Renowned author Wes Moore speaks to HPU students

By Ryan, October 1, 2015

By Mayeesa Mitchell, Staff Writer//

During his visit to High Point University on Sept. 21, Wes Moore, a Rhodes scholar, combat veteran, New York Times bestselling author and social entrepreneur, spoke on sentiments from his book, “The Work: A Search for a Life That Matters.”
Moore writes “Maybe we all ask the question the wrong way. Maybe the question isn’t ‘What do I want to do with my life?’ but ‘Who do I want to be? What contribution do I want to make?’”
Moore first sat down with HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein in the Hayworth Fine Arts Center to answer questions about the experiences that have led him to lead a life that keeps him interested, engaged and passionate.
He then made his way to the Millis Athletic and Convocation Center where thousands of HPU students were waiting to hear from the man they had learned so much about through his book.
Moore’s book was selected as a part of the 2015-2016 Common Experience, a yearlong intellectual discussion based on a university value that unites first year students in the classroom, in their residence halls and through select campus activities.
This year’s theme, “Just Communities,” has challenged not only first-year students but the entire campus to explore how communities decide what is just, and as a result discuss how communities are formed, changed and given rights.
“The Work: A Search for a Life That Matters” plays a part in the Common Experience as the common read because it serves as a starting point for discussion on the Common Experience theme.
While at HPU, Moore discussed his experiences growing up in Bronx, New York, going to military school in rural Pennsylvania, being a combat soldier in Afghanistan, working as an investment banker in London and helping to change policy in Washington, D.C.
Although he learned from every experience, Moore did not find his passion until he became a social entrepreneur by starting organizations like BridgeEdU, a company that partners with local universities to restructure how the freshman year is administered in efforts to increase the number of students completing their first year in college.
First-year students like G.R. Dulac, who participated in the Common Read Summer Blog, have been able to reflect on the experiences that are leading them to finding their passions.
“My passion expands beyond just social justice; my passion is really just in helping others,” said Dulac. “I am blessed to have a job teaching tennis to six to 10 year olds, and although they can tire me out fast, nothing feels better at the end of a long work day than realizing that I have helped them with their strokes and furthered their development as tennis players.”
As students left the Millis Athletic and Convocation Center, some were discussing Moore’s exciting life experiences and his inspirational talk, while others discussed how their college experience at HPU will play a part in helping them find their passion.
First-year student Lyndsey Clos was able to connect the lessons in Moore’s book with her new experiences at HPU.
“Although I do believe college is an opportunity to thrive, I also think it’s an opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zones,” said Clos. “College is full of classes, activities and people. I’ve never been much of an outgoing person, but stepping out of my own comfort zone is one of my biggest goals within the next 4 years.”