High Point University

High Point University is a private liberal arts university in High Point, North Carolina, U.S., affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

Beginnings
The school was founded in 1924 as High Point College, a joint venture between the Methodist Protestant Church and the citizens of High Point. When the college opened, the campus consisted of three buildings, attended by nine faculty members, with a student enrollment of 122.

The Methodist Protestant Church, which is now part of the United Methodist Church, first became active in educational pursuits in North Carolina in the middle of the 19th century. Of the various institutions which it sponsored, the most ambitious was Yadkin College, which operated in neighboring Davidson County from 1856 to 1895.

After some years of consideration, the statewide governing body of the Methodist Protestant Church finally voted to proceed with establishing a new college in 1921. Shortly afterwards it accepted an offer from the citizens of High Point to contribute 60 acre of land and $100,000 to the project. The campus was designed by R. E. Mitchell of Washington, D.C., assisted by Herbert Hunter of High Point, in the English Renaissance style. Though finishing touches were still being added to Roberts Hall, Women's Hall, and McCulloch Hall, classes began in September 1924.

The steadfast growth that characterized the birth of the College ended abruptly with the Great Depression. This period was difficult for the College in 1932–33, as faculty salaries were cut and expenses were sometimes bartered. Despite a $50,000 fund raising campaign, the College declared bankruptcy on June 15, 1934 and reorganization in an effort to reduce its indebtedness. Reorganization enabled the College to move forward with business and expansion. By the end of the decade, the M. J. Wrenn library and the H. Albion Millis athletic stadium were constructed. During World War II, the College hosted the 326th College Training Detachment of the U.S. Army Air Force. With the liquidation of debt, financial stability ultimately returned by 1945.

Recent history
A 1990 report from a task force called "The National Commission on the Future of High Point College" outlined the blueprints for growth into the twenty first century. The report called for emphasis on teaching ethics in the curriculum, enhancing international relationships and exchanges, improving academic and dormitory spaces, and reconstituting college as a university.

On October 9, 1991, by the action of the Board of Trustees, the name of High Point College was changed to High Point University to reflect post-graduate degree programs. The campus saw expansion of the Millis Athletic/Convocation Center in late 1992 to provide facilities for convocations, physical education, athletic, and health activities. Other notable additions to the campus include an addition to the Hayworth Hall of Science and the Hayworth Fine Arts Center, a domed structure with a Tuscan portico designed in consultation with London-based architect Christopher Smallwood. By 2004, the University's endowment increased to $40 million.

A major donation from community activist and philanthropist David Hayworth to High Point University brings total contributions from David Hayworth and his late brother Charles to $25 million. In its increased capacity, High Point University has been instrumental in attracting high-profile speakers to campus, including former President George W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, televangelist pioneer Rev. Robert Schuller, Queen Noor of Jordan, television legend Bill Cosby, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, astronaut and children's book author Buzz Aldrin, Coca-Cola Company Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent, athlete Lance Armstrong, former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, and the man who co-founded Apple, Inc. with Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak is slated to be the 2013 Commencement speaker.

Since taking office in 2005, President Nido Qubein has raised $159 million for the university. Businessweek reports that about $700 million in new building and campus upgrades was financed by heavy borrowing and Moody’s Investor Services downgraded the school’s bonds to junk status because it is one of the most heavily-leveraged colleges in the country as a result. The university countered that it has an innovative and financially sound plan for the future. Businessweek invited the school to make financial documents available to support any challenges to the article's accuracy. In addition to questioning debt levels, Businessweek characterized the college’s growth as being based more on high-end student amenities and marketing strategy than on solid academics.

School of Education
High Point University held a grand opening for the new LEED-Certified School of Education with a ceremony, tours of the state-of-the-art facility and demonstrations in the classrooms. The 31,000-square-foot School of Education houses the education and psychology departments in technologically advanced classrooms, computer labs and offices. It features high-tech educational equipment, such as smart boards, a children's book library, math and science touch screen games, a methods lab designed to look and feel like a real elementary school classroom, a Mac lab and psychology research booths. The building is also setting an example for modern-day energy conservation with things like floor to ceiling windows for natural lighting and light sensors in the rooms. LEED certification is a rating system for "green" buildings developed by the Green Building Environmental Council of the United States (USGBC) and provides certain environmental standards for construction. Water usage is cut by 30 percent inside the building and by 50 percent in its irrigation system, while energy usage is decreased by 24 percent. Further information regarding LEED certification may be found at the following sites: U. S. Green Building Council, Natural Resources Defense Council, Green Building Certification Institute.

Location
Together, Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem, along with the surrounding suburbs and townships, form the Piedmont Triad region, an area with a population over 1.5 million. Of that number, approximately 100,342 live in High Point. Both Greensboro and Winston-Salem are twenty minutes from campus. East of the University are Raleigh, NC (1½ hours away) and the Atlantic Ocean (3½ hours away); south of the University are Charlotte, NC (1½ hours away) and Atlanta, GA (5 hours away); west of the University are the Appalachian Mountains (2 hours away) and north is Washington, DC (5 hours away).

Notable buildings
At the University's founding, Washington, D.C. architect R. E. Mitchell partnered with local architect Herbert Hunter and adopted a Georgian Revival theme to provide an air of dignity and erudition for an institution in its infancy. Built in this theme, the most impressive building on the campus is Roberts Hall, among the first triad of buildings, which demonstrates the British Renaissance ideals that inspired Georgian architecture in its tall multi-tiered tower and imposing front portico of Corinthian columns. This 1923 building may have been loosely modeled on Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Women's Hall, also designed by Herbert Hunter in 1923, continues the architectural theme of Roberts Hall. In addition, Women’s Hall sports an elaborate cupola centered over the heart of the building. Wrenn Hall, originally constructed as the M. J. Wrenn Library, was completed in 1937 and progressed the Georgian dialog of early campus buildings with an elaborate elliptical transom window and a broken ogee frontispiece. These buildings constitute the ceremonial core of the campus and provide a backdrop for special events such as graduation.

Breaking free of the Georgian theme, architect Leon Schute contributed a number of modernist designs to the campus. The Horace S. Haworth Hall of Science opened in 1967 and featured a two-story masonry façade that was broken at regular intervals by concrete pilasters to provide the effect of a classical colonnade; this modernist façade was mostly covered by a neoclassical addition in 1999. Schute was also the designer of the Slane University Center (formerly the McPherson Campus Center), in 1972, that continued modernist themes for which he was well known. In 1993, Montlieu Avenue, a thoroughfare that cut through the center of the campus, was closed to traffic and dedicated as the Kester International Promenade (originally known as the "Greensward"), an open commons that unites the campus with green-space.

Recent additions to the campus have revisited historically inspired architecture, including the Hayworth Fine Arts Center, a domed structure with a Tuscan portico designed in consultation with London-based architect Christopher Smallwood. This structure is Smallwood’s only project in the United States outside the northeastern states.

Thanks to a $486 million renovation project of the campus, led by fund raising efforts by President Nido Qubein, several new residential and educational buildings have been added. These additions include notably Norton Hall, the Blessing Residential Hall, The Village Residential Complex, the Slane Student Life and Wellness Center, and the Jerry and Kitty Steele Sports Center. A large number of fountains have also been installed throughout the university commons with plans to add even more.There are also several facilities currently under construction and slated for completion in 2009. These buildings include the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, the Plato S. Wilson Family School of Commerce, and the crown jewel of student life, the $50 million University Center (formerly called the Multiplex). The University Center, completed in 2009, houses 600 students in 300 upscale apartment-like facilities and includes a fully functional movie theater, a steakhouse, a convenience store, a bakery and a two story gaming-and-restaurant concept.

With the campus renovations at High Point University breaching $486 million in August 2010, President Nido Qubein announced several other additions to the campus. These include a new school of education and a Greek Village. The Greek Village will consist of roughly 14 houses aimed at housing 200 total students. The $10 million Greek Village and the school of education will begin construction in 2010.

In February 2011, the university acquired the Oak Hollow Mall which is located less than a mile from campus. The university then hired the previous owners to manage the property as a retail mall "for now". Long term plans for the property have not been announced.



Academics
High Point University offers day and evening undergraduate degree programs (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science) and evening graduate degree programs (Master of Education in Elementary Education, Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Organization, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Science in Sports Studies). A doctoral degree in Educational Leadership began in the fall of 2012.

In 2012, High Point University had a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 and a student retention rate of 79%.

Study Abroad
High Point University offers a wide variety of study abroad programs, including semester programs at universities in Italy, Germany, France, Ecuador, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Fiji, the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, South Africa and Russia. In addition, students can participate in Faculty-in-Residence Programs in Oxford, England (Fall) and Prague, Czech Republic (Spring). Students take a full load of credits transferable toward their High Point University degree. Costs are equivalent to the High Point all-inclusive fee and most financial aid applies.

Each May, High Point University provides access to many short-term, faculty-led "Global Experience" programs. For 2013, the 'Maymester' offerings include Animal Behavior in South Africa, Spanish in Guatemala, International Marketing in China, Drawing and a Choir Tour to Italy, a Flamenco course to Spain, Interior Design in Paris & France and a Cross-Cultural Psychology tour to Italy, Germany and France. Courses vary each year.

Colleges and schools

 * College of Arts & Science
 * Earl N. Phillips School of Business
 * Evening Degree Program
 * Norcross Graduate School
 * School of Education
 * Nido R. Qubein School of Communication
 * Plato Wilson School of Commerce
 * School of Art and Design
 * School of Health Sciences

Academic programs

 * Degree Programs: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Education, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D).


 * Majors: Accounting, Art, Art Education, Athletic Training, Biochemistry, Biology, Business Administration, Business Economics, Business Finance, Chemistry, Chemistry-Business, Communications, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, English Literature, English Writing, Entrepreneurship, Exercise Science, Forestry, French, Global Trade, History, Home Furnishings Marketing, Human Relations, Information Security and Privacy, Interior Design, International Business, International Studies, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Mathematics, Medical Technology, Middle Grades Education, Modern Languages, Music, North American Studies, Performance Theatre, Philosophy, Physical Education-Teacher Certification, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Recreation Management, Recreation Training and Fitness, Religion, Sociology, Spanish, Special Education, Sport Management, Technical Theatre.

The Student Career Intern Program (SCIP) places students in career-related positions in area businesses before graduation.
 * Special Programs: Pre-professional studies leading to medical, dental, pharmacy, or physician assistant school, engineering, forestry school, law school, theological seminary, or other professional training.


 * Honor Societies: Order of the Lighted Lamp, Alpha Chi (both recognize academic achievement), Alpha Delta Omega (Human Relations), Beta Beta Beta (Biology), Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish), Pi Delta Phi (French), Phi Sigma Iota (Foreign Language), Lambda Pi Eta (Communications), Alpha Sigma Lambda (Adult Learners), Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science), Kappa Delta Pi (Education), Delta Mu Delta (Business), Psi Chi (Psychology), Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice), Sigma Tau Delta (International English Honors Society).

Academic rankings
High Point University was named No. 1 in two categories in the "2013 Best Colleges," published by "U.S. News & World Report,". No. 1 Up and Coming College in the South and No. 1 Regional College in the South, moving past #2 John Brown University (Arkansas), #3 Meredith College (NC), and #4 Asbury University (KY) to claim the top regional ranking in the South.

HPU has been included in the list, "America's Best Colleges," ranking at number 510 on the list of 650 created by Forbes magazine. Parade Magazine also listed High Point University as one of the top 25 large private schools in the nation in the magazine's 2010 "College A-List."

On April 16, 2013 the Princeton Review, partnering with the U.S. Green Building Council, named High Point University to its list of Green Colleges. The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges is a profile of higher education institutions that "demonstrate strong commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation." Princeton Review Green Colleges [Full List ]

Notable alumni

 * Elizabeth Carty - Miss North Carolina Teen USA
 * Dick Culler – Major League Baseball player
 * Austin Dillon – NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion
 * Lauch Faircloth – former United States Senator (R-NC)
 * Donna Fargo – Grammy-winning country music singer/songwriter
 * Issa Konare – PBL Basketball player for the Vermont Frost Heaves and plays for Senegal's national team
 * Gene Littles – former ABA basketball player and NBA coach
 * Jack Lucas – youngest Marine to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor
 * Robert "50" Martin – professional basketball player Atlanta Vision; former And1 streetballer
 * Taylor Milne – Canadian Olympian in the 1500m
 * Nido Qubein – President of High Point University, and world renowned speaker
 * Arizona Reid – professional basketball player, (Geneve Devils)
 * Tubby Smith – NCAA coach and assistant coach of the 2000 U.S. Men's Basketball Team
 * John Taylor – star of the reality television series Too Fat for 15 on the Style Network
 * Cody Furgeson - Major League Baseball player
 * Cody Allen - Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. Drafted in the 23rd Round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft

Athletics
The High Point Panthers include HPU's 16 athletic teams that compete at the NCAA Division I level, mostly in the Big South Conference. HPU's 16 varsity sports are baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's indoor track & field, men's and women's outdoor track & field and women's volleyball.

The 2010–11 season was the most successful since High Point University joined NCAA Div. I in 1999–2000. In the fall, the women's soccer team and women's volleyball team won Big South Tournaments and the men's soccer team won the Big South regular season. In the spring, the women's lacrosse team won the National Lacrosse Conference tournament and set a record for wins by a first-year program, with 15.

High Point University also fields the following sports at the club level: men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's rowing, running, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, women's field hockey, softball, ultimate frisbee and equestrian.

Donations to High Point University's Athletic Department have exceeded $30 million. The primary athletics facilities at High Point University are the Millis Center (basketball, volleyball), Williard Stadium (baseball) and Vert Stadium (track, soccer, lacrosse). Vert Stadium was resurfaced with Mondo 3NX turf in 2011.

In January 2008, Wake Forest University associate athletic director Craig Keilitz was appointed High Point University's Director of Athletics. In May 2009, former University of North Carolina captain Scott Cherry was named head coach of men's basketball.

Publications and media

 * High Point University Magazine, for alumni and students
 * The Apogee, the university literary magazine
 * Black Script
 * Campus Chronicle, rated one of the Top 20 campus newspapers in the nation by the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA)
 * HPU Radio, student produced and broadcast via Hpuradio.com
 * Zenith, yearbook
 * "HPU Sports Link", Broadcasts HPU athletics live online.

Greek life
High Point University is home to 12 fraternities and sororities.

The following Greek organizations are present at HPU:

Interfraternity Conference

 * Delta Sigma Phi
 * Lambda Chi Alpha
 * Pi Kappa Alpha
 * Pi Kappa Phi
 * Kappa Sigma
 * Beta Theta Pi
 * Kappa Alpha Order-coming in the fall of 2014

National Panhellenic Conference

 * Alpha Gamma Delta
 * Zeta Tau Alpha
 * Kappa Delta
 * Phi Mu
 * Sigma Sigma Sigma
 * Alpha Chi Omega

National Pan-Hellenic Council

 * Alpha Kappa Alpha
 * Delta Sigma Theta
 * Kappa Alpha Psi
 * Zeta Phi Beta

National Service Fraternity

 * Alpha Phi Omega

Sechrest gallery
A permanent collection of original works donated to the University by High Point Alumnus Darrell L. Sechrest. Among others, the permanent collection includes works by Christian Dietrich, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Allesandro Gherardini, El Greco, Sir George Harvey Emile Louis Picault, Elsie Popkin, and Antonio Zucchi and Angelica Kauffman. The gallery is housed within the Hayworth Fine Arts Center on the campus of High Point University.