HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 9, 2017 – High Point University welcomed more than 1,600 alumni and guests for Homecoming Weekend 2017 on Oct. 6-8. Alumni enjoyed a variety of longstanding traditions, as well as new events at their alma mater, which provided an economic boost to the city of High Point.
Homecoming Weekend, previously celebrated as Alumni Weekend, is one of many events held throughout the year that attract visitors and result in a major economic boost for the city of High Point. The High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the economic impact of this year’s event will be more than a quarter of a million dollars.
The weekend included networking opportunities, class reunions, athletic events and student performances, as well as the presentation of the Homecoming Court. The annual awards banquet also recognized the work and service of 13 outstanding alumni:
Douglas S. Witcher, ‘77, was awarded Alumnus of the Year. Witcher graduated from HPU with a degree in education. He then launched his career in the insurance industry. In 1994, he founded Triad based Smart Choice, which has grown to become a major insurance network serving more than 5,800 agencies in 42 states.
Witcher is an avid supporter of many different causes in the community, including serving on the boards and organizations of High Point Regional Hospital, North Carolina State University, High Point Chamber of Commerce, High Point Community Foundation, Hospice of the Piedmont, the United Way of Greater High Point and more. He currently serves on the HPU Board of Trustees, as well as the development committee chair and executive committee member at HPU.
Richard P. Budd, ‘63, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Budd, who graduated from HPU with a bachelor’s in business administration, has been successful as an entrepreneur and community leader. He has served as the president, CEO and currently chairman emeritus of The Budd Group and the Budd Seed, both based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Budd is a life member of HPU’s Board of Trustees, and has served as chairman for the board. He has also served in many capacities on a number of boards and organizations, including serving as director, committee member and trustee for the YMCA, Wake Forest University Medical Center Board of Visitors, Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce and more. In 1992, Budd received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by former North Carolina Governor Jim Martin.
MJ Hall, PhD, ’69, was awarded the Alumni Service Award. Hall graduated from HPU with a bachelor’s degree (ABT), and also earned a MEd from the University of Maryland College Park, an MBA from Long Island University, as well as a doctoral degree in educational leadership from George Mason University.
Hall, a skilled WorkLearn strategist and performance coach, has served as the co-director and content manager for the ATD Forum (Association for Talent Development), since 2007 and has vast career experiences including working for the United States Military Academy, school teacher overseas as part of the Department of Defense, keynote speaker and author.
Hall’s volunteer work includes working with doctoral students at HPU, serving on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Organizational and Educational Leadership at Gardner-Webb University, and contributing to service projects as part of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her dedication to success has earned her many accolades; Hall is the recipient of service and achievement awards from the Department of Defense, the United States Army, the Office of the President and more.
The 10 Under 10 award winners were evaluated on their outstanding achievements in their field of endeavor, their demonstrated leadership and their service to HPU and their communities. The awards banquet recognized the following:
– Cody Allen ’11, Relief Pitcher, Cleveland Indians
– Paige Cornetet ’11, Owner and Founder, Millennial Guru
– Jazmin Cormartie ’13, doctoral student in dentistry, East Carolina University
– Eric Gerbert ’11, Tax Attorney, Tax Defense Network, and Co-Founder, First Coast Law, LLC
– Victoria B. Hensley ’15, Hayden-Harman Foundation
– Matt Jakubowski ’14, Marketing Executive, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
– Josh Lambeth ’07, Community Relations Representative, Pruitt Health
– Corey Law ’13, Harlem Globetrotters
– Claudia Mota ’11, Private Brand Marketing, Lowes Foods, and MBA student at Wake Forest University
– Dr. Meg Procaccini ’12, Chiropractic Physician, AFC Physical Medicine & Chiropractic Centers