings included Animal Behavior in South Africa, Spanish in Guatemala, International Marketing in China, Drawing and a Choir Tour to Italy, a Flamenco course to Spain, Interior Design in France and a Cross-Cultural Psychology tour to The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Italy. Courses vary each year.

Greek Life

Currently there are 15 Greek organizations on campus governed by the following councils:

Panhellenic Council (NPC) - Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Gamma Delta, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) - Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Zeta Phi Beta.

Interfraternity Council (IFC) - Delta Sigma Phi, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Alpha Order.

Notable alumni

• Cody Allen - Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. Drafted in the 23rd Round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft
• Elizabeth Carty - Miss North Carolina Teen USA
• Dick Culler – Major League Baseball player
• Austin Dillon – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion
• Lauch Faircloth – former United States Senator (R-NC)
• Donna Fargo – Grammy-winning country music singer/songwriter
• Issa Konare – PBL Basketball player for the Vermont Frost Heaves and plays for Senegal's national team
• Gene Littles – former ABA basketball player and NBA coach
• Jack Lucas – youngest Marine to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor
• Robert "50" Martin – professional basketball player Atlanta Vision; former And1 streetballer
• Taylor Milne – Canadian Olympian in the 1500m
• Michael Musarra – Pole Climber and Key West Enthusiast. Brotherson of Rod.
• Nido Qubein – President of High Point University, and world renowned speaker
• Arizona Reid – professional basketball player, (Geneve Devils)
• Tubby Smith – NCAA coach and assistant coach of the 2000 U.S. Men's Basketball Team
• Donald Marriott - Former Pro Tennis Player and N.C. State Tennis Champion 2003 and Tennis Pro for Donald Trump

Athletics

The High Point Panthers include HPU's 16 athletic teams that compete at the NCAA Division I level, mostly in the Big South Conference. HPU's 16 varsity sports are baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's indoor track & field, men's and women's outdoor track & field and women's volleyball.

The 2010–11 season was the most successful since High Point University joined NCAA Div. I in 1999–2000. In the fall, the women's soccer team and women's volleyball team won Big South Tournaments and the men's soccer team won the Big South regular season. In the spring, the women's lacrosse team won the National Lacrosse Conference tournament and set a record for wins by a first-year program, with 15.

High Point University also fields the following sports at the club level: men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's rowing, running, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, women's field hockey, softball, ultimate frisbee and equestrian.

Donations to High Point University's Athletic Department have exceeded $30 million. The primary athletics facilities at High Point University are the Millis Center (basketball, volleyball), Williard Stadium (baseball) and Vert Stadium (track, soccer, lacrosse). Vert Stadium was resurfaced with Mondo 3NX turf in 2011.

In January 2008, Wake Forest University associate athletic director Craig Keilitz was appointed High Point University's Director of Athletics. In May 2009, former University of North Carolina captain Scott Cherry was named head coach of men's basketball.

Publications and media

• High Point University Magazine, for alumni
• The Apogee, the university literary magazine
• Black Script
• Campus Chronicle, rated one of the Top 20 campus newspapers in the nation by the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA)
• HPU Radio, student produced and broadcast via Hpuradio.com
• Zenith, yearbook
• "HPU Sports Link", Broadcasts HPU athletics live online.

Sechrest gallery

A permanent collection of original works donated to the University by High Point Alumnus Darrell L. Sechrest. Among others, the permanent collection includes works by Christian Dietrich, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Allesandro Gherardini, El Greco, Sir George Harvey Emile Louis Picault, Elsie Popkin, and Antonio Zucchi and Angelica Kauffman. The gallery is housed within the Hayworth Fine Arts Center on the campus of High Point University.

References

1. As of June 30, 2011. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2011 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2010 to FY 2011" (PDF). 2011 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
2. High Point University © 2008
3. High Point University © 2008
4. Sizemore, F. J., ed. The Buildings and the Builders of a City: High Point, North Carolina. High Point: Hall Printing Company, 1947. p. 318-319
5. Robinson, Blackwell P., and Alexander R. Stoesen. The History of Guilford County, North Carolina, U.S.A. to 1980, A.D. Greensboro: The Guilford County Bicentennial Commission, 1980. p. 233
6. Robinson, Blackwell P., and Alexander R. Stoesen. "The History of Guilford County, North Carolina, U.S.A. To 1980, A.D." Greensboro: The Guilford County Bicentennial Commission, 1980. p. 235
7. http://web.archive.org/web/20040928204703/http://www.high-point.net/edc/2002annrpt.pdf%7C High Point Economic Development Corporation Website
8. ^ Bloomberg Businessweek, April 19, 2012, "BubbleU: High Point University."
9. The High Point Enterprise, April 26, 2012.
10. http://graduate.highpoint.edu/graduate-programs/92
11. High Point University © 2008
12. Locate Colleges on High Point University
13. US News and World Report
14. Forbes magazine
15. Affordable Colleges Online
16. High Point University Greek Life Wesbite
17. High Point University Panthers - High Point leads Sasser Cup standings after fall. Highpointpanthers.com (2010-12-01). Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
18. High Point University Panthers - HPU women's lacrosse finishes season with loss to No. 2 UNC. Highpointpanthers.com (2011-05-06). Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
19. High Point University Panthers - Club Sports at HPU. Highpointpanthers.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
20. High Point University Panthers - Vert Stadium features new Mondo 3NX artificial turf. Highpointpanthers.com (2011-04-07). Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
21. http://www.highpoint.edu/documents/Cultural-Enrichment.pdf

• McCaslin, Dr. Richard B., Remembered Be Thy Blessings: High Point University: The College Years, 1924–1991. High Point University, 1995.

External links

• High Point University official website
• "Bubble U" Boomberg Businessweek 2012 article on HPU.
• 'Club Ed: This University Is at Your Service' Chronicle of Higher Education 7-4-08
• High Point University student yearbooks on DigitalNC.org

35°58′27″N 79°59′44″W / 35.9741251°N 79.9954946°W / 35.9741251; -79.9954946

• High Point University
• Educational institutions established in 1924
• High Point, North Carolina
• Liberal arts colleges
• National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities members
• Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Universities and colleges in Guilford County, North Carolina
• Universities and colleges in North Carolina