90 year anniversary celebration: How HPU came to be
By James Ensor, News and Layout Editor //
To build a college is no easy task. Time, money and dedication are just a few of the many components required to start a higher education institution.
Some people only know High Point University as it is today, while others know HPU as it was in its early years—High Point College.
High Point College opened its doors on September 14, 1924 with a mission to provide Christian higher education in North Carolina.
At the time the Methodists only had one other institution in North Carolina, Yadkin College. Although Yadkin was categorized as a college, it provided more of a preparatory education than a true college education.
Joseph F. McCulloch was the primary organizer of the movement to establish another Methodist college in North Carolina.
After much planning, McCulloch was able to find funding for the college from J. C. Roberts who donated $10,000 to help make McCulloch’s dream a reality.
When the doors of High Point College opened for the first time there were three buildings on campus: Roberts Hall, Woman’s Hall and McCulloch. Roberts Hall housed everything from offices to classrooms to the auditorium and even the cafeteria.
The Great Depression challenged the life of the college with an array of financial hardships. A rule was established that no buildings were to be built until the original buildings were paid off.
Those three original buildings stood alone until 1933 when the school found the funds to build a gymnasium.
In 1938 an athletic stadium was added which included a football field and running track. The following year baseball, tennis and soccer fields were added as well.
At this time not only was the campus expanding physically, but also educationally.
When the school first opened, its curriculum focused on one degree, the Bachelor of Arts. Ten majors were originally offered but the school saw very little growth in its educational program until Gideon I. Humphreys presided as President of the College.
During Humphreys’ time at the College he added numerous faculty members and academic programs.
After Humphreys stepped down as President, the Board of Trustees made it clear that they wanted a President with experience in the field of education, as opposed to the College’s first two Presidents who were both ministers.
After much debate, the Board of Trustees chose Dennis H. Cooke to be the third President of High Point College in 1949.
During Cooke’s presidency the College was accredited by the University Senate of the Methodist Church.
At the same time, the endowment doubled, new buildings were completed and the faculty increased in size as well as quality.
Cooke resigned as President in 1959 in order to become a full-time faculty member. Before leaving, Cooke urged the Board to find a president with fundraising capabilities.
Wendell M. Patton became the next President of High Point College.
Patton clearly outlined a blueprint for the growth and expansion that he wanted to see the College go through. Many referred to this time as the “Golden Decade” because of the funds that were raised.
In this short period of time over $5.1 million was raised which allowed the College to increase its endowment and increase its income.
During this time there was also a push to build more residence halls as well as expand the campus grounds.
Patton started the movement to develop the college and go beyond what was imaginable. The College continued to expand even after Patton was gone. However in 1985 the school saw little growth.
Jacob C. Martinson, Jr., became President in 1985 with the goal of substantial reform.
The National Commission on the Future of High Point College proposed a 10-year plan that would improve academics by combining liberal arts coursework and professional preparedness, as well as renovating existing buildings on campus as well as the construction of new buildings.
The plan proved to be a success on both grounds of physical and academic growth.
It wasn’t until October 9, 1991 that the Board decided to change the name of the school from High Point College to High Point University. This name change primarily reflected the post-graduate degree programs that were offered as well as the overall growth of the University.
Following the name change, the University continued to grow as it started to form into the school that it is today.
In 2005 Dr. Nido R. Qubein became the seventh President of High Point University.
Since becoming the President, Qubein has raised _______ and has ultimately propelled the University into its most healthy stage yet.
Although no one knows what HPU will be like in the next 90 years, Qubein is convinced that it will be even better than it is now.
“90 years from now we will be stronger, more expansive in academic programs and with a national prominence that invites admiration of the best institutions and continued advocacy of parents and alumni,” Dr. Nido Qubein, President, said. “I don’t expect we would grow enrollment in a huge way; we like being a mid size school with small classes taught only by faculty.”