The Best of 2021: An HPU Year in Review

After lots of anticipation, the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center and Jana and Ken Kahn Hotel, a mammoth complex on the HPU campus, opened its doors in September with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Less than two months later, the arena witnessed its first Panther win when HPU Men's Basketball stormed the court and kicked off their historic season in front of a packed arena audience.

A decade of distinction! For the 10th consecutive year, High Point University has been named No. 1 Best Regional College in the South by U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges.” HPU has also been named No. 1 Most Innovative for the seventh consecutive year.

HPU’s list of global leaders expanded X5 this year. High Point University welcomed: - Russell Weiner, Domino's COO and president and HPU's Corporate Executive in Residence - John Maxwell, bestselling author, leadership expert and HPU’s Executive Coach in Residence - Dee Ann Turner, former vice president of talent at Chick-fil-A and HPU's Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence - William “Bill” E. Kennard, current chairman of At&T's Board of Directors, former U.S. ambassador and chairman of the FCC, and HPU's Global Leader in Residence - Ben Owen III, American studio potter and HPU's Artist in Residence Throughout the year, students also enjoyed one-on-one moments with John Maxwell, Dee Ann Turner, Russell Weiner and industry leaders like Cynt Marshall, Dallas Mavericks CEO and HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence; Dean Cain, famed actor, producer, television producer and HPU’s Actor in Residence; plus more! Looking ahead, students can get excited for days spent with Marc Randolph, Netflix co-founder and HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence, who is back on campus Jan. 30-31 and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence, who returns to campus Feb. 13-14.

February found success. Research reports that HPU’s Class of 2020 earned a 97% career or graduate school placement within six months of graduation. Even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the university remained committed to students’ success after graduation.

HPU announced that Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND snacks, will deliver the Class of 2022 Commencement address in the spring. Lubetzky joins an extraordinary lineup of past Commencement speakers that include including Cynt Marshall, CEO of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and HPU Sports Executive In Residence; Dr. Michio Kaku, physicist and co-founder of String Field Theory; Josh Groban, internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and actor; Wolf Blitzer, CNN’s lead political anchor and anchor of “The Situation Room”; Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state; Gen. Colin Powell, former secretary of state, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and national security advisor; Laura Bush, former first lady; Clarence Thomas, supreme court justice; Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and HPU’s Innovator in Residence; Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor; Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan; Dr. Buzz Aldrin, NASA astronaut; and Muhtar Kent, CEO of the Coca-Cola Company. He will deliver his address to graduates and their families on May 7, 2022. While Commencement is a private event for HPU graduates and their family members, it will be streamed live online at www.highpoint.edu/live.

Giving back begins your first day at Hight Point University. HPU’s freshman class experienced HPU's values-based education in action! As a team building experience, students worked through the challenge of assembling 180 bicycles and then surprised local elementary students from Montlieu Academy by gifting them the bikes.

Throughout the year, HPU hosted concerts with famous bands and artists such as Train, who performed during Family Weekend and the grand opening of the Qubein Arena. Students also enjoyed the annual fall concert on Roberts Hall Lawn, featuring performances by Bryce Vine and Cassadee Pope.

It was a historic year for HPU Athletics as Women’s Basketball, Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Lacrosse, Volleyball, and Track and Field punched their tickets to their respective NCAA Tournaments

Local first responders and frontline workers received a warm “thank you” from the HPU family at a drive-through dinner event. Law enforcement, hospital staff, public health workers and more were invited to campus where they received complimentary food, a T-shirt and messages of gratitude from HPU students who volunteered.

HPU values veterans and their service to our country. More than 1,200 veterans and their families arrived to campus for the annual HPU Veterans Day Celebration in November. The celebration, made possible by 100 student, faculty and staff volunteers, included a complimentary breakfast, a patriotic salute, the revealing of two track chairs that HPU fraternity Kappa Alpha raised $40,000 to purchase, and much more.

Christmas came early for students involved in the production of HPU’s “A Serenade for Shepherds” which was filmed on HPU’s campus in October. The special features scripture readings, prayers and performances by members of the High Point University community and students. “A Serenade for Shepherds” was aired on ABC affiliated stations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.