HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug 21, 2011 – High Point University welcomed a record-setting freshman class of 1,300 students during the annual Orientation and Move-In Weekend, held Aug. 20-21, to start off the 2011-2012 academic year.
Throughout the weekend, freshmen took part in HPU traditions, including the formal Opening Convocation ceremony, where HPU president Dr. Nido Qubein addressed the class. Faculty and administrators gathered at this event, which signals the official start of the academic year, to welcome students and to set the stage for their education that will occur in and beyond the classroom.
Students also participated in the signing of the Honor Code, a special tradition designed to emphasize the importance of honesty and integrity.
In addition to the activities throughout the weekend, the growing student population – HPU now has 3,800 traditional undergraduate students – was welcomed with two new residence halls, the Greek Village and North College Court, and several new academic offerings. The student population will also have the chance to witness more transformations at HPU this year with the construction of the School of Education and the Townhome Community.
Since 2005, the university has invested $670 million in academic programs, faculty, scholarship, construction and student life. The campus has grown from 92 acres to 300 acres.
HPU now has more than 1,000 employees, a 143 percent increase since 2005, including 40 new faculty members that were hired for the new academic year.
“We are excited and blessed to welcome the largest freshman class in the history of High Point University to begin a new chapter in their lives,” says Qubein. “This weekend of events begins what will be a remarkable journey as they flourish in this extraordinary educational environment.”
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.℠ HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with over 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students from 51 countries and 46 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report at No. 3 among Regional Colleges in the South. Forbes.com ranks HPU in the top 7 percent among “America’s Best Colleges.” Parade Magazine lists HPU in the top 25 private schools in the nation. The university offers 50 undergraduate majors, 43 undergraduate minors and 14 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 highpoint.edu.
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Pam Haynes
Communication Specialist
336-841-9055
[email protected]