HPU Hosts 36th Annual Rotary Thanksgiving Luncheon
High Point University hosted the 36th annual Rotary Thanksgiving luncheon today at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. Andre Norman, the president and founder of Second Chance University, spoke to approximately 800 people in attendance.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 21, 2025 – High Point University hosted the 36th annual Rotary Thanksgiving luncheon today at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center.
HPU President Nido Qubein started the annual Rotary Thanksgiving luncheon in 1989 after noticing that too many of his friends were more focused on turkey and dressing than expressing gratitude for the blessings in their lives. Qubein welcomed Rotarians from across the state to campus via a recorded message that recalled the Thanksgiving tradition was created by the Pilgrims who came to this country, planted seeds in the ground, prayed those seeds would give harvest and then thanked God for the harvest they received.
Ricardo Siordia, president of the Rotary Club of High Point, welcomed representatives of 49 Rotary clubs in the district who were among approximately 800 people at the luncheon. Siordia introduced Andre Norman, a globally recognized transformational speaker, consultant and the president and founder of Second Chance University.
“His work has revolutionized correctional systems worldwide and touched countless lives with possibilities,” Siordia said. “Get ready to be inspired, motivated and challenged.”
Norman shared his background of growing up in Boston with a father who beat his mother and did not prepare him to stand up against racists and bullies. After his mother made his father move out, she became a single mother who worked three jobs to raise six children. When Norman struggled to read, a caring teacher took him aside to adapt his learning style. Another teacher later recognized Norman’s talent for playing the trumpet and got him enrolled in a magnet school.
“School was my refuge,” Norman said of his early life.
He sold drugs to make money for food and clothes. After someone stole his trumpet, Norman gave up on that purpose in life. He wound up in prison where his friends said they had been expecting him. For six years, he dedicated himself to being a gang member until he heard God speak to him despite his anger and rejection. As a result, he started thinking about going home, attending Harvard University and being successful. His friends told him that was impossible because he was a black gang member who didn’t read well, was angry and super aggressive. Norman began taking classes at the prison school for anger management, to earn his GED and substance abuse although he didn’t use drugs or drink.
“Everybody said I was crazy because I wouldn’t quit on my dream,” Norman said. “I locked in and regardless of what they said was impossible because I work for a God that says nothing is impossible. I had faith so I kept going forward.”
It took him eight years to get his 105-year prison sentence overturned, and 14 years before he walked out of prison and later became a Harvard University Fellow. His purpose and passion changed to empowering other individuals to rebuild their lives through access, education and inspiration to unlock their full potential.
“My good friend and our friend Dr. Qubein cares about making a difference. Our purpose is clear: bring salvation to those in need; bring food to those who are hungry; bring shelter to those who are homeless and bring knowledge to those who seek it,” Norman said. “I believe every child has a voice, every child has a message, and every child has a purpose. At one time, nobody saw me as that child but God saw and He brought me back, He brought me through it, and He put me here with you. And through that, we can touch the world. You are worthy of God’s grace, and you are worthy of God’s love.”