HPU’s newest cohort of students represents a wide variety of academic achievement, service, backgrounds, cultures and geographic locations. Elizabeth O’Brien is one member of the Class of 2020. Below, discover how she plans to make the most out of her time at HPU:
Name: Elizabeth O’Brien
Hometown: Aberdeen, North Carolina
High school attended: Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, North Carolina
Accomplishments: O’Brien has volunteered with the nonprofit Military Missions In Action for more than five years. Three years ago, she created a program called Military Child Access and Assistance Program, which is dedicated to assisting disabled military children both socially and physically, and has raised $30,000 for the cause. O’Brien was recently awarded the inaugural Booz Allen Hamilton Innovation Award in partnership with Operation Homefront’s Military Child of the Year. With the award, she won $5,000 along with the opportunity to work with Booz Allen Hamilton – a strategy and technology consulting firm in Washington D.C. – to further her platform.
O’Brien has also received the Bronze and Gold Presidential Service awards; the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Service Award; the Certificate of Prudential Spirit of Community Award; and a President’s Volunteer Service Award on behalf of President Obama. In high school, she played club and varsity lacrosse, and was a member of the National Honors Society and French Club. She has lived in five different states as a military child.
Major: Elementary Education
Why you chose HPU: “When I first stepped on campus it felt like home. I was comfortable and could see myself excelling in the environment that has been created here at HPU. High Point could not have been a more perfect match for me!”
What you’re looking forward to at HPU: “I am so excited to meet new people and be able to experience new things.”