By Jen Paolino
Nothing Stays the Same
In a society where we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt, to change with the times, anything that falls short of what is new or, dare I say trendy, is shunned, looked down upon, or thought of as not meeting the standards of today.
High Point University is not a school that likes to be overshadowed by many things, so the fact that it is at the top of its class when it comes to education, technology, transportation, and just about anything else you can think of, is no surprise.
In the past three years, HPU has gone from a relatively unknown private school, to working its way up the ranks, now sitting comfortably among schools two or three times its size. It seems as though no stone has been left unturned in the on-going transformation of High Point University.
The Start of it All
In the fall of 2006, it almost seemed as if the cars on campus were outnumbered by bulldozers and pick-up trucks. The streets were littered with men wearing hard-hats, and the sounds of jack-hammers and drills filled the air. While this might not paint the most picturesque of scenes, it was the beginning of something great; something new and exciting. Something extraordinary.
Blessing Hall, the first, but not the last, residence hall on campus to offer private bedrooms, private bathrooms, and a full kitchen, was ready and waiting for the brand new freshman class when they arrived in August 2006. It may have been the first thing to go up, but if anyone thought it was the last, they were sadly mistaken.
According to Dr. Nido Qubein, there have been thirteen new buildings and two new stadiums, a total of 1,000,000 sq. ft., added to the ever-growing High Point University campus. But, not only have new buildings been erected, all of the old buildings have been renovated as well, ensuring that no matter where you are on campus you are getting the very best.
From the Philips School of Business, which features spacious auditoriums, state-of-the-art computer labs, and private study rooms, to the brand new Slane Student Activity Center that includes a fully equipped weight room, the newly renovated cafeteria (now with outdoor seating), to, of course, the Subway, Chik-Fil-A, and Starbucks. And did I mention the pool? Yes, there is a pool, because what would a college campus be without a pool? Pretty lame, if you ask me.
In a society where we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt, to change with the times, anything that falls short of what is new or, dare I say trendy, is shunned, looked down upon, or thought of as not meeting the standards of today.
High Point University is not a school that likes to be overshadowed by many things, so the fact that it is at the top of its class when it comes to education, technology, transportation, and just about anything else you can think of, is no surprise.
In the past three years, HPU has gone from a relatively unknown private school, to working its way up the ranks, now sitting comfortably among schools two or three times its size. It seems as though no stone has been left unturned in the on-going transformation of High Point University.
The Start of it All
In the fall of 2006, it almost seemed as if the cars on campus were outnumbered by bulldozers and pick-up trucks. The streets were littered with men wearing hard-hats, and the sounds of jack-hammers and drills filled the air. While this might not paint the most picturesque of scenes, it was the beginning of something great; something new and exciting. Something extraordinary.
Blessing Hall, the first, but not the last, residence hall on campus to offer private bedrooms, private bathrooms, and a full kitchen, was ready and waiting for the brand new freshman class when they arrived in August 2006. It may have been the first thing to go up, but if anyone thought it was the last, they were sadly mistaken.
According to Dr. Nido Qubein, there have been thirteen new buildings and two new stadiums, a total of 1,000,000 sq. ft., added to the ever-growing High Point University campus. But, not only have new buildings been erected, all of the old buildings have been renovated as well, ensuring that no matter where you are on campus you are getting the very best.
From the Philips School of Business, which features spacious auditoriums, state-of-the-art computer labs, and private study rooms, to the brand new Slane Student Activity Center that includes a fully equipped weight room, the newly renovated cafeteria (now with outdoor seating), to, of course, the Subway, Chik-Fil-A, and Starbucks. And did I mention the pool? Yes, there is a pool, because what would a college campus be without a pool? Pretty lame, if you ask me.
The Transformation Continues
If it wasn’t enough to completely transform the already existing campus, High Point University is expanding. The Village, a gated community at HPU that is located on North College Drive, makes the campus feel more like a country club than a university. Following the same formula as York and Blessing residence halls, The Village and The Village II provide students with private bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms, with the added bonus of double beds. Because a bed that fits one just isn’t enough.
While The Village might be cut off from the rest of campus, they still have everything they could possible need over in their private community including a mailroom, a gym, a pool, and The Grille, their very own restaurant/convenience store. So, if they are not willing to take the shuttle bus, which comes and goes every fifteen minutes, to the other end of campus, they’re pretty much set just where they are.
With the Norcross Graduate School, The Philips School of Business, the Jerry and Kitty Steele Sports Center, York Residence Hall, The Village, and a plethora of other buildings already completed, some may be wondering what else could possibly be added to HPU’s campus. Another fountain perhaps? It’s possible, but before we erect another water feature, the school is focusing on what really matters; education.
The Qubein School of Communications has been a work in progress since 2006, and, after numerous minor setbacks, is finally getting completed this August. After expanding the building by 20,000 sq. ft and adding extensive technology, it will boast a full two studio, one control room high definition television facility with green screen capabilities, a state of the art recording studio, and top of the line audio and video equipment. Professional television studios everywhere are already jealous.
One of the highly anticipated projects, with a projected completion date of August 2009 is The Multiplex. With 300 hotel style dorm rooms, a movie theatre, a steak house, and a Barnes and Noble, every student on campus, including myself, is anxiously awaiting its unveiling when they return to school next fall.
The End Result
Although many students have high hopes that one day soon they will wake up to peace and quiet outside their bedroom windows and they won’t be run off the roads by tractor
trailers or giant flatbeds carrying some unimaginably large piece of equipment, that chance is slim to none.
High Point University will always be evolving. Whether it is on campus or with their increasing student body, change is vital to keep things vibrant and fresh; to keep people interested and coming back for more.
“This transformation has made our school a first class place with extraordinary student facilities,” said Dr. Qubein. “All of this has brought us national attention, significant growth in enrollment, and increased retention. We are now a “hot” school with extraordinary learning opportunities and outstanding student involvement. “
High Point University does all it can for its students every day. They are constantly trying to make our campus the best it can be, and Dr. Qubein and his staff have invested $250 million to ensure just that.
To see what other people are saying about the transformation of High Point University, check out the following links:
Sidebar: From Construction Site to Country Club in Under Four Years
Starting out at a new school in a new state is overwhelming on its own, but in 2006, with bulldozers and forklifts taking over the High Point University campus, freshman Ashley Akers began to wonder exactly what it was that she had gotten herself into.
“They were still laying down the grass when I was moving in,” Akers recalls of her first official day on campus. That August, the transformation was just beginning, and the graduating class of 2010 has definitely been feeling the effects of all the on-going construction.
Akers admits that from day one it was like walking into a ‘hard-hat-only’ zone; with hammers banging, drills buzzing and two-by-fours hanging in the air above our heads, there was no escaping the fact that the High Point University we all knew and loved would soon be transformed into the miles and miles of breathtaking campus we have grown so accustomed to.
Being able to watch the changes take place is what really makes it worth it for Akers; knowing what the University once was, and seeing what it has become makes her appreciate everything that HPU has to offer. Even though she will probably be waking up to the sound of trucks backing up for the better part of the next two years, it doesn’t bother her, because she knows that she is getting a first-class education with the best amenities that any school in the country has to offer.
With a big smile on her face, and not the least bit of hesitation in her voice Akers graciously reveals that there isn’t any other school that can make her feel so at home.
Sidebar: Construction Timeline
Name of Building Date of Completion
Blessing Residence Hall August 2006
Slane Student Center August 2007
Philips School of Business August 2007
Vert Track and Stadium August 2007
York Residence Hall August 2007
Jerry and Kittle Steele Sports Center August 2007
The Village Community August 2008
Hayworth Park August 2008
Wilson School of Commerce Under Construction
Brayton School of Education Under Construction
Nido Qubein School of Communication Under Construction
1 comment:
Jen, you have a good, timely, newsworthy topic. I would have liked to see more quotes throughout though, and less use of first person. It currently reads more like a personal common because of your use of first person and lack of quotes throughout.
Same comment for your sidebar on one student's experience with construction at HPU. I would have liked to hear more from her.
I enjoyed your video images and the internal link that provided detailed info. on the HPU construction.
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