HIGH POINT, N.C., April 5, 2012 – High Point University students had the chance to hear from U.S. Representative Howard Coble on April 4 thanks to a new university initiative called HPU Democracy USA.
During his visit, Coble took the opportunity to talk about issues that were facing young Americans, as well as how he came to be North Carolina’s longest-serving Republican U.S. congressman.
He told students that some of the major issues they face in their future are economic recovery, ending the war in Afghanistan and finding new, environmentally friendly methods to drill for oil.
He also praised the two-party system, saying that though he was raised in a Democratic home, he’s proud of his career as a Republican because “competition breeds success.”
Students invited Coble to campus to be a part of the initiative that will introduce them to various aspects of the presidential election and civic engagement throughout the next year, such as attending the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
“We’re going to be in the bull’s-eye of the national news when the Democratic Convention comes to Charlotte,” he told students. “Read anything that’s pertinent and read as many newspapers as you can to stay current this year. I commend you for your interest in the national conventions.”
The HPU Democracy USA project is an interdisciplinary and experiential learning exercise that draws together more than 20 faculty, nine courses and 300 students with civic engagement opportunities that range from voter registration drives to preparing students to attending the national conventions. It will bring more political and community leaders to campus and offer opportunities off campus for students to become involved in public affairs issues.
Dr. Joe Blosser, director of service learning at HPU, is one of the faculty members spearheading the project, and he recently received a $50,000 Think Big grant from the university to fund these efforts. He says the project is a robust response to the national call to action commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education. It calls on colleges and universities to not only prepare students for careers and professional schools, but also to become active participants in a vibrant democracy.
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 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. Parade Magazine lists HPU in the top 25 private schools in the nation. HPU was selected in the 2010-2011 list of “Colleges of Distinction,” as well as one of the top green schools in the country by the Sierra Club. The university offers 44 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors and 10 graduate degree programs. It 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]