5 Ways HPU Celebrates Being a God, Family and Country School

Dozens of American flags along with an array of other patriotic imagery are displayed throughout and around the perimeter of campus representing our values of patriotism, reverence, honor and pride. Whenever President Qubein speaks on campus, he is always accompanied by American flags on the speaker’s platform. The flags are lowered to half-staff during Memorial Day, Fallen Firefighters Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Peace Officers Memorial Day and other days throughout the year out of respect for our fellow and fallen Americans. Sculptures of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other leaders in our nation’s history line the Gene and Jane Kester International Promenade. A bronze eagle sculpture stands guard outside Smith Library to symbolize the ideas of free enterprise and the ability to pursue new opportunities in America. Patriotic artwork dons the walls of classrooms and hallways. You'll even find this 30-foot wide American flag, commissioned by HPU and custom built out of plexiglass, inside the main lobby of the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. The “rippling” flag display represents how faith, family and patriotism are woven into the very fabric of High Point University. It greets visitors for every major event, including HPU's Annual Veterans Day Celebration. The structure was custom made by a company that also makes displays for Disney. It is the largest piece they’ve ever made and the only American flag they’ve created. In the future, directly below the U.S. Flag display, the High Point University letters, along with the “God. Family. Country.” letters will be forged with 3,000 pounds of steel originally used to construct the Twin Towers in New York City. The D.H. Griffin Company conducted the site restoration work after the 9/11 attacks. David Griffin, CEO of DH Griffin Company, is providing the steel from the site to be used in the manufacturing of the letters for this patriotic display.

HPU respects those who selflessly serve and sacrifice to protect our home and freedom. That’s why HPU hosts renowned veterans like Gen. Colin Powell, former Secretary of State, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and national security advisor; Army combat veteran and author Wes Moore; Navy SEAL combat veteran Robert O'Neill; former Air Force photographer Stacy Pearsall; Medal of Honor recipient and HPU alumnus Jack Lucas; and more to share their stories with the HPU family. Every year during HPU's Veteran's Day Celebration, more than 1,000 veterans, their families and HPU volunteers gather in HPU’s Millis Center for a complimentary breakfast, performances by the North Carolina Brass Band and HPU Chamber Singers, and a line-up of speakers wishing to honor those who have served. The featured speakers have included Celia Sandys, granddaughter of Winston Churchill, and Col. J. Quincy Collins Jr., a Cold War veteran and Vietnam prisoner of war. Carved on the sidewalk of High Point University’s Kester International Promenade, you’ll find a quote from Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

As Dr. Qubein frequently tells audiences around the world, “HPU is an institution that believes that with faith and with courage, there are no such things as unrealistic dreams.” The founding fathers built America on principles including personal initiative and free enterprise. That’s why students are encouraged to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. It doesn’t mean every student has to launch their own company, but rather that they focus on creating value in any venture. It’s a belief that empowers students to be innovators in and out of the classroom. Faculty and staff model generosity, service, gratitude, hard work, perseverance and joy – values that breed successful outcomes. And students inherit these values and incorporate them into their daily living.

At HPU, students learn what it takes to build a thriving democracy. Through the HPU Poll, students survey residents of North Carolina and beyond on crucial public affairs issues and report the results as a public service. Debate viewing parties on campus give students a chance to watch political history unfold before their eyes. Political science majors learn how to build a future in government administration. Many students choose to intern and volunteer with local, state and national political parties for “get out the vote” efforts, while others help host voter registration drives and provide transportation to polling sites. Through all of this, students gain a broader understanding of electoral politics, civic responsibility, voting rights, and other issues in American democracy.

Faith is a cornerstone of the HPU’s values-based education. The university was founded by the United Methodist Church in 1924 and honors its Methodist heritage. It also welcomes every student regardless of faith or viewpoint. Civility, personal responsibility and individual expression are respected and celebrated. Weekly nondenominational services have for many years brought students together in the Charles E. Hayworth Sr. Memorial Chapel. Catholic students host Mass on Sunday while Jewish students enjoy the Hillel student organization. Muslim, Hindu and students of other faiths come together in the MultiFaith Prayer and Meditation Space, which was intentionally designed to be a spiritual home that fosters religious expression.