High Point University
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High Point University  |
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| Motto: | Nil Sine Numine (Latin for "Nothing Without Divine Guidance") |
| Established: | 1924 |
| Type: | Private |
| Endowment: | US $52 million[1] |
| Chancellor: | Jacob Martinson, Jr. |
| President: | Nido Qubein |
| Faculty: | 551[2] |
| Students: | 3,079 |
| Undergraduates: | 2,760 |
| Postgraduates: | 319[3] |
| Location: |  High Point, North Carolina, USA |
| Campus: | Suburban 140 acres (0.52 km²) |
| Colors: | Purple and white |
| Nickname: | Panthers |
| Mascot: | Prowler the Panther |
| Athletics: | NCAA Division I Big South Conference 16 varsity sports |
| Website: | www.highpoint.edu |
High Point University is a private liberal arts university in High Point, North Carolina, USA, affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
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[edit] History
[edit] Beginnings
The school was founded as High Point College in 1924, 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, and 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, but failed because of its isolated rural location.
The statewide governing body of the Methodist Protestant Church finally voted to proceed in 1921.[4] Shortly afterwards it accepted an offer from the citizens of High Point to contribute 60 acres of land and $100,000 to the project.[5] The campus was designed by R. E. Mitchell of Washington, DC, 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.
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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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]
[edit] Expansion and Growth
The postwar decades brought prospects for rapid growth and expansion. Under the influences of the G.I. Bill and the "baby boom" of the 1940s and 1950s, enrollment more than tripled, with a corresponding increase in staff. The College's programs received full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1951.[9] Additional facilities were added in response to this growth in size and professionalism: four residence halls between 1953 and 1968, two classroom buildings, a second gymnasium, an auditorium, a chapel, and a campus center. By 1959, the school's endowment topped $1 million. A major campaign in the 1960s, entitled "The Golden Decade", exceeded $5 million in donations, and increased the endowment to almost $3 million.
Physical expansion of the campus continued with Smith Library in the spring of 1984, featuring a capacity three times the size of the former facility. The original men's residence hall was replaced in 1987 with a 221-resident facility. The "Aspire" campaign sought to raise $20 million in assets for the College and set the tone for the institution into the 1990s. By 1991, the endowment had increased to $24 million, eighth among institutions of higher learning in North Carolina.
[edit] 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 Haworth 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.[10] By 2004, the University's endowment increased to $40 million.
In 2004, President Martinson became the university's first chancellor, an office he still holds despite his retirement from High Point University's presidency on January 1, 2005. Martinson's presidential successor, Nido Qubein, announced a US$60 million building and campus expansion campaign. This campaign was increased to $110 million after Qubein raised $20 million in his first few months of leadership.
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 the $25 million.[11] In its increased capacity, High Point University has been instrumental in attracting high-profile speakers to campus, including President George W. Bush, Former President Bill Clinton, Rudolph Giuliani, Robert Schuller, Queen Noor of Jordan and Bill Cosby. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas spoke at the 2008 Commencement ceremony.
[edit] Campus
[edit] 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 of just under 1.5 million. Of that number, approximately 90,000 live in High Point. Both Greensboro and Winston-Salem are twenty minutes from campus. East of the University are Raleigh, NC (1 1/2 hours away) and the Atlantic Ocean (4 hours away); south of the University are Charlotte, NC (1 1/2 hours away) and Atlanta, GA (5 hours away); and north of the University are the Appalachian Mountains (2 hours away) and Washington, DC (5 hours away).
[edit] 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 building has largely been covered by a neoclassical addition of 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 is Smallwood’s only project in the United States outside the northeastern states.
Rapid expansion of the campus in recent years includes the addition of several new buildings, notably Norton Hall, the Blessing Residential Hall, the Slane Student Life and Wellness Center, and the Jerry and Kitty Steele Sports Center.
[edit] 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). In addition, several study abroad programs are available to undergraduate students. High Point University in England offers a Junior Year Abroad program in conjunction with the University of Leeds for credit towards their degree. [12]
[edit] Colleges and Schools
College of Arts & Science
Earl N. Phillips School of Business
Evening Degree Program
Norcross Graduate School
School of Education
[edit] Academic programs [13]
- DEGREE PROGRAMS: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Education.
- MAJORS: Accounting, Art, Art Education, Athletic Training, 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, Political Science, Psychology, Recreation Management, Recreation Training and Fitness, Religion, Sociology, Spanish, Special Education, Sport Management, Technical Theatre.
- 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.
The Student Career Intern Program (SCIP) places students in career-related positions in area businesses before graduation.
- HONOR SOCIETIES: Order of the Lighted Lamp, Alpha Chi (both recognize academic
achievement), Alpha Delta Omega (Human Relations), Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish), Pi Delta Phi (French), Phi Sigma Iota (Foreign Language), 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).
[edit] Academic Rankings
In 2007, High Point University was ranked in the top tier of "Southern Comprehensive Undergraduate Colleges." HPU finished 6th out of 47 comprehensive undergraduate colleges in the South, as ranked by US News and World Report.[14]
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Adam Walsh - NCAA Assistant Coach Centenary College of Louisiana
- Tom Boleska - Minor League Baseball Player Pittsburgh Pirates
- Lauch Faircloth - Former US Senator (R-NC)
- Donna Fargo - Grammy-winning Country Music singer/songwriter
- Jonathan Griffith - General Manager of the Potomac Nationals
- Shannon Hunt - Actress
- Gene Littles - Former ABA Basketball Player and Former NBA Coach
- Jack Lucas - Youngest Marine to receive the Medal of Honor
- Bubba O'Donnell - Minor League Baseball Player Chicago Cubs
- Eammon Portice - Minor League Baseball Player Boston Red Sox
- Mark Shorey - Minor League Baseball Player St. Louis Cardinals
- Tubby Smith - NCAA Coach and Assistant Coach of the 2000 U.S. Men's Basketball Team
- Bryan Stockdale - Executive Vice President, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
[edit] Athletics
Twelve of High Point's athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division I level, and play in the Big South Conference. Men's and women's lacrosse teams and a women's swimming team compete at the Club level. Several teams play in the Millis Center. In 2007 The Coy O. Willard Baseball Stadium and Vert Soccer Stadium were built. In January 2008, Wake Forest University associate athletic director Craig Keilitz was appointed High Point University's new Director of Athletics. High Point University is the current reigning Division 1 1-minute half NCAA champion.
[edit] Publications and media
- High Point University Magazine, for alumni
- The Apogee, the University literary magazine
- Black Script
- Campus Chronicle, one of the Top 20 campus newspapers in the nation by the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA).
- WWIH Radio (90.3 FM), the campus radio station (No longer broadcasting)
- Zenith, yearbook
[edit] Greek Life
High Point University is home to 12 Fraternities and Sororities.
The following Greek organizations are present at HPU:
Interfraternity Conference:
National Panhellenic Conference:
National Pan-Hellenic Council:
National Service Fraternity
[edit] 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.[15]
[edit] Notes
- ^ How to wow? Car washes yield life lessons at HPU - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
- ^ http://www.highpoint.edu/news_events/article.cfm?ArticleID=1037&viewall=false
- ^ High Point University © 2008
- ^ Sizemore, F. J., ed. The Buildings and the Builders of a City: High Point, North Carolina. High Point: Hall Printing Company, 1947. p. 318-319
- ^ Robinson, Blackwell P., and Alexander R. Stoesen. "The History of Guilford County, North Carolina, U.S.A. To 1980, A.D." Greensboro: The Guilford County Bicentennial Commission, 1980. p. 233
- ^ Robinson, Blackwell P., and Alexander R. Stoesen. "The History of Guilford County, North Carolina, U.S.A. To 1980, A.D." Greensboro: The Guilford County Bicentennial Commission, 1980. p. 235
- ^ Sizemore, F. J., ed. The Buildings and the Builders of a City: High Point, North Carolina. High Point: Hall Printing Company, 1947. p. 318-319
- ^ Robinson, Blackwell P., and Alexander R. Stoesen. "The History of Guilford County, North Carolina, U.S.A. To 1980, A.D." Greensboro: The Guilford County Bicentennial Commission, 1980. p. 235
- ^ Robinson, Blackwell P., and Alexander R. Stoesen. "The History of Guilford County, North Carolina, U.S.A. To 1980, A.D." Greensboro: The Guilford County Bicentennial Commission, 1980. p. 235
- ^ http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:1WB66guuJOoJ:www.high-point.net/edc/2002annrpt.pdf+%22Christopher+Smallwood%22+%22high+point%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us| High Point Economic Development Corporation Website
- ^ Hayworths donate $25 million to High Point University - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
- ^ High Point University © 2008
- ^ http://www.highpoint.edu/documents/2006_CourseCatalog.pdf
- ^ USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2008: Baccalaureate Colleges (South): Top Schools
- ^ www.highpoint.edu/documents/Fall2005_CulturalEvents.pdf
McCaslin, Dr. Richard B., "Remembered Be Thy Blessings: High Point University The College Years, 1924-1991" High Point University, 1995.
[edit] External links
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