Department Graduation Ceremony for THE CLASS OF 2018

Saturday, the fifth of May, two thousand and eighteen Nine o’clock in the morning Roberts Hall Lawn

HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, USA There are few milestones in life more significant than the one we gather to celebrate this day. This is truly an extraordinary event in the lives of our graduates… one which opens the doors to a world of promising opportunities. In the years ahead, the choices these graduates make will guide their footsteps and determine their destiny. Join with the HPU family today in wishing our new alumni a life filled with both success and significance.

College graduation is also a milestone for the families of our students. You have invested many years focusing on nurturing your children’s souls and nourishing their minds. In every way — emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, financially — you have supported and encouraged them. Now, you celebrate their achievement with deserved pride. Thank you for being such caring family members.

Since the day your students arrived on campus, they have become more knowledgeable, more enlightened, more savvy about the world around them and more confident in their own abilities. They are now armed with the beliefs, skills, and tools to build a life of distinction. They leave this university transformed — prepared not only for the world as it is, but for the world as it is going to be.

The dedicated faculty and staff of our university have planted seeds of greatness in the minds and hearts of our graduates. We send them into the world with hopeful prayers that each one will find and follow their own path to noble stewardship and meaningful commitment.

Congratulations and God bless you,

Nido R. Qubein President [email protected] GRADUATION CEREMONY Saturday, the fifth of May, two thousand and eighteen at nine o’clock in the morning Roberts Hall Lawn President Nido R. Qubein, Presiding

PROCESSIONAL (Audience Stands)

Pomp and Circumstance...... Edward Elgar Marche Pontificale...... Charles Gounod Military March...... Ludwig van Beethoven

PRESENTATION of COLORS (Audience Stands)...... High Point University ROTC

NATIONAL ANTHEM (Audience Stands)...... Chamber Singers

INVOCATION...... Dr. Tawannah G. Allen Associate Professor of Educational Leadership

GREETINGS from the SENIOR CLASS...... Ms. Kendra R. Bickford President, Class of 2018 PRESENTATION of the MEREDITH CLARK SLANE DISTINGUISHED TEACHING-SERVICE AWARD and the RIDENHOUR SCHOLARLY and PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD...... Dr. Nido R. Qubein, President Dr. Dennis G. Carroll, Provost

RECOGNITION of RETIRING FACULTY...... Dr. Dennis G. Carroll

INTRODUCTION of SPEAKER...... Dr. Nido R. Qubein

WORDS for COMMENCEMENT...... Mr. Josh W. Groban

PRESENTATION of DEGREE CANDIDATES...... Dr. Dennis G. Carroll

AWARDING OF DEGREES...... Dr. Nido R. Qubein

PATRIOTIC MUSIC and SPECIAL PRESENTATION America the Beautiful...... Dr. Marc A. Foster Chair, Department of Music and Director of Choral Activities

RECESSIONAL (Audience Stands)

Marche Pontificale...... Charles Gounod Military March...... Ludwig van Beethoven TO APPRECIATE THE FUTURE, ONE MUST HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PAST

an athletic stadium was constructed. Financial stability ultimately returned with the liquidation of the debt in 1945.

The postwar decades brought renewed prosperity and rapid growth. Under the influences of the G.I. Bill and the “baby boom” of the 1940s and 1950s, enrollment tripled. The College’s programs received full regional accreditation in 1951.

On October 9, 1991, the name of High Point College was changed to High Point University.

In January 2005, Dr. Nido Qubein was elected the university’s seventh president, and within days he announced an ambitious fundraising effort which he himself would chair. Twenty-nine days later, $20 million had been committed. To date, more than $300 million has been given by generous donors.

A transformational academic and campus development plan began High Point University has come a long way since the Methodist in earnest. The plan is resulting in astonishing results. The general Protestant Church, which is now part of The United Methodist education curriculum was totally re-conceptualized to reflect 21st Church, first became active in educational pursuits in North century knowledge and trends, while remaining centered on a Carolina in the middle of the 19th century. At the turn of the liberal arts focus. Four new schools were created (Art and Design, century, The Reverend Joseph F. McCulloch of Greensboro began Communication, Pharmacy and Health Sciences). Opportunities working to make the vision of a church-related college a reality. He for study abroad, service learning, internships, and undergraduate labored for nearly a quarter-century before finding success. research were expanded in order to ensure experiential opportunities for all students. The number of faculty members tripled, and the The Annual Conference finally voted to proceed in 1921. Shortly university was approved to offer doctoral programs. Campus size has afterward, it accepted an offer from the City of High Point to tripled from 91 to more than 440 acres; traditional undergraduate contribute 60 acres of land and $100,000 to the project. The enrollment has increased from 1,450 to 5,000; and the employee campus of High Point College consisted of three partially completed population increased from 380 to more than 1,840. The annual buildings, nine faculty members and 122 students. Classes began in economic impact of the university is $500 million, and faculty, September 1924, even as the finishing touches were still being added staff and students donate more than 100,000 hours of service to to the original buildings. the community each year. HPU has been moving up the ranks in national college and university lists, including U.S. News and The atmosphere of confidence ended abruptly with the Great World Report, which ranks the university at No. 1 among Regional Depression. For many years, the struggle to survive was severe. Colleges in the South for the sixth consecutive year, and the No. Faculty salaries were in major decline, while students occasionally 1 Most Innovative Regional College in the South. The Princeton paid tuition in chickens, pigs and vegetables. In 1934, the College Review includes HPU in its annual “Best 382 Colleges” list, while underwent bankruptcy and reorganization in an effort to reduce its also naming HPU one of the top 20 universities in the nation for indebtedness. Slowly the situation began to improve. By the end of Best Career Services (No. 19), Best-Run Colleges (No. 20) and Best the decade, library and gymnasium facilities had been added and College Dorm Rooms (No. 7).

3 HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT 2018 GRADUATION CEREMONY TRADITIONS

THE PROCESSIONAL Led by the Faculty Marshal and the mace-bearer, the processional includes the bagpipe and drum core, banner-bearers, President, platform party, officers of the university, faculty and graduates.

THE PROCESSIONAL MACE THE ACADEMIC BANNERS The Processional officially commences as the Faculty Marshal The Academic Banners each represent the academic units of and mace-bearer wave the mace to announce the arrival of the High Point University: The Norcross Graduate School; David R. line of march. Developed originally as a weapon of war, the Hayworth College of Arts and Sciences; Nido R. Qubein School of mace now serves as a symbol of the university as an official body Communication; Wanek School of Undergraduate Sciences; Earl N. of scholars. The High Point University mace was designed in Phillips School of Business; School of Art and Design; Stout School 1965 by assistant professor of art, Raiford Porter. Carved from of Education; Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy; and Congdon pecan wood, the top of the mace reveals the lamp of learning. School of Health Sciences. The colors of the banners reflect the The Office of the Provost, located in Roberts Hall, proudly historical association of the respective disciplines. Banners were first displays the mace throughout the year. used at the university during the 2005-2006 academic year. The current banners were updated in 2011.

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT 2018 4 GRADUATION CEREMONY TRADITIONS

THE ACADEMIC REGALIA FACULTY MARSHALS Precedent for academic apparel dates to the 12th century, when The Faculty Marshals and Junior Marshals together arrange the medieval European townspeople identified their positions in life official ceremonies of High Point University. They establish the by the clothing they wore. As students of the medieval universities proper line of march and direct other activities consistent with organized into guilds, they followed the custom and developed their duties. The Faculty Marshals in these functions each carry distinctive costumes for bachelors (apprentices), masters a High Point University mace as a symbol of the authority of the (teachers), and doctors (teachers who had completed postgraduate position. study). Because the clergy comprised most of the educated class, the cloak and the mantle, worn by religious dignitaries in FACULTY MARSHAL processionals, probably became the model for academic regalia. Dr. Frederick Schneid, Professor of History

DEPUTY FACULTY MARSHALS In 1895, representatives from American universities and colleges Dr. Kevin Ford, Director of the Human Biomechanics and standardized an intercollegiate code based on Oxford University’s Physiology Laboratory and Professor in the Department of costume. This code has changed little since its adoption. Physical Therapy Dr. Jenny Fuselier, Assistant Professor of Mathematics The untrimmed bachelor’s and master’s gowns are distinguished by the pointed sleeves on the bachelor’s attire and the oblong JUNIOR MARSHALS sleeves on the master’s. Sleeves of the doctoral degree gown are long and flowing with three velvet bars on each. The university The Junior Marshals serve as banner-bearers and escorts for all lines president’s sleeves have four bars on each sleeve. Faced with velvet, of march during Commencement. The top 41 students in the junior the doctoral gowns’ color schemes differ according to school and class are selected to be Junior Marshals. degree. Most gowns are black, but there are some exceptions: Abigail Aleksa Addison Gantt Delaney Parrotta those with degrees from High Point, royal purple; Columbia Amber Belvin Collin Giuliani Cassidy Race University are authorized to wear blue gowns; Dartmouth Emma Bockrath Julia Goldman Brianna Reis College, green; Harvard, Cornell and others, red. Natalie Bodnar Hannah Hagans Mitchell Rismiller Thomas Boudreaux Haleigh Hatfield Remi Rohl The head covering of the academic costume may be either the Erin Brady Brekk Hayward Kaitlin Rose transitional mortar board or the velvet tam. Tassels for bachelor’s Alec Campbell* Courtney Homa Rachel Rotondo and master’s degree caps signify the field of study, while gold Keaton Case Mia Innamorato Erica Schimmel* bullion distinguishes the doctoral cap. Meredith Chapman Megan Koter Clarice Sigsworth Kaitlyn Coppetti My Quynh Le Savannah Stoughton The most informative part of the regalia is the academic hood, Kyle Corcoran* Carleigh Luck Lindsey Watts Lindsey Edwards Emily Lyon worn around the neck. The width of its velvet trimming designates *Chief Junior Marshal the level of degree; the color heralds the major field of study; and Lindsay Fadel Melissa Martins the lining identifies the institution that granted the degree. Melanie Fichialos MacKenzie McCarthy Jennifer Flanyak* Rachel Noonan

5 HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT 2018 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

MR. JOSH GROBAN nominated “Noel,” 2010’s gold-certified “Illuminations,” and 2013’s gold-certified “All That Echoes,” which debuted at No. 1 on the High Point University continues its Billboard Top 200 chart, giving Groban his first No. 1 debut and third tradition of bringing renowned thought chart-topper. Groban earned Grammy Award nominations for Best leaders to campus by featuring Mr. Traditional Pop Vocal Album for his 2015 album “Stages,” a collection Josh Groban, internationally acclaimed of some of the greatest songs from musical theater, and 2016’s “Stages singer, songwriter and actor, as the Live,” which featured performances recorded at the historic Los Angeles Commencement speaker on Saturday, Theater for his all-new PBS special, “Josh Groban: Stages Live.” An May 5. active arts education philanthropist and advocate, Groban is a member of Americans for the Arts Artists Committee, and Groban’s Find Your Possessing one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable Light Foundation helps enrich the lives of young people through arts, voices in music, singer, songwriter, and actor Josh Groban has education and cultural awareness. entertained fans across the globe with his multiplatinum albums and DVDs (over 30 million sold worldwide), electrifying live performances, Groban will become part of an extraordinary lineup of HPU and comedic film and television appearances. The 35-year-old Los Commencement speakers, including CNN’s lead political anchor Angeles native is the only artist who has had two albums appear on Wolf Blitzer; broadcast legend Tom Brokaw; Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the Top 20 Best-Selling Albums list of the past decade, according to 66th secretary of state; Gen. Colin Powell, former secretary of state, Billboard. He has appeared in the feature films “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and national security advisor; “The Hollars,” “Coffee Town,” and “Muppets Most Wanted,” as well former First Lady Laura Bush; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence as on NBC’s “The Office,” FX’s “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” Thomas; Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple; Rudy Giuliani, former and CBS’ “The Crazy Ones.” Groban has released seven studio albums New York City Mayor; Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan; NASA – his 2001 self-titled 5x-platinum debut, 2003’s 6x-platinum “Closer,” Astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin; and Muhtar Kent, CEO of the Coca-Cola 2006’s double-platinum “Awake,” 2007’s 6x platinum Grammy- Company. PREVIOUS COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS

Buzz Aldrin Laura Bush Clarence Thomas Rudy Giuliani Her Majesty Astronaut Former First Lady U.S. Supreme Court Justice Former New York Mayor Queen Noor of Jordan

Muhtar Kent Steve Wozniak Colin Powell Tom Brokaw Condoleezza Rice Wolf Blitzer Chairman & CEO Co-Founder USA (Ret.), Former Presidential Medal of 66th Secretary of CNN’s Lead Political The Coca Cola Apple Computer, Inc. Secretary of State Freedom Recipient, State Anchor Company Journalist HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT 2018 6 HPU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

High Point University’s Alumni Association fosters lifelong support of the university and allows graduates to participate in activities and services that connect them to a global network of more than 24,000 members. Through participating in social events, class reunions and career development programs sponsored by the Association, HPU alumni receive unprecedented access to resources and colleagues who will continue to inspire them throughout their journey in life. The Association is led by the HPU Alumni Board and supported by the Alumni Engagement Office. To learn more about the HPU Alumni Association, please visit alumni.highpoint.edu or contact Hayley Harris, Director of Alumni Engagement, at 336-841-9548.

7 HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT 2018 HPU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TIPS FOR ENJOYING COMMENCEMENT

g The entire Graduation Ceremony will be broadcast live at www.highpoint.edu/commencement. g Please cooperate as HPU employs heightened security measures due to the renown of the Commencement speaker. Guests may be inconvenienced with additional security checks. g Thank you for being considerate during the ceremony. Please be respectful of this formal occasion and refrain from loud talking and other noises. g Please observe the rope barricades and closed areas. Guests are asked to honor requests made by Junior Marshals. g The Graduation Ceremony will be broadcast via closed-circuit television at the Hayworth Fine Arts Center, Phillips Hall Francis Auditorium, R.G. Wanek Center Extraordinaire Cinema, and Slane Student Center. g Roberts Hall, Wrenn Hall and Smith Library are closed during the Graduation Ceremony. g After the Graduation Ceremony, graduates may pick up their diplomas in the Slane Student Center until 1:30 p.m. g Restrooms are available at the Hayworth Fine Arts Center, Couch Hall, Slane Student Center and beside Wrenn Hall. g Coffee and food will be available to purchase in the Slane Student Center. Bottled water will be available at the Promenade kiosk. g A photographer from GradImages is on site to take photographs of each candidate for graduation at their special moment of recognition. Proofs will be sent to your home and via email within 3 to 5 days after graduation. Pictures can be ordered online, by phone or by mail. GradImages can be contacted at 800-261-2576 or online at www.gradimages.com. g Photographing candidates for graduation during the Graduation Ceremony is permissible. The platform area is restricted and may not be used for photographs. Please be respectful of boundaries; they have been put in place to prevent injury. g First aid service is available during the Graduation Ceremony. Anyone in need of assistance should contact uniformed officers or visit the Information/Security Station located next to Finch Hall. Security can be reached at 336-841-9111.

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT 2018 8 HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY FACTS

g The traditional undergraduate program has grown from 1,450 g 96% of HPU graduates are employed or continue to in 2005 to a record high of 5,000 students in spring 2018. graduate school within six months of graduation. Nearly 90 percent of the traditional undergraduate students live on campus. g Several major projects are on the horizon at HPU. The university has broken ground on a new undergraduate sciences g HPU is recognized by the John Templeton Foundation in facility to accommodate growing majors in biology, chemistry its list of Colleges that Encourage Character Development. and physics. A $10 million gift will support the facility. The foundation highlights HPU’s emphasis on character Ground will be broken next year on the 257,000-square-foot development as an integral part of the undergraduate Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena, Conference Center and experience, including more than 100,000 hours of service Hotel. The arena will seat 4,500 people and will be home contributed annually by the HPU family. to the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The conference center will seat 2,500 individuals and have the ability to be subdivided into smaller venues with lighting, sound and video g The Princeton Review includes HPU in its annual “Best 382 for state-of-the-art presentations. Colleges” list, while also naming HPU one of the top 20 universities in the nation for Best Career Services (No. 19), Best-Run Colleges (No. 20) and Best College Dorm Rooms g HPU opened the doors to Cottrell Hall, home of the Flanagan (No. 7). In addition, the Princeton Review also named HPU Center for Student Success, in fall 2015. The two-story, a great school for business and communication majors, and its 43,000-square-foot building is a hub of experiential learning. game and interactive design program as one of the top 50 in It houses Career and Professional Development, the Center the nation. for Entrepreneurship, Study Abroad, Undergraduate Research and more. The facility was financed entirely by gifts from HPU parents. g The Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy welcomed its inaugural cohort in fall 2016 and is the Piedmont Triad’s only School of Pharmacy. The Congdon School of Health Sciences welcomed g Caffey Hall, a new 150,000-square-foot residential facility, the first cohort for physician assistant studies in 2015 and opened in the fall to accommodate HPU’s growing enrollment. will welcome the first physical therapy doctoral cohort this The $26 million facility houses 310 students near Cottrell summer. The state-of-the-art, 224,000-square-foot Congdon Hall. It is the 10th residential community HPU has added to Hall opened in fall 2017 to house these two academic schools, its campus since 2005. which serve the cornerstone of medical innovation on campus. g In April, High Point University hosted its annual Arbor Day g Graduates from the Class of 2018 achieved phenomenal Celebration. During the event, HPU was presented with the success in their four years. They are commencing careers at the “Tree Campus USA” award - a designation the university has NBA, General Electric, Gartner, Lenovo, Aerotek, IBM, Dell, received for nine consecutive years. Corning and many other impressive companies, along with prestigious graduate schools such as the University of Maryland g Through HPU’s annual Business Plan Competition, students Law School, the University of Leicester in England, Rollins are awarded thousands of dollars in start-up funds for College and Southern Methodist University. innovative concepts. Not only do students win venture capital, but they also benefit from the network of entrepreneur judges g HPU offers 49 undergraduate majors, 57 undergraduate who offer feedback and assistance as HPU students develop minors, 13 graduate-degree majors and one doctoral program. solid plans. The competition has awarded thousands of dollars to student-entrepreneurs since its launch in 2011. g HPU is a member of NCAA Division I athletics and has 16 varsity sports — eight men’s and eight women’s - as well as 24 g HPU’s In-Residence program connects students with global club sports. innovators. Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak serves as HPU’s Innovator in Residence. Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph g Tubby Smith, a Hall of Famer, NCAA Championship winning serves as Entrepreneur in Residence. Betty Liu, Bloomberg coach and HPU alumnus, was hired this spring to lead the anchor and the founder of Radiate, Inc., serves as Media men’s basketball team. Entrepreneur in Residence.

9 HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT 2018 57 1 50 36 13 40 53 41 23 14 21 38 17 55 HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY FACTS ...... ©Sketches, etc. 4.12.18 etc. ©Sketches, 38 37 35 ...... enter 36 C 34 o ll w H ak O 29 Steele Sports Center ...... Stout School of Education ...... Residential Community ...... Village Aldridge The University Residential Housing ...... Apartments ...... U-Ville Center and UC 2 ...... Wanek R.G. Sciences School of Undergraduate Wanek (Under Construction) . . Village Conference Center and Greek Webb Residence Hall ...... Wilson Stadium ...... Vert Athletic Center at Witcher Admissions Wrenn Building ...... Residence Hall ...... York 9 6 45 44 42 55 54 10 20 19 18 26 52 25 27 27 ...... 28 30 32 ...... 53 1 ......

and 46

31 ...... o ur s e 52 e stat C o pe s R HPU E ...... 26 25 North Apartments College Terrace North College Townhomes North College Court Residential Community . Norton Hall ...... Oak Hollow Center . Patriots Plaza ...... Phillips Hall ...... Commerce Building ...... Wilson Plato S. Apartments, 806 ...... Point Place Apartments, 812 ...... Point Place Apartments, 818 ...... Point Place Roberts Hall . Roberts Reflecting Pool ...... Slane Student Center ...... Smith Library ...... 33 5 7 2 4 24 23 11 48 46 37 28 32 22 57 31 43 43 ...... 54 5 2 42 4 18 22 6 12 44 19 51 17 45 21 ...... 16 3 7 20 8 Finch Honors Living Residence Hall ...... School of Pharmacy ...... Wilson Fred Hayworth Chapel . Arts Center ...... Hayworth Fine HPU Estate and Ropes Course ...... Ike Belk Track Kester International Promenade ...... Residence Halls . Yadkin Wesley, McEwen, North, Athletic and Convocation Center ...... Millis Millis Residence Hall ...... Arena and Conference Nido and Mariana Qubein Center (Proposed) ...... Nido R. Qubein School of Communication . Norcross Graduate School ...... North College Administration ...... 3 8 9 35 49 30 29 33 12 56 51 15 16 34 24 11

ill a ge ...... V 40 14 ...... 15 ldridge ...... A ...... 10 he T 56 ...... 13 ...... 41 ...... 41 ...... 50 49 48 Couch Hall Belk Residence Hall Blessing Residence Hall Caine Conservatory (Proposed) Centennial Square I Residential Community Centennial Square II Residential Community Congdon School of Health Sciences Caffey Residence Hall Caffey Cottrell Amphitheater Cottrell Hall: Home to the Flanagan Center for Student Success ...... Baseball Stadium Williard Coy O. David R. Hayworth Hall David R. Hayworth University Park Erath Baseball Field At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.®

One University Parkway,Department High Point, NC 27268 USA highpoint.edu