HPU Awards Graduates Degrees at December Commencement
HPU President Nido Qubein welcomed the audience and addressed the newest graduates during the ceremony inside the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Dec. 13, 2024 – High Point University honored 130 graduates from the Class of 2024 who crossed the stage today to receive their bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degrees at the December Graduation Ceremony.
HPU President Nido Qubein told the audience that he knew the graduates’ friends and family members felt proud as they gathered inside the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center to celebrate the newest graduates. The ceremony was held only a few months after HPU celebrated its centennial anniversary and welcomed its largest total enrollment of 6,335 students.
“Graduates, congratulations to you, and congratulations to your family and friends who supported you along the pathway,” Qubein said. “I know you will remember them and thank them in a special way.”
Qubein used an analogy of a rubber band to remind graduates to stretch themselves enough to make good changes in their profession and the world around them. He offered three words for them to remember as they continue their lives. The word “yet” refers to the hope and belief that goodness lies ahead for them. The word “and” leads to a challenge that graduates do all they are expected to and then some rather than only the minimum. The word “why” represents their ongoing efforts to address curiosity.
“If you don’t have the job you want, just remember you haven’t got the job yet,” Qubein said. “Don’t just seek a job, seek a mission to make the world a better place. You are the light of the world. Let your light shine. In your own way, you will light a candle for someone, lead someone, help someone, heal someone.”
As is tradition at HPU’s graduation, a bald eagle named Clark soared over the graduates at the end of the ceremony to symbolize the ideals of free enterprise, independence and the ability to pursue new opportunities in America. Each graduate received an HPU blanket, symbolic of warmth and love, to share with a parent, grandparent, mentor or someone who made a difference in their life. Graduates also took home a copy of the book, “Our Faithful Transformation,” that depicts the university’s transformative journey since Qubein became president in 2005.
Dr. Marc Foster, chair and professor of music, performed the song, “You Raise Me Up,” which was written by HPU’s 2018 Commencement speaker Josh Groban, to close the ceremony.
“Graduates, we are proud of you,” Qubein said. “You’ve worked hard to arrive at this point. The hope I have is that you be the best in all you do. You will go on to change the world and make it a better place.”