This story is featured in the Fall 2018 edition of the HPU Magazine. Discover below how current university parents Ken and Stephanie Casper have experienced firsthand the opportunities that await students at HPU.
College is a crucial time in a young adult’s life. What campus will be the best home for them? Who will be their mentors? How can they make the most of the next four years? And while high school students must consider these questions when choosing their school, HPU knows that parents are working alongside them, diligently searching for the same answers.
Q: Why were you drawn to HPU?
A: To say we were drawn to High Point University is an understatement. It was possibly love at first sight. HPU was the first college that we visited outside of California with our first daughter, Emily. We have a lot of great schools on the West Coast, but our daughter was told by a private college counselor that she must look at HPU. It was a long way for the three of us to travel for a weekend college visit, but I look back now and can’t imagine not having gone. We saw and felt things at HPU that we hadn’t felt at other universities. Aside from being one of the most beautiful campuses we’ve ever seen, there are so many purposeful, little things that matter on the HPU campus. While standing inside the Wilson School of Commerce, our guide explained that the purpose behind the building’s design was to make the students feel as if they were walking into a Fortune 500 company every day. It was a means of preparing them for the real working world. Wow! At that moment we got it. We looked at each other and knew we wanted our daughters at HPU. It was hard to contain our excitement and enthusiasm, not wanting to overly influence our daughter’s decision. We just hoped she had the same feeling. Turns out, she did. We were ecstatic when our younger daughter chose to attend HPU as well. How can we be so lucky as to have two daughters attending HPU all the way from California?
Q: Since attending HPU, have you seen a positive change or growth in your daughters?
A: We’ve seen positive growth in both of our daughters. Discipline, academic focus, sense of independence and identity are a few positive changes that come to mind. We have seen the willingness in them to take some risks, make mistakes and learn from them. Our older daughter was an exercise science major and conducted research in the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab under one of her professors. She also joined the rowing team her freshman year, which quickly taught her discipline and focus. She has created a close bond with friends and teammates, and she’s joined many other groups and organizations around campus. She was accepted and is now currently enrolled in nursing school. Our younger daughter entered college undeclared, which is highly accepted at HPU. She took advantage of her freshman year to explore many options for career paths with the help of her freshman success coach and the resources in the Project Discovery program. She got involved right away in various activities, including club swimming. She has gained the value of a growth mindset, which is prevalent at HPU. She embraces change with a positive attitude and has realized that changes are stepping stones to her path of life experiences to come.
Q: What has been your most memorable experience as an HPU parent?
A: There are way too many memorable experiences to count, but probably the most memorable experience on campus was the first Convocation Ceremony that we attended for my older daughter. Listening to Dr. Qubein tell all of us parents that it is now time for us to go and that HPU would take good care of our kids, and it was time to let them soar like the eagle. Then, to watch the eagle soar over the crowd was a powerful representation of his sentiment. A bit of a tear jerker too. But watching both of our daughters soar has been amazing.
Q: What sets HPU apart?
A: The words “Choose to Be Extraordinary” aren’t just a motto or a slogan at HPU, but a way of life. Not for just students or faculty, but for everyone at HPU. The students hear it, see it, feel it and live it. HPU cares. They care about our children and have the desire to truly help prepare students for a life of significance, not just getting them to graduation. Everyone on the campus is vested in the students, which gives a sense of comfort and an incredible platform for academic success. HPU is a family. They not only get to know the students, but they care enough to get to know the parents.
Q: If you could offer advice to other current parents, what would it be?
A: Be involved! Encourage your child to be involved with their freshman success coach and utilize the services that are provided, such as tutoring and the Center for Student Success. Embrace the positive changes in your child. As parents, attend as many family weekends as possible and get involved. Participate in as many events as possible on campus. Don’t ever miss an opportunity to hear President Qubein speak — you will never be disappointed. Join the Parents Council and connect with other families. This is about as close to attending HPU as you will get, unless you quit your job and apply — which all HPU parents have considered a time or two!