June has come and gone but High Point University students started their summer breaks on a strong note.
This month, twenty students were welcomed into the Physician Assistant program, a group of incoming freshmen moved onto campus for Summer Experience, and others made it back into the classroom for Summer Session I.
Each month our students and alumni are continuing to do extraordinary things. As a recap, here are the top 5 stories from our website that have been viewed, shared and talked about the most during the month of June:
1. We’re on TV
Each year, NBC Nightly News does a commencement roundup, and High Point University made the 2015 cut! HPU’s commencement speaker Tom Brokaw inspired millions of viewers: “Don’t be afraid to be disruptive; find new ways to do the conventional and the useful; and don’t run from big and bold challenges.”
Want to see if you can spot your friends and family in the national footage?
2. We Proudly Present the Class of 2015
Their parents gave them roots, but High Point University gave them wings.
On May 9, 2015, nearly 1,000 graduates walked across the stage and received their long-awaited diplomas. Since then, our newest alumni have started prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, and top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs.
3. The Official White Coat Ceremony
On June 7, 2015, High Point University’s Physician Assistant Studies Program welcomed its inaugural cohort of students at the university’s first-ever White Coat Ceremony.
“This is a tangible symbol of the extraordinary journey they have embarked upon,” says Dr. Linda Sekhon, founding chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.
The white coat, worn by medical professionals, is often seen as a symbol of authority, purity, professionalism, caring and trust.
Learn More About This Special Day
4. She’s Working with Wendy Williams
This summer, junior Emily Anderson is living in NYC and rubbing shoulders with some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities.
The electronic media major is preparing for a future career as a producer or stage manager while serving as a production assistant with “The Wendy Williams Show.”
“I love the thrill of the tense environment throughout the full hour it takes to produce the show,” says Anderson. “It’s amazing to see these people work together like a well oiled machine that wouldn’t function if even one crew member was missing.”
5. The Journey to PA-C
Twenty HPU Physician Assistant students are now a little like superheroes. They have their own cape – but it’s really their new white coat.
More than 800 students applied but they were chosen. These students have started the journey (which will span 27 months over 7 continuous semesters) to become a certified Physician Assistant.
Want to learn more about three of our students?
In Case You Missed It
We have so much good news to share at High Point University, and we want to be sure that you didn’t miss out on any of it! Browse through the “must-read” stories highlighted below to dig a little deeper into the lives of the extraordinary HPU Family.
Five Years In a Row
For the 5th consecutive year, High Point University has been named to the 2015-16 Colleges of Distinction list, a unique college guide that honors institutions with an innovative, teacher-centered undergraduate education and a strong record of preparing graduates for real-world success! Read more about the College of Distinction honor.
So Long But Not Goodbye
We honored five retiring faculty and staff members during our annual Retirement Recognition Luncheon. Dr. Allen Goedeke, Dr. Elizabeth Dull, Dr. Patrick Haun, Dr. Carole Head and Dr. Gerald Smith have given 148 years of combined service to the university and will be missed!
We Aren’t Being Dramatic
The HPU theatre program was named the No. 1 “underrated” theatre college in the Mid-Atlantic Region by OnStage! Read more about this honor.
I’m Standing in the Hall of Fame
Earlier this month more than 325 people gathered in Millis Athletic Center to honor eight extraordinary alumni who made incredible athletic accomplishments at High Point University. This inaugural class was welcomed into the High Point University Athletics Hall of Fame. Learn more about the Hall of Famers.
Up, Up and Away!
Three HPU freshmen (Graham Rich, Max Maurer and Drew Bennett) were part of a team of local scientists and computer programmers who recently launched a balloon to the edge of space. While soaring in the sky, a network of mini computers and cameras captured photos and videos of the Earth’s horizon while sensors collected useful information about the atmosphere and the balloon’s flight pattern. Read more about this undergraduate research project.