Steve and Lee Nagel have pledged $250,000 to High Point University to establish a scholarship to support students with financial needs and provide support for the HPU Fund for Extraordinary Education. Pictured from left to right is Sara Nagel, HPU sophomore Drew Nagel, and their parents, Lee and Steve Nagel.
HIGH POINT, N.C., June 8, 2023 – Steve and Lee Nagel have pledged $250,000 to High Point University to establish the Nagel Family Endowed Scholarship to support students with financial needs and provide support for the HPU Fund for Extraordinary Education.
“The Nagel family demonstrates their dedication to support deserving students who need financial assistance,” said HPU President Nido R. Qubein. “They are passionate about HPU’s God, family and country values, and our efforts to plant seeds of greatness for leaders of tomorrow.”
Steve Nagel has devoted his career as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch/Bank of America. He has been named to Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisors, Financial Times’ Top 400 Financial Advisors and Baron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors. A highlight of his career was receiving the Bank of America Corporation’s David Brady Community Service Award in 2013.
Lee Nagel is a retired fourth-grade teacher and cancer survivor. She has served on many boards focused on cancer fundraising in the Dallas, Texas, area. For many years the family had its own foundation and raised more than $1.5 million that was donated to the fight against cancer. They focused their efforts on the new cancer unit at Children’s Hospital, Heroes for Children, Cook Children’s and Livestrong. The family also supports local fundraising efforts on behalf of students who need assistance.
Steve and Lee Nagel are the parents of Drew Nagel, a rising sophomore at HPU, and Sara Nagel, a senior at the University of Oklahoma.
“When our son, Drew, decided to attend HPU we were excited for many reasons,” said Steve Nagel. “One big reason was the attitude that the school takes toward education. HPU sees the value in not just the classroom part, but also in what happens after the classroom. Drew enjoys learning. He asks questions and is inquisitive. His classes have challenged him to think. He is happy with the values HPU represents. Seeing and listening to Drew talk about HPU was encouraging to us as we gave thought to making a donation to the school.”
The family decided to establish a scholarship because they believe in the values HPU promotes, Lee Nagel said.
“Being able to support students with financial needs so they have amazing opportunities was meaningful because we believe in the power of an education,” said Lee Nagel. “An education from HPU is invaluable, and we hope that the students affected by our gift will make their mark on our world.”