HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 24, 2009 – On Saturday, Aug. 22, High Point University welcomed a record 1,030 incoming freshmen to campus with the annual Opening Convocation at the Millis Athletic Convocation Center. The Convocation, which celebrated the official beginning of the 2009-10 academic year, brought together faculty and administration, as well as the new students.
HPU is opening its 2009-10 academic year with impressive growth. In all, 1,080 new students ? including the 1,030 freshmen and 50 transfers ? are contributing to 18 percent growth over last year. Total enrollment has grown by 15 percent over last year and has grown 100 percent over 2005. SAT scores have also grown another nine points on average for entering freshmen this year.
Opening Convocation signals the official beginning of the academic year. A long-standing tradition at HPU, Convocation sets the stage for students? education. With the ceremony, the incoming class begins an exciting educational journey – a learning process that occurs in and beyond the classroom – culminating in the completion of degree requirements and the traditional Commencement ceremony.
Dr. Dennis Carroll, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presided over the Convocation ceremony. Speakers at the event included Andrew Realon, student body president; Andy Bills, vice president for enrollment, who presented the class of 2013; and Dr. Nido Qubein, president of HPU, who gave the Convocation address.
Dr. Hal Warlick, dean of the chapel, provided the invocation, and Dr. Carole Stoneking, dean of the David R. Hayworth College of Arts and Sciences, provided the benediction. Music for the event was provided by the Jamestown Pipes and Drums and the Market Street Brass. More than 2,500 people attended the Convocation ceremony.
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in a fun environment with caring people. HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with 3,700 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 No. 5 among comprehensive universities in the South and No. 1 in its category among up-and-coming schools. Forbes.com ranks HPU in the top 6 percent among “America’s Best Colleges.” HPU was included in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For” 2009 listings. The university offers 68 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate 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. Visit High Point University on the Web at www.highpoint.edu.
Chris DudleyVice President for [email protected]