With another successful commencement behind us, recent High Point University graduates are preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other esteemed organizations thanks to their journey at HPU. Here’s a glimpse of one extraordinary senior from the Class of 2018:
Name: Blair Thurman
Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia
Major: Thurman graduated with a B.A. in graphic design and a minor in writing.
Post-graduation plans: As Communication and Administrative Assistant at Cave Spring United Methodist Church in Roanoke, Virginia, Thurman works with the communication director and the senior pastor to assist the church office in communicating and managing church programs for the church congregation. She also works closely with the congregation and church members in managing volunteer positions and making sure that operations for church programs are successful.
How HPU helped you get there: “HPU has helped me in gain confidence about myself and my abilities. Over the course of my education, I have lacked some confidence in the work that I produce. Over the course of the last four years the faculty and staff at HPU have encouraged me and pushed me in the right direct to be confident in myself. I now know that whatever task I have ahead of me I have everything I need to accomplish the task within myself. The Career and Professional Development office helped me create a successful resume, and my advisor worked with me over the course of several weeks to really highlight my strengths and knowledge within my resume.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “I had two mentors at HPU that made a huge impact on me. First was my success coach, Hilah Cook. She was always there for me in ways that I did not I even know I needed. If I had any questions or doubts, she was always open to talk and help me work it out. She became like my HPU mom, to be honest. She was my number one cheerleader, helping me find my way freshman year and beyond. During my years at HPU, I had a lot of really hard life moments that were sometimes difficult to deal with. Rev. Preston Davis was always there for me during those moments. Along with helping me spiritually, he always reminded me that whatever life threw at me, I could handle it and would always come out of it the winner. Without Coach Cook and Rev. Davis, I truly do not know what I would do and I will forever be thankful for them.”
Most impactful moment at HPU: “I never had one specific impactful moment. All my moments at HPU were impactful because I knew that they all were once-in-a-life-time moments. I will never have a more memorable or precious time in my life again as I did at HPU.”
Advice for underclassmen: “My advice for underclassmen is to not just take a job to have a job. Find a job doing something that you love and know that will bring enjoyment to your life in some way.”