HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 18, 2018 – High Point University President Nido Qubein and HPU’s Student Government Association announced that they will raise funds for the American Red Cross to assist those affected by Hurricane Florence in eastern North Carolina. Already, the university has raised $15,000. Anyone can contribute to the efforts here.
“While our campus has remained open with normal operations to keep students safe and secure, our hearts are heavy for those who are now recovering,” says HPU President Nido Qubein. “HPU is a values-based institution, and we pray our efforts will assist people in eastern North Carolina and places beyond who are suffering from this storm.”
The HPU campus remained open to care for students throughout the storm. With more than 90 percent of students living on campus, HPU secured an additional 18,000 gallons of water, ensured all generators were working properly and secured outdoor furniture. A chapel service in the Charles E. Hayworth Memorial Chapel was provided on Sunday morning, where President Qubein and First Lady Mariana Qubein joined students, staff and faculty in prayer for those affected by the storm, including the few students whose homes were in the affected area.
“I have a friend who graduated from HPU in May who teaches at a school in Wilmington,” says Tucker Wilson, HPU’s SGA service chair. “She was evacuated from her home last week, and when I heard that, it not only hit home for me, but for our HPU community. This is our alumna. How can we help?”
HPU’s SGA started thinking of ways to help last week before the storm made landfall.
“I’m from Vermont, so not only was I scared, but I heard this was going to be the biggest storm our state has ever seen,” says Lyndsey Clos, SGA president. “I immediately thought, ‘What can we do to help the people affected?’ We had elections for our freshman class and the new president had already expressed interest in coordinating some sort of community service project.”
The Hurricane Florence fundraising efforts are reflective of the 100,000 hours of annual service that the HPU family contributes each year.
Last week, HPU students donated more than 140 pints of blood during a blood drive held on campus, a donation that could help more than 400 people. The blood drive is held every fall, but during a time such as this, the campus is reminded of how important it is to give.