HPU Winter Events Attract 14,000+ Visitors and Provide Economic Boost
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Feb 23rd, 2026

HPU Winter Events Attract 14,000+ Visitors and Provide Economic Boost

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High Point University welcomed more than 14,000 visitors to the area during the last month for several events, including three Presidential Scholarship Weekends and Spring Family Weekend. As part of the festivities, HPU President Nido Qubein spoke to families and students about achieving success and significance in the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center.

HIGH POINT, N.C., Feb. 23, 2026 – High Point University welcomed more than 14,000 visitors to campus during the last month for several events, including three Presidential Scholarship Weekends and Spring Family Weekend. The influx of visitors generated nearly $4.8 million in local economic impact for the city of High Point and Piedmont Triad region.

During these weekends, students and their families enjoyed hearing HPU President Nido Qubein speak about university updates and how HPU prepares students to live of a life of success and significance. He also sat down to interview former Ohio Governor John Kasich, who twice ran for U.S. President, for an in-depth conversation. Other activities included panel discussions featuring alumni who are leading successful careers with top companies, as a well as a sit-down conversation with Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, who serves as HPU’s Innovator in Residence.

Hundreds of guests attended the Presidential Scholars dinner and listened as HPU alumni who are leading successful careers with top companies shared their HPU experiences that helped them get there. From left were Cameron Scott, ’17, Wasserman Baseball; Carly Garr, ’19, Universal Destinations; Emerson Heckler, ’24, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Emmy Beck-Aden, ’22, NBC News; Jack Lasalla, ’24, BNY; and Julia Segalla, ’24, ’23, Johnson and Johnson.
Hundreds of guests attended the Presidential Scholars dinner and listened as HPU alumni who are leading successful careers with top companies shared their HPU experiences that helped them get there. From left were Cameron Scott, ’17, Wasserman Baseball; Carly Garr, ’19, Universal Destinations; Emerson Heckler, ’24, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Emmy Beck-Aden, ’22, NBC News; Jack Lasalla, ’24, BNY; and Julia Segalla, ’24, ’23, Johnson and Johnson.

Families also toured academic facilities, attended HPU basketball games and visited the Culp Planetarium and the Nido and Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum.

“High Point University’s winter event weekends like Spring Family Weekend and Presidential Scholarship Weekends deliver real momentum for our community during the slower season in our calendar,” Visit High Point President Melody Burnett said. “With an estimated 14,000 attendees generating $4,782,698 in economic impact, these visits support our area hotels, restaurants and small businesses while sustaining hospitality jobs. We’re also grateful for HPU’s operations teams for the care and coordination they brought to these weekends while navigating winter weather with safety. HPU always ensures a seamless experience for families, students and visitors.”

Spring Family Weekend – 5,000 Visitors

The university welcomed more than 5,000 guests for Spring Family Weekend from Feb. 6-8. HPU families enjoyed hearing a University Update from Dr. Qubein and attending a variety of events, including a Dean’s List reception, a lacrosse game and choral concerts. They also took campus walking tours.

“High Point University takes pride in being a God, family, country school, and this weekend gave our students the opportunity to spend time with their families, whose love and support means the world to them,” Qubein said. “Parents are HPU’s biggest advocates, and we appreciate their support and enthusiasm over the weekend.”

During the three Presidential Scholars Weekends, future HPU families had the opportunity to meet students, faculty and alumni and explore different majors and learning opportunities on campus. At right, Emerson Heckler, a 2024 HPU graduate and now a second-year medical school student, talked with Presidential Scholarship families in Butterfly Cafe.
During the three Presidential Scholars Weekends, future HPU families had the opportunity to meet students, faculty and alumni and explore different majors and learning opportunities on campus. At right, Emerson Heckler, a 2024 HPU graduate and now a second-year medical school student, talked with Presidential Scholarship families in Butterfly Cafe.

Presidential Scholars Weekends – 5,000 Visitors

The three Presidential Scholarship Weekends attracted a total of 5,000 visitors to campus, said Dr. Kerr Ramsay III, HPU’s senior vice president for enrollment. The weekends brought hundreds of accomplished high school students to campus to interview for potential scholarship increases.

Mia Zuccaro, a senior at Northwestern Regional High School in New Hartford Center, Connecticut, attended the first Presidential Scholarship Weekend from Jan. 16-17.

“I walked away from the weekend feeling even more confident in myself, excited and ready to be on campus in six months, incredibly grateful that my hard work brought me to this moment, and feeling so blessed I will be attending such an amazing university,” said Zuccaro, who plans to major in interior design. “I’m so thankful for this experience and am beyond excited to be joining the High Point University family this fall.”

Thousands More Attend Athletic and Additional Admissions Events

During the men’s basketball game on Feb. 7, more than 7,000 people packed the Qubein Arena, marking an attendance record. More than 3,500 people packed the Qubein Arena on Jan. 29 for the men’s basketball game against Presbyterian, which ESPNU broadcast. Thousands more attended other athletic events on campus.

HPU also hosted 325 people on Jan. 17 for Admitted Students Day. The admissions office hosts 50-100 family tours on most weekends, Ramsay said. The university will host an additional 1,500 guests on campus on March 28 for another Admitted Students Day and 1,000 guests each at orientation events set for March 13, April 17, June 26 and July 17.