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High Point University

Coordinates: 35°58′27″N 79°59′44″W / 35.9741251°N 79.9954946°W / 35.9741251; -79.9954946
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High Point University
File:Hpu seal lg79.jpg
MottoNil Sine Numine (Latin)
Motto in English
Nothing Without Divine Guidance
TypePrivate
Established1924
EndowmentUS$37 million[1]
PresidentNido Qubein
Academic staff
879[2]
Students4,500
Undergraduates4,200
Postgraduates319[3]
Location
United States High Point
,
North Carolina
,
U.S.
CampusSuburban
230 acre
ColorsPurple and white            
NicknamePanthers
MascotProwler the Panther
Websitewww.highpoint.edu

High Point University is a private liberal arts university in High Point, North Carolina, U.S., affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1924. In 2012, the 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.

History

Smith Library

In the mid nineteenth century, the Methodist Protestant Church, which is now part of the United Methodist Church, became active in educational pursuits in North Carolina. In 1921, after some years of consideration, the statewide governing body of the Methodist Protestant Church voted to establish a college.[4] Shortly afterwards the church accepted an offer from the citizens of High Point to contribute 60 acres (240,000 m2) of land and $100,000 to the project, placing the new school in the city of High Point.[5] 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
Nido R. QubeinJacob C. Martinson, Jr.Charles R. LuchtWendell M. PattonDennis H. CookeGideon I. HumphreysRobert M. Andrews

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.[6] Subsequent reorganization enabled the College to move forward with business and renewed expansion.

On October 9, 1991, the Board of Trustees changed the name of High Point College to High Point University to reflect post-graduate degree programs. Coinciding with the offering of graduate studies, several improvements and building additions were made to the campus,[7] and by 2004 the University's endowment increased to $40 million.

The university will celebrate its 90th anniversary on September 14, 2014.

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 108,285 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

The Kester International Promenade displays flags representing an international, diverse student body High Point University offers day and evening undergraduate degree programs (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science) and evening graduate degree programs (Master of Education in Elementary Education, Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Organization, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Science in Sports Studies). A doctoral degree in Educational Leadership began in the fall of 2012.[8][9]

In 2012, High Point University had a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1 and a student retention rate of 79%.[10] The average class size at High Point University is 17 students and no student teachers or teacher assistants instruct classes.

In 2014, High Point University received three No. 1 rankings in "America's Best Colleges," published annually by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings 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. The ranking was among a peer group of #2 John Brown University (Arkansas), #3 Meredith College (NC), #4 Asbury University (KY), and #5 Florida Southern College (FL).[11] In Forbes Magazine listing, "America's Top Colleges," High Point University was ranked 559th nationwide out of 650.[12] Forbes Magazine only selected 650 out of 4,000 universities to rank. 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.[13] The ROI list rankings note that an HPU degree prepares students to secure jobs in their field that pay well based on Payscal.com data.

Schools

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, and the School of Education. A School of Pharmacy is projected to open in 2017.

The School of Education The School of Education opened in August 2012. 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.

Academic Programs

Bonner Leader Program

The Bonner Leader Program is a part of a nationwide network of 70+ colleges and universities affiliated with and guided by the Bonner Leader Foundation. The Bonner Leader Program at High Point University began during the 2013-2014 academic year. The program is composed of six juniors and seniors and two service learning faculty. The Bonner Leader Program is a four-year responsibility. Students commit to 5–7 hours of community service each week, culminating in over 200 hours of community service during each academic year.

Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab

The High Point University Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab opened in November 2012 and contains a 3D motion analysis system for documenting how the body responds during individual movements using sensors, high-speed motion capture cameras and force plates. Exercise science is now the third largest major on campus with Biology ranking number 5.

Media Fellows Program

Each year 16 incoming communication majors are granted membership into High Point University’s Media Fellows Program through the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication. Media Fellows live in a living-learning community their freshman year and have options to travel abroad. During their college career, Media Fellows also participate in summer internships at national media companies, participate in seminars related to their major and produce a Capstone project their senior year.

Pre-Professional Programs

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

Admissions

In 2005, traditional undergraduate enrollment was 1,450. In 2013, High Point University welcomed 4,000 students to campus, an increase by 176 percent. Based on data gathered from the incoming class of 2012, approximately 8,200 applications were reviewed. There was a 61% acceptance rate, with 1,333 enrolling. 78% of the freshmen class applied Early Decision or Early Action. For the class of 2017, the mid-range SAT scores for high school seniors applying to the university was 1000 to 1200. The mean SAT range for Critical Reading and Math was 1100 and the mean ACT Composite score for entering freshmen was 24. The average GPA on a 4.0 scale was a 3.3 un-weighted. 80% of the class was made up of students who were from states outside of North Carolina, and the class represented 41 states and 20 countries.

In the class of 2017, there were 54 students who received the titles of either National Merit Scholars, valedictorians, salutatorians or high school student government presidents. 307 students had Advanced Placement Courses from high school, earning over 1272 credit hours in 23 different subjects. Several students earned the distinction of Eagle Scout or Gold Award recipient during high school, and there were 15 languages spoken fluently among the class. The top ten states represented by the class were North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Virginia, Ohio and Florida. The class also holds the record of bringing total enrollment to the highest enrollment number in High Point University's history.[14]

Student life

High Point University is a residential campus by design, with 19 residence halls in total. 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.

Cultural Enrichment Series/Faculty Film Series

The Cultural Enrichment Series features scores of world-renowned thought-leaders and speakers, including Steve Wozniak, Steve Forbes, Malcolm Gladwell, Former First Lady Laura Bush, Bill Cosby and Coca-Cola Company Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent. Guest speakers are selected to provide students and the community the opportunity to understand diverse viewpoints, positions and backgrounds.

High Point University also offers students the chance to expand their movie repertoire with the Faculty Film Series, which features faculty-selected films to be shown on campus in the Extraordinaire Cinema and Qubein Screening Room. Films included in the series connect with specific courses being taught on campus during the semester.

Greek Life

There are currently 14 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) - Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Alpha Order.[15]

Many Greek students are University Ambassadors, Division I athletes, Resident Assistants, Peer Mentors, Campus Activity Team members, and Presidential Scholars. Students at High Point University cannot become members of a Greek organization on campus until they have completed at least one semester. Recruitment begins in October and November is ends in January. Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA.

Learning Communities

Learning communities are one of the residential living options offered to first year students at High Point University. Students living in learning communities share similar interests and are supported by various faculty members on campus. Typically, 18-20 students are enrolled in learning communities and are led by a Peer Mentor. There is no additional cost for students to become a member of a learning community.

Study Abroad

In recent years, the number of study abroad programs (38) has nearly quadrupled. High Point University offers semester-ling programs to Argentina, Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain and Wales. Students can study abroad as early as their freshman year at High Point University. In addition to traditional study abroad programs, High Point University also offers Global Experience programs. These "Maymester" programs are short-term study abroad programs led by High Point University faculty members.

Honor societies

Honor societies at High Point University include the 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), and Sigma Tau Delta (International English Honors Society).

Commencement speakers

In recent years, the school has brought 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.

Notable alumni

Athletics

Main article: High Point Panthers

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. In recent years, HPU has won nine Big South Conference Championships, produced 10 Conference Players of the Year; and more than 130 HPU athletes have received Big South All-Academic Honors.

The 2010–11 season was the most successful since High Point University joined NCAA Division 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.[16] 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.[17]

The 2010-2011 women's lacrosse team success led to other accomplishments in 2013. The assistant women's lacrosse coach Lauren Norris was selected to coach the 2013 Israel National Lacrosse Team in the 2013 FIL Women's World Cup.

In the fourth round of the 2013 Major League Soccer (MLS) Supplemental Draft, the Columbus Crew picked High Point University senior midfielder Shawn Sloan.

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.[18]

In the fall of 2013, the High Point University field hockey team qualified for the national tournament in Virginia Beach with a 6-2-0 season. The club equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

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).[19]

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.

High Point University broke ground on a 31,500 square-foot facility in 2013. The facility will house a 120-seat academic center as well as athletic training rooms. The newest building on campus will also include new locker rooms and lounges for men's and women's lacrosse and soccer teams, as well as offices for coaches and support staff members.

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.

In May 2013, HPU graduates Collin Smith and Ernest Greene, were featured on ABC's World News with Diane Sawyer, Good Morning America and Fox & Friends' Christmas Special. Smith was a three-sport athlete in high school before a car accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Greene was a member of Smith's church when the accident occurred and volunteered his time throughout Smith's college career to help him get ready for school and take notes during his classes. Smith graduated from High Point University in 2013 and Greene received an honorary degree during the Commencement Ceremony.

In Fall 2013, High Point University President Nido R. Qubein made a live appearance on CNBC's "Squawk Box" to discuss the vitality of the American dream and the importance of a holistic education.

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.[20]

Amenities

Since taking office in 2005, President Nido Qubein has been adding campus buildings and creating student amenities such as concierge services, an on-campus steak house, free carwashes, and a roving ice-cream truck.[21] Businessweek reported 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 in 2009 due to the school's position as one of the most heavily-leveraged colleges in the country.[21] The university countered that it has an innovative and financially sound plan for the future.[22] The U.S. Department of Education's "financial responsibility" score for the 2012 and 2013 fiscal year has High Point University scoring the highest possible score of 3, putting the university ahead of Elon University, Duke University and Davidson.[23]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.[21] 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.[21]

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. ^ http://graduate.highpoint.edu/graduate-programs/92
  9. ^ High Point University © 2008
  10. ^ Locate Colleges on High Point University
  11. ^ US News and World Report
  12. ^ Forbes magazine
  13. ^ Affordable Colleges Online
  14. ^ [http://www.highpoint.edu/admissions/freshmen-class-profile/ www.highpoint.edu |Freshman Class Profile - Class of 2017
  15. ^ High Point University Greek Life Wesbite
  16. ^ High Point University Panthers - High Point leads Sasser Cup standings after fall. Highpointpanthers.com (2010-12-01). Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ High Point University Panthers - Club Sports at HPU. Highpointpanthers.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  19. ^ High Point University Panthers - Vert Stadium features new Mondo 3NX artificial turf. Highpointpanthers.com (2011-04-07). Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  20. ^ http://www.highpoint.edu/documents/Cultural-Enrichment.pdf
  21. ^ a b c d Bloomberg Businessweek, April 19, 2012, "BubbleU: High Point University."
  22. ^ The High Point Enterprise, April 26, 2012.
  23. ^ Student Aid, February 28, 2014
  • McCaslin, Dr. Richard B., Remembered Be Thy Blessings: High Point University: The College Years, 1924–1991. High Point University, 1995.

External links

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

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