HPU’s tremendous growth over the last decade has been fueled by continued advocacy from parents. Below, current parents share insight on how the university helped their students transform into mature adults, as well as how other parents can take advantage of the many opportunities provided by HPU.
HPU Parents: Larry and Heather Gaetano
HPU Student: Zac Gaetano, Class of 2017
Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland
Post-Graduate Success: Zac is a video animator and film producer in the Washington D.C. area where he has worked with companies such as NBC News and NBC Sports Washington.
Q. As a parent, what drew you to HPU?
A. We were lucky that it was part of the first college visit we did. There is nothing like setting foot on the HPU campus. You are instantly amazed. We had been to another school the day before, and it was great to have that immediate comparison. What impressed us immediately was an enthusiastic commitment to excellence. Some schools claim to have the commitment, but they lack the genuine enthusiasm to go out and achieve. We also were attracted to the South and the friendly people.
Q. In what ways did you watch your son grow and change during his time at HPU?
A. He grew many levels above where he was in high school in regards to his confidence and his self-sufficiency. He enjoyed going to class and got good grades. It was fun to see on a big-picture level. He advocated for himself with his professors. We like that he was willing to take the leap of going six hours away from home. Most of his high school friends decided to stay close to home, and I believe that leap made him stronger.
Q. What has been your most memorable experience as an HPU parent?
A. When I think about HPU Convocation, that is a moment that really stands out.
The parents and students sit on the Roberts Hall lawn, and you get to see the kids be together as a class for the first time. And Dr. Qubein speaks. What I remember most is at the end of the ceremony, Zac was ready for us to leave so he could become independent, which is all we could have wanted. It really set the path for so many important things ahead.
Another notable moment was when Zac had the opportunity to do an independent study during his sophomore year where he wrote, produced and directed his own short film. He and his team were shooting the Sunday after we left from Winter Family Weekend, and we got to go see him on the set and in action.
It’s one of the stories I tell for why people should send their kid to HPU. Your child gets to produce a movie during their sophomore year. It was such a springboard for him toward what he wants to do with his life, and we were glad to see that it happened so early.
Q. If you had one overarching goal for your son during his college career, what was it? Would you say he’s accomplished it?
A. I would say that our goal for Zac was that he would develop a passion that would carry him through his entire life. And he has. He knew he wanted to major in communication and started out as a Media Fellow, which got him a step ahead. Now, I can say that he definitely graduated and launched a career with passion.
Q. What was the best part of graduation?
A. We experienced his happiness, accomplishments and success with him that day. It was a bittersweet feeling to see the staff and the professors we have met at HPU and all of his fraternity brothers and the families we know. We are grateful to have shared that very special life step with all of them.