HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 3, 2017 – Back by popular demand, Homecoming has returned to High Point University. Homecoming Weekend 2017, previously celebrated as Alumni Weekend, will be held Oct. 6-8 and pairs new events with many longstanding traditions.
Homecoming Weekend, which is expected to bring thousands of alumni and guests, 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.
“Homecoming Weekend is a ‘can’t miss’ event for HPU alumni and students alike,” says Hayley Harris, Director of Alumni Engagement at HPU. “For one weekend each year, campus is filled with generations of High Point Panthers, celebrating and sharing tradition with their families, while reminiscing on fond memories with their friends. HPU eagerly anticipates the arrival of alumni each year, excited to welcome them back home. One of the many highlights of the weekend is the Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception, where we are able to honor and celebrate 13 of our outstanding alumni.”
The annual Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 in Congdon Hall. Hosted by the Alumni Association, the banquet honors individuals who have not only made outstanding accomplishments, but demonstrate a commitment to their communities, as well as High Point University.
The banquet will honor the following individuals:
Douglas S. Witcher, ‘77, will be 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, will be 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, will be 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 banquet also recognizes 10 distinguished alumni who have graduated less than 10 years ago with the Ten under Ten Young Alumni Award. These recipients have demonstrated leadership and service to HPU and their communities:
– Cody Allen ‘11
– Paige Cornetet ‘11
– Jazmin Cormartie ‘13
– Eric Gerbert ‘11
– Victoria B. Hensley ‘15
– Matt Jakubowski ‘14
– Josh Lambeth ‘07
– Corey Law ‘13
– Claudia Mota ‘11
– Dr. Meg Procaccini ‘12
In addition to the award’s ceremony, Homecoming Weekend will feature new events, such as the Homecoming Dance for students, as well as the presenting of the Homecoming Court at the Men’s Lacrosse Game, to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 7 at Vert Stadium.
Other events during the weekend include campus tours and open houses, networking events, class reunions, and student performances. To register for the weekend and for a full schedule and more details, HPU alumni may visit www.highpoint.edu/homecoming.