Cosby Inspires HPU Graduates

HIGH POINT, N.C., May 5, 2007– On Saturday morning, a special energy permeated the High Point University campus as graduates, families and friends of the university gathered for commencement with American icon Bill Cosby. While a light mist threatened to move the festivities indoors, the weather couldn't dampen the spirits of the nearly 8,000 people gathered on the front lawn of Roberts Hall. The ceremony continued outside, and as the 9 a.m. processional began, almost 700 graduates began their march towards the lawn in front of Roberts Hall.

Bill Cosby, the man many of the students watched during their childhood as Dr. Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show, gave the commencement address. Wearing an HPU baseball cap with a commencement tassel attached, Cosby kept the crowd laughing with anecdotes from his childhood and reflections from his life. In a lighter moment, he advised graduates to simply "get a job." On a more serious note, he encouraged graduates to follow their dream and to be responsible.

Cosby joins the elite ranks of the university’s recent commencement speakers; the past two years have brought the American-born Queen Noor of Jordan, and Republican presidential candidate and former mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani.

Of the graduates:

• Approximately 614 received bachelor's degrees, and 84 received master's degrees.

• Approximately 212 received bachelor's of arts degrees; 402 bachelor's of science.

• Four students graduated with a double-degree.

Dr. Kelly Sapp, Associate Professor of Biology and Chair of the Biology Department, was honored with the Meredith Clark Slane Distinguished Teacher-Service Award. Every year one faculty recipient is chosen whose excellence as a mentor and friend goes unrivaled by all others. A committee selects the award recipient each year after reviewing the nominations from students and staff.

Dr. Kelli Sapp came to High Point University in 1998 as Assistant Professor of Biology. In 2005, she was awarded tenure and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. Dr. Sapp was named Chair of the Biology Department in 2002.

Dr. Sapp is known as an outstanding teacher and mentor. She has high expectations and demands maturity and responsibility in all of her students. One of Dr. Sapp's former students stated: "Dr. Sapp is by far the best teacher I have ever known. Her lectures were brimming to capacity with information, yet she has an extremely organized mind that is very apparent in her delivery. I often found myself feverishly taking notes, questions coming to mind that were answered in her next sentence. She is a highly efficient teaching machine."

A colleague writes: "Dr. Sapp has a deep commitment to biology majors to help them achieve their professional goals. As faculty sponsor of the Biology Majors Club, she works closely with the officers in helping them to organize meetings and functions including exciting field trips, securing interesting speakers, exposing students to cutting-edge research.

A colleague from another academic department says: "Our proudest claim in the biology, chemistry, computer science and mathematics departments is that HPU will get each student into the graduate or professional school of his or her choice! Dr. Sapp, with her intellectual brilliance, her extraordinary teaching skills, and overwhelming psychic energy, leads from in front in these matters!"

For the first time, HPU has also recognized a member of the faculty with the Ridenhour Scholarly and Professional Achievement Award. This first annual award went to Dr. Ed Piacentino, Professor of English. Ed Piacentino came to High Point University in 1973 with degrees from Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Since the start of his career, he has been an active scholar of American literature. Dr. Piacentino has published more than 115 articles and reviews since his appointment to High Point University. Southern Literature and American Humor remain his two most prolific topics. In one year, 2006, he published eight articles and a book, and made two conference presentations; he closed out the year with three articles and two books that are forthcoming, another article currently under review. And another book has already caught the attention of a publisher.

In addition to his own publications, Dr. Piacentino is also the co-editor of the Society for the Study of Southern Literature online bibliography, the Associate (and soon to be Editor) of Studies in American Humor, and has served on the leadership boards for the American Humor Studies Association and the Study of Southern Literature. Studies in American Humor is known as the leading scholarly publication in that field. The author of one of Dr. Piacentino’s nomination letters states that Dr Piacentino is "one of the two most prominent scholars in the area of southern literary studies."

It is fitting that the first Ruth Ridenhour Scholarly and Professional Achievement Award be awarded to this outstanding scholar, esteemed colleague, and revered teacher – indeed, the man whose very life reflects scholarship and professional achievement.

The Graduation Ceremony capped off the weekend of festivities that began on Friday with the annual commencement luncheon; Dr. Nido R. Qubein served as the keynote speaker at this event. Senior Josh Faucette, a former SGA president, university ambassador, resident assistant and member of Theta Chi Fraternity, was recognized as the Senior of the Year. "Josh came to High Point because he felt like the environment would be a nurturing one," said Roger Clodfelter, HPU's Director of WOW! "I'm proud of Josh because he came here to grow and indeed he has flourished. High Point University played a part in the development of an outstanding young man, and we are proud of that." ?
Later that night, after an intensive graduation practice, the graduates and their families heard from Dr. Sam Wells, Dean of the Chapel at Duke University, during the baccalaureate sermon held at 6 p.m. at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.

"High Point University is going to miss all of its graduating seniors; they have made a profound impact on the campus over their four years. They have proven that they are indeed extraordinary," Qubein stated.

At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in a fun environment with caring people. HPU is a liberal arts institution with approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 50 countries and 44 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report 15th among comprehensive universities in the South and in the top 100 nationally. The university offers 68 undergraduate majors, 33 minors and seven graduate-degree programs. It is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference.


CONTACT
Kay Meekins
Director of Communication
336-888-6350