Each month, High Point University selects two students who provide extraordinary service, leadership, commitment to academics and giving in the HPU community. September’s Extraordinary Leaders, juniors Sara Kirkpatrick and Reza Moghtaderi Esfahani, not only share the title of a Presidential Scholar, but they also actively seek opportunities to better themselves both personally and professionally.
Kirkpatrick is a business administration major who is attending HPU on a plethora of academic scholarships. When she’s not fulfilling her duties as president of the Entrepreneurship Club, perfecting her sales skills as a founding member and vice president of the Selling Club, or breaking records with the HPU track & field team, she can frequently be found building relationships with freshmen as a peer mentor. With her positive and go‐getter attitude, she says her goal is to inspire at least one person a day.
“Not only has HPU helped me lay the groundwork for my future through my academic courses,” says Kirkpatrick, “but it has also provided me with the extracurricular activities that have already reaped innumerable benefits.”
From the first day of his enrollment at HPU, Moghtaderi Esfahani made a commitment to leave a positive mark on campus. He has tutored fellow students in subjects like chemistry, math and computer science; worked with faculty to develop new iOS applications; presented research at various conferences; competed in programming competitions; and served as a class representative in the Student Government Association and HPU Judicial Board. He is also an active member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and HPU’s Honors Scholar Program.
Moghtaderi defines an extraordinary education as one full of opportunities for intellectual and personal development.
“Education at HPU is supplemented by compassionate people who genuinely care about students and would go above and beyond their call of duty to create an environment to foster such continuous growth.”
Kirkpatrick’s plans for the future include working in the marketing and sales field for several years before starting her own company. Moghtaderi Esfahani plans to continue his education in the field of computer science and specialize in artificially intelligent vehicles.
As they arrive at their senior year, both Kirkpatrick and Moghtaderi recognize that their HPU experience thus far has proven invaluable for life after graduation.
“HPU gave me an experiential learning with which I ‘learned how to learn’ and provided me with the courage and confidence necessary to tackle real-world problems head-on,” says Moghtaderi Esfahani.
“High Point University offers an environment where students have a hunger to learn and the tools and resources to make it happen,” says Kirkpatrick. “The possibilities at HPU are endless and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this extraordinary family.”