History of High Point University in Timeline

High Point University (HPU), located in High Point, North Carolina, is a private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1924 as High Point College, it gained university status in 1991. HPU provides a range of academic programs, including 66 undergraduate majors, 68 undergraduate minors, and 21 graduate majors.

1921: Methodist Protestant Church Voted to Establish a New College

In 1921, the Methodist Protestant Church voted to establish a new college and accepted the offer from the citizens of High Point.

September 14, 1924: High Point College Officially Opened

On September 14, 1924, High Point College officially opened with three buildings, nine faculty members, and 122 students. Yadkin College also closed its doors in 1924 and transferred its assets to High Point College.

1924: High Point College Founded

In 1924, High Point College was founded in High Point, North Carolina, affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

1932: Faculty Salaries Were Cut Due to the Great Depression

In 1932, faculty salaries were cut due to the Great Depression.

June 15, 1934: High Point College Declared Bankruptcy

On June 15, 1934, High Point College declared bankruptcy and reorganized to reduce its indebtedness.

October 9, 1991: High Point College Renamed High Point University

On October 9, 1991, High Point College officially changed its name to High Point University.

1991: High Point College Becomes High Point University

In 1991, High Point College officially became High Point University to reflect its expanded post-graduate degree programs.

1999: High Point University Joined NCAA Division I

In 1999, High Point University joined NCAA Division I.

2000: High Point University Joined NCAA Division I

In 2000, High Point University joined NCAA Division I.

2004: University Endowment Increased

By 2004, High Point University's endowment increased to $40 million.

2005: Nido Qubein Became President of High Point University

In 2005, Nido R. Qubein became president of High Point University, marking a period of significant growth for the institution.

2005: Expansion of Academic Schools at High Point University

Since 2005, High Point University has significantly expanded its academic offerings, growing from three academic schools to fourteen.

2006: Qubein Ranked Among Top Donor University Presidents

From 2006, Qubein was recognized as the third highest-donor university president in the country.

2009: Moody's Downgraded School Bonds to Junk Status

In 2009, Moody's Investors Service downgraded High Point University's bonds to junk status, citing the school's high leverage.

2010: University Announced Investment Plans

In 2010, High Point University announced plans to invest about $2.1 billion in overall growth over the next decade.

2010: Successful Season

The 2010-2011 season was the most successful since High Point University joined NCAA Division I. In the fall, the women's soccer team and women's volleyball team won Big South Tournaments and the men's soccer team won the Big South regular season.

2011: Successful Season

2012: Businessweek Reported on University Borrowing and Relationships

In early 2012, Businessweek reported that about $700 million in new building and campus upgrades was financed by heavy borrowing and questioned the university's relationships with lenders and vendors.

2013: Ron Wanek Donated $10 Million to HPU

In 2013, Ashley Furniture Industries Chairman Ron Wanek donated $10 million to High Point University.

2013: Shawn Sloan Picked in MLS Supplemental Draft

In 2013, Shawn Sloan, High Point University senior midfielder, was picked by the Columbus Crew in the MLS Supplemental Draft.

2013: Women's Lacrosse Assistant Coach Selected to Coach Israel National Lacrosse Team

In 2013, Women's lacrosse assistant coach Lauren Norris was selected to coach the 2013 Israel National Lacrosse Team in the 2013 FIL Women's World Cup.

2013: Field Hockey Team Qualified for National Tournament

In the fall of 2013, the High Point University field hockey team qualified for the national tournament in Virginia Beach with a 6-2-0 season.

2014: Dan Hauser Served as the HPU Athletic Director

Dan Hauser has served as the HPU athletic director since 2014.

April 2016: HPU Announced Plans to Invest in New Building Projects

In April 2016, High Point University announced plans to invest $160 million in new building projects.

April 19, 2016: Qubein Ranked Third Highest-Donor University President

The Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac of April 19, 2016, noted that Qubein was the third highest-donor university president in the country from 2006 to 2016.

2016: Christine Rickert Qualified for U.S. Olympic Team Trials

In 2016, Christine Rickert of the High Point University women's track and field team qualified to compete in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

2017: Plans Announced for New Basketball Arena and Conference Center

At the beginning of 2017, High Point University announced plans for a new basketball arena and conference center to be built on campus.

2018: Construction Began on the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center

Construction on the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center began in 2018.

2018: Tubby Smith Hired as Head Coach for Men's Basketball

In spring 2018, Orlando 'Tubby' Smith was hired as the Panthers' head coach for men's basketball.

2019: Ranked #5 in the nation for Best College Dorm Rooms

In 2019, The Princeton Review ranked High Point University #5 in the nation for Best College Dorm Rooms.

2020: The Caine Conservatory Opened

In the spring of 2020, the Caine Conservatory opened to support botanical research and the growth of HPU's arboretum and gardens.

2020: Projected Opening of The Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center

The facility was originally projected to open in 2020, but construction was delayed due to COVID-19 issues.

September 2021: The Qubein Center Opened

The facility opened in late September 2021, with the first basketball game to be played on November 4.

2021: Division I Athletic Department Won 13 of 16 Possible Conference Championships

In the spring of 2021, the Division I athletic department won 13 of 16 possible conference championships. Led by a 2nd round appearance by the men's soccer team in the NCAA Tournament.

June 2023: University Placed on Warning Status by Accreditor

In June 2023, High Point University was placed on Warning status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, its educational accreditor, due to non-compliance with accreditation standards.

May 1, 2024: Madison Crowell Decided to Attend High Point University

On May 1, 2024, Madison Crowell, a senior from Liberty County High School, decided to attend High Point University after receiving nearly $15 million in scholarships and being accepted into 231 colleges.

June 2024: Warning Status Continued

In June 2024, the Warning status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools was continued for High Point University.

2024: Top 50 Undergraduate Game Design Programs

For the third consecutive year, The Princeton Review ranked HPU's game design program as one of the Top 50 Undergraduate Game Design Programs in the country in 2024.

2024: Recognized as a College of Distinction

High Point University has been recognized as a College of Distinction for the 2024–25 academic year, marking the 14th consecutive year that HPU has received the honor.

2024: New Dental School Established

In 2024, HPU received a $32 million gift to establish the Workman School of Dental Medicine, set to welcome its first students.

2024: Workman School of Dental Medicine and the Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law Will Have Their First Classes

Workman School of Dental Medicine and the Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law will have their first classes in 2024.

2025: Earned No. 1 Rankings in U.S. News & World Report

High Point University earned three No. 1 rankings in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 "Best Colleges" edition. HPU was named the No. 1 Best Regional College in the South for the 13th consecutive year, the No. 1 Most Innovative Regional College in the South for the 10th consecutive year and the No. 1 Best Undergraduate Teaching for Regional Colleges in the South for a second consecutive year.