This story is featured in the Spring 2019 edition of the HPU Magazine. Here’s a glimpse of one family with three generations of HPU graduates.
Being family isn’t the only tie that binds Richard, Joe, Patrick and Alex Budd.
They have High Point University purple in their veins, too. These four HPU graduates represent three generations and multiple branches of the Budd family.
There are so many multi-generational families who appreciate the value of HPU’s education across the years. Below, get to know one of those families, as well as some of HPU’s biggest advocates.
Richard Budd, ’63
Richard P. Budd graduated from HPU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and went on to become a successful entrepreneur and community leader. He has served as the president, CEO and currently serves as chairman emeritus of The Budd
Group and Budd Seed, both based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He married his wife, Sylvia, in 1961 while he was a student at HPU.
Budd joined the HPU Board of Trustees in 1982, served as chair from 2000-2005, and chaired the search committee that brought HPU President Nido Qubein to the university in 2005. Richard and Sylvia established the Richard P. and Sylvia Budd Endowed Scholarship to support students, giving preference to communication or business majors. Today, Richard is a lifetime member of HPU’s Board of Trustees.
He has also served in many capacities on a number of boards and organizations, such as serving as director, committee member and trustee for the YMCA. In 1992, Budd received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by former North Carolina Gov. Jim Martin.
“As an HPU student, my life took a positive turn,” he says. “The professors mentored me, and I found my love for business. I started what is now The Budd Group immediately after graduation, and I have been there 55 years. The caring development of each student has always been the trademark of HPU.”
Joe Budd, ’83
Joe Budd, like his father, Richard, graduated from HPU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He went on to receive his MBA from Wake Forest University in 1985 before joining the family business, The Budd Group, working in various roles in the Southeast. He is currently CEO and chairman of The Budd Group. Since graduating, he has remained connected to HPU and currently serves on the Board of Visitors. In honor of their family legacy, Joe has supported HPU through his gifts to the Richard P. and Sylvia Budd Endowed Scholarship.
“HPU instilled in me the values of hard work, giving back to the communities in which we work, and putting others before yourself. I am grateful for my long-term relationship with HPU.”
Patrick Budd, ’13
Patrick Budd, the nephew of Richard Budd, graduated from HPU with degrees in communication and political science. After
graduating, he spent five years with Richard Childress Racing on the communications team. Most recently, he joined Old Dominion Freight Line’s marketing team as the community and public relations representative.
Patrick serves as a member of the HPU Alumni Board of Directors, and he has served two terms on the Young Alumni Committee. He is also a member of the Young Alumni President’s Circle Donors and the League of Loyal Alumni.
“HPU completely transformed my life from the minute I stepped on campus,” he says. “Culturally, I made my best friends and learned to seek meaningful relationships with colleagues, professors and faculty — most of whom I’m still connected to. Professionally, my post-graduate jobs at both Richard Childress Racing and Old Dominion Freight Line are because of relationships I made through HPU. HPU is not just a place to study. It’s a place for a transformative educational experience, and I am a living example.”
Alex Budd, ’18
Alex Budd, the grandson of Richard Budd and son of Joe Budd, graduated with his bachelor’s degree from HPU in May 2018. He is currently getting his MBA at HPU while working as a project manager for the family business, The Budd Group. While pursuing his undergraduate degree at HPU, Alex was involved in many ways on campus, especially as a Business School Peer Facilitator, a mentorship program for incoming students. He is a member of the League of Loyal Alumni, a society that honors alumni who have supported HPU with gifts for three or more consecutive years.
“HPU has taught me the values of integrity, hard work and making sure that you give back to the community,” he says. “In addition to my classwork, my main focus at HPU was my involvement as a Business School Peer Facilitator. Mentoring freshman business students was a very rewarding experience. I hope to have a lifelong relationship with HPU as they have given me the values and tools to be successful in whatever I pursue.”