Center for Student Success construction overview
By Deanna Lee, Staff Writer //
In the last decade, High Point University has invested nearly $1 billion in expanding the campus to accommodate for large growth and new academic programs.
The original 92-acre college has grown to a 320-acre university that is constantly changing.
Since 2005, HPU has had a significant increase in undergraduate enrollment and faculty, which means more housing and more buildings where faculty are introducing new curriculum.
HPU focuses on providing its students with the best education possible. Its growth shows not only that HPU is dedicated to its students, but that it provides a caring environment dedicated to student success.
The new Center for Student Success is another reflection of that committment. Its construction site is located on Fifth Street behind the Wanek Center, and it is a new addition to campus that will continue to help students succeed. A recent tour of the site by the Campus Chronicle staff gave an overview of the many offerings inside the facility.
“It is a one-stop resource center for students during and after their time on campus,” said Dr. Nido Qubein, HPU president. “It is a state-of-the-art facility housing offices for internship, career services, entrepreneurship, study abroad, service learning, undergraduate research and much more.”
The $16 million building is being paid for by committed parents of current students dedicated to assisting in the growth of the university. Parents such as Michael and Laura Baur have already donated $1 million to the center’s construction, along with many other families.
The building spreads across 45,000 square feet with a cupola roof sitting 122 feet high.
“The biggest challenge has been the structural complexity of the dome and cupola,” said Jason Sweet, assistant director of construction and renovation. “Because of the size of the dome, there has been a greater need for our engineer’s to review and test the structure which has resulted in modifications that have required additional design and installation hours.”
The projected completion date for the Center for Student Success is set to be somewhere between May and June, just in time for it to be fully operational for the fall semester.
There will be a two-story Starbucks inside with lounge areas to relax, chat with friends and also get some work. This Starbucks will replace the one located on the first floor of Wanek Center, which will be replaced by a Jamba Juice.
The building will provide many areas that both students and faculty will be able to take advantage of, such as the large conference and meeting rooms, open work environments, presentation rooms and a few classrooms as well.
It will be the go-to place for students in search of assistance in career development, job interview preparation and more generally speaking, career skill expansion.