As 2024 approaches, HPU pauses to reflect on this past year, the families and friends we welcomed to campus and the continued transformational growth that made this year so memorable. As always, HPU is thankful for our students, parents, alumni supporters and friends for their continued advocacy, which allowed the university to move onward and upward in 2023. In the last year, HPU achieved several academic milestones while also furthering campus expansion plans. Students continued to receive unprecedented access to innovators on the HPU campus, and the university’s distinguished learning model was recognized again for excellence.
In honor of the year HPU was founded, 1924, and our approaching Centennial Anniversary, here is a glimpse of High Point University’s top 24 moments from 2023:
#1
HPU Welcomes Largest Enrollment in History
At 6,051, the largest number of new students in HPU’s history arrived to campus this fall. This includes 1,600 new students and 1,046 graduate students. The incoming freshman class has achieved the historically highest averages for unweighted GPA and SAT scores, as well as the largest international student population. In addition, 20% of the class represent first generation students.
#2
Donors Give HPU a Record $134 Million
HPU has received a record $134 million in philanthropic gifts. Several multi-million dollar gifts made this possible, along with more parents and families than ever before supporting HPU.
“Families, alumni, graduates, business leaders and friends of the university stood tall and stepped up to support HPU in our next transformational growth phase because they appreciate our mission to equip students with premier life skills,” said HPU President Nido Qubein. “The transformation through which we’ve led this university is all coming together to make HPU an exceptional school. Especially in the landscape of higher education today, these gifts demonstrate that HPU is highly valued and distinctive.”
$134 Million Was Made Possible, In Part, By:
“Families, alumni, graduates, business leaders and friends of the university stood tall and stepped up to support HPU in our next transformational growth phase because they appreciate our mission to equip students with premier life skills,” said HPU President Nido Qubein. “The transformation through which we’ve led this university is all coming together to make HPU an exceptional school. Especially in the landscape of higher education today, these gifts demonstrate that HPU is highly valued and distinctive.”
$134 Million Was Made Possible, In Part, By:
- $32 million gift from Dr. Rick Workman to establish the Workman School of Dental Medicine
- $30 million gift from John and Lorraine Charman to construct the John and Lorraine Charman Library
- $38 million gift from Ken and Jana Kahn to establish the Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law (includes $8 million given previously)
- Several million more for scholarships, academic programs and student life facilities, such as The Bergman Hillel House established by Sam and Amanda Bergman, parents of two HPU students; a $1 million contribution to law school construction from Shane and Holly Smith; a $2 million contribution from Jerry Murdock for campus enhancement; a $1 million contribution from Joe and Julie Murphy to create an endowment for the School of Nursing; and many others.
- A record number of parents and families also gave to HPU.
#3
99% of Graduates Employed or in Graduate School within 180 Days
While HPU received numerous national rankings this year, the success of our graduates is our top priority. Data collected by HPU in accordance with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards shows HPU’s Class of 2022 earned a 99% career or graduate school placement within 180 days of graduation. That’s 14 points higher than the national average!
#4
HPU Welcomes Founding Dean of Optometry School
The School of Optometry is HPU’s 12th academic school and the ninth academic school the university has established since 2005. It will be North Carolina’s only School of Optometry. Dr. Catherine Heyman will serve as founding dean – she envisions bringing to optometric education the HPU approach of using experiential learning, emphasizing life skills and interprofessional education.
#5
HPU Launches School of Nursing and Announces New Dean
In January, HPU established a School of Nursing that Dr. Racquel Ingram will lead as founding dean. While a nursing department typically offers undergraduate programs, establishing a School of Nursing provides opportunities for HPU to develop additional undergraduate and graduate-level programs. It becomes HPU’s 13th academic school.
#6
U.S. News Ranks #1 Again
For 12 years now, High Point University has been named No. 1 Best Regional College in the South by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges.” HPU has also been named No. 1 Most Innovative for the ninth consecutive year and is recognized in several special categories. HPU received an additional new #1 ranking for Best Undergraduate Teaching.
#7
National Recognition from Princeton Review
Recognized for excellence, the Princeton Review once again recommends High Point University as one of the best institutions for undergraduate education in America. This is the seventh consecutive year HPU has been recognized.
#8
HPU’s Dental School Breaks Ground and Reaches Accreditation Milestone
The Workman School of Dental Medicine, the state’s only private dental school, achieved a milestone by receiving its initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Not long after that, HPU then broke ground on the three-story, 77,500-square-foot facility that will be home to the Workman School of Dental Medicine.
#9
Groundbreaking for Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law
A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held to celebrate HPU’s new law school and honor Kenneth F. Kahn, an HPU parent and graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School. The school will welcome its first class in fall of 2024 while the new facility is under construction. The new building will feature eight classrooms, a 13,000-square-foot law library with study space for students and a 120-seat courtroom that will double as a classroom. The large courtroom will have a state-of-the-art audio and visual system and look like a real courtroom with a jury box, a deliberation room and a visiting judge’s chamber.
#10
HPU Opens Panther Commons as a Hub of Activity
A new complex located next to the R.G. Wanek Center opened in fall 2023 and is filled with living spaces, abundant study spaces and resources to support student success! Nearly 400 students call this space home and enjoy several restaurants in the complex, including The Brunch Place; Kazoku Hibachi, a traditional Teppanyaki experience; Barberitos; and The Purple Pie Pizzeria. Additional retail spaces including a Panther Polish Nail Salon and The Barber Shop are also conveniently located here, along with a state-of-art Spinning Studio and Fitness Center.
#11
2024 Commencement Speakers Announced
In August, HPU announced that for the first time, the university will have two different ceremonies and two accomplished Commencement speakers for undergraduate and graduate students.
#12
HPU+ Launches Worldwide
As part of our commitment to being The Premier Life Skills University, High Point University launched a streaming service dedicated to professional development and telling the stories of the HPU family. In fact, alumni are the focus of a new series called "Destination Success,” and faculty are the stars of another series titled “Mentorship Matters.” The “Transformation YOU” series with Dr. Nido R. Qubein provides 3-minute master classes on life skills and leadership, with each episode designed to expand and enhance your wisdom, situational awareness and decision-making skills. HPU+ is available for download on the app store from your Apple TV, Roku or Firestick and other handheld devices. Join the thousands of subscribers and download the app for your smart TV, smart phone or tablet today.
#13
Students Connect with Global Leaders
High Point University’s Access to Innovators program brought a multitude of global leaders to campus to connect with and mentor students. Students also traveled to impressive organizations thanks to these industry titans. Here’s a glimpse:
- HPU Students Learn from Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak
- Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph Mentors HPU Students
- Dallas Mavericks CEO and ABC News Anchor Mentor Students
- The NBA’s Dallas Mavericks Host HPU Students for Externship
- William E. Kennard, HPU’s Global Leader in Residence, Mentors Students
- Dr. Rick Workman, HPU’s Dental Innovator in Residence, Mentors Students
- Dr. Ellen Zane, HPU Health Care Executive in Residence, Mentors Students
- HPU Students Learn Life Skills from STEM Educator in Residence
- MyEyeDr. CEO and HPU’s Health Care Expert in Residence Mentors Students
#14
Game Design Program Ranked Top 50 in the Nation
For the second year in a row, High Point University was selected on The Princeton Review’s 2023 list for the Top 50 Undergraduate Game Design Programs in the country. This major, as well as a corresponding minor, is housed in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication. HPU is the only university in North Carolina to make the list.
#15
Celebrating the Class of 2023
More than 1,400 degrees were conferred this spring, with more than 14,000 family and friends filling the Roberts Hall lawn to congratulate the graduates and learn from this year’s Commencement speaker, the honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, an accomplished woman entrepreneur and former U.S. ambassador to Finland.
#16
Major Concerts Come to Qubein Arena
It was showtime at HPU many times throughout the year! HPU hosted the fall concert for students featuring Flo Rida and a Family Weekend concert featuring the Australian Bee Gees and a Jimmy Buffett Land Shark tribute band. These are a few of the many exciting concerts held in the Qubein Arena since its opening in 2021. Grammy award-winning band Train, country music sensation Chris Lane, and ABBA and Beatles tribute bands have also performed in the space.
#17
HPU’s 13th Annual Veterans Day Celebration is Largest Yet
HPU values veterans and their service to our country. More than 2,000 veterans and their families arrived on campus for HPU’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration in November. The celebration, made possible by 150 student, faculty and staff volunteers, included a complimentary breakfast, a patriotic salute, the revealing of two track chairs that the HPU fraternity Kappa Alpha raised $40,000 to purchase, and much more.
#18
HPU Announces Pro Bono Law Clinic for Veterans
As part of HPU’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration and soon-to-open Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law, the university also announced that it will open a pro bono law clinic focused on veteran affairs. The pro bono clinic will provide free legal services to veterans on a wide variety of matters, which reflects HPU’s commitment to God, family and country values. It will be a crucial learning component for students in HPU’s new law school to ensure they receive hands-on, real-world learning.
#19
100% Pass Rates
HPU celebrates another year of successful graduate programs and its students. Class of 2022 graduates in HPU’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies received 100% pass rates on their national exams, surpassing the first-time pass rate national average. The Class of 2023 from the Bachelor of Arts teacher licensure programs and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs also received a 100% pass rate on the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA). Their success surpasses the national pass rate of 72%.
#20
HPU in the City Builds Career Connections
HPU students traveled to New York City and Washington, D.C., during their fall break to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work in business, professional sports, politics, broadcast journalism and the fashion industry. Students toured the U.S. Capitol, appeared on “Good Morning America,” and had the opportunity to network with professionals who work for such well-known brands as the NFL, the NBA, Morgan Stanley and Ralph Lauren.
#21
Miss Val’s Kindness Goes Viral
Valerie Baxter is an HPU security officer known as Ms. Val to students on campus. Her caring connection with them touched millions of hearts at this year’s graduation ceremony. She tearfully hugged her “babies” before they crossed the stage at High Point University’s 2023 Commencement Ceremony. NBC's TODAY Show and ABC's World News Tonight both took notice of the light she shines on the campus community. Her level of care for students is one of the many reasons parents and students love her, but the caring culture of High Point University is exemplified by all our staff and faculty.
#22
Big Wins in Athletics
For the second consecutive year, High Point University was crowned the George F. "Buddy" Sasser Cup Trophy champions as the Big South Conference's top overall athletic institution during the 2022-23 year. HPU won a stellar eight conference championships, with those being women's cross country, men's soccer (tournament), volleyball (regular season and tournament), and men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field.
#23
ABC Christmas Special
HPU’s Christmas special, “Christmas: A Time of Welcoming,” aired across the nation on ABC affiliated stations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The production was filmed on HPU’s campus, with many students and HPU family members involved. The special features scripture readings, prayers and performances by members of the HPU community and students. In case you missed it, you can watch the full program by clicking below.
#24
Annual Christmas Drive
Once again, HPU welcomed the community to campus for a complimentary Christmas Drive from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 18 through Dec. 27 as a way to celebrate Christmas together. HPU features the state’s tallest Christmas tree at 70 feet, more than 230 nutcrackers, thousands of new lights, decorations and more figures in the life-size Nativity.