Ashley Furniture Founder Honors President Qubein with Bronze Sculpture

HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 19, 2021 – Dr. Ron Wanek, the founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture, commissioned and presented a special sculpture to honor the life and legacy of High Point University President Dr. Nido R. Qubein.

“I first met Dr. Qubein in 2005 at an American Furniture Manufacturers meeting when he was a speaker, and I can’t tell you how impressed I was,” said Wanek. “He has been doing a wonderful job with this university. Nido Qubein has become a leader in U.S. education by combining educational opportunities while stimulating economic growth. This leadership deserves special recognition.”

The bronze sculpture made in his likeness was unveiled at the grand opening of the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center on Sept. 24.

The sculpture now resides in the lobby of the arena for guests to see as they enter.

Dr. Wanek is the chairman of Ashley Furniture, the largest furniture manufacturer in the world. The Wanek family has made countless donations and contributions to High Point University, the local community and more throughout their lives. In 2013, the R.G. Wanek Center was named in Ron Wanek’s honor, and the Wanek Center of Natural Sciences is named in honor of Ron’s son, Todd. Ron and his wife, Joyce, generously gifted the “Mentoring-Year 2000” sculpture to HPU in October 2019, which stands outside the Stout School of Education.