A GOOD EDUCATION IS VALUABLE by William Reed Columnist

Nido R. Qubein is a businessman operating as an educator who has gained nationwide fame using an adage: “The time is now. The person is you.” Qubein is the 7^th president of High Point University (HPU).  During his six-year tenure, High Point University has gained ranking among the “Top 100 Colleges in the Nation” by US News and World Report.  Currently Qubein is making moves to ensure more minorities join this 92-year-old school’s student body and faculty.

 

Qubein is a businessman who became an educator. The liberal arts institution he heads in High Point and Winston-Salem, N.C., educates approximately 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students from 51 countries and 46 states.  Qubein says that his works are “guided by the benefits of a good education,” and that “at High Point University every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.”

 

Qubein is noteworthy as an American “rags to riches” success story. He arrived in America when he was 17, with just $50 in his pocket. He knows that a good education is key to a successful life. Qubein says:  “The more education you have means more money, greater employment options and better job security.” On average, a college degree is worth an extra $23,000 a year and occupations that require a bachelor’s degree are projected to grow the fastest, nearly twice as fast as the national average for all occupations.

 

Qubein’s goal is to turn HPU into one of the nation’s premiere, and diverse, college campuses. “We are a university fully dedicated to continually enhancing our academic programs” Qubein said in an interview. He thinks his school is an ideal environment for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, because “we are focused on holistic education and values-based living.”

 

Since he has been at the helm, Qubein has directed a total transformation and enhanced the reputation of HPU.  His fundraising has led to a $100 million investment in campus construction and renovation. Eleven new buildings are under construction on campus and 13 additional structures are being completely renovated.  A campus highlight is the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, a state-of-the-art 58,000-square-foot building with television production and recording studios, editing suites, computer labs, a theatre-screening room, observation decks and an incredible games and interactive communications development studio.

 

Qubein was born in 1948, the son of a Lebanese mother and a Jordanian father. Shortly after his birth his father became ill; he died when Nido was only six. Fifty years later, Qubein serves as advisor to some of America’s leading corporations. He is chairman of Great Harvest Bread Company, serves on the BB&T Board of Directors, the La-Z-Boy Corporation and Dots Stores, LLC. Qubein is a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award for Distinguished Americans and has also received High Point’s “Citizen of the Year” award.

 

As a college president, Qubein has etched out a reputation for “excellence” that should strike a chord with potential students and their parents. In an on-campus interview, Qubein said, “We work wholeheartedly to prepare our students for the ever-changing, highly competitive, global village in which they must excel.” He emphasizes that “High Point University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.” Its policy is to recruit, retain and promote the most outstanding students, faculty and staff possible, regardless of an individual’s race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, national origin or disability.

 

During our interview, Qubein pointed out that applications are currently being accepted for the Bob Brown Scholarship for potential HPU students who reside in the greater High Point area. The Bob Brown Scholarship was established to recognize the life and service of Robert J. Brown, an African-American HPU Trustee and founder of B&C Associates, a consulting group. Brown also served as a major advisor during the Nixon administration. The scholarship provides $5,000 annually, renewable for four consecutive years. (The University’s Financial Planning Department will assist the recipient in securing additional financial aid in order to meet the school’s annual tuition and associated fees.)

(William Reed is available for speaking/seminar projects via BaileyGroup.org)

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William Reed Columnist