HPU Faculty and Staff Fulfill Christmas Wish Lists for Local Families
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Dec 20th, 2023

HPU Faculty and Staff Fulfill Christmas Wish Lists for Local Families

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Deans of various HPU academic schools and members of the Academic Leadership Council participated in Operation Elf to help local nonprofits provide Christmas gifts for families served by Family Services of the Piedmont, Family Services of Davidson County and the Guilford County Family Justice Center.

HIGH POINT, N.C., Dec. 20, 2023 – With Christmas only days away, High Point University faculty and staff in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication (NQSC) partnered with deans of other academic schools and members of the Academic Leadership Council to help local nonprofits provide Christmas gifts for families with children through their 11th annual Operation Elf tradition.

This year, two groups raised funds and purchased gifts for 15 families served by Family Services of the Piedmont, Family Services of Davidson County and the Guilford County Family Justice Center. The families they helped include 30 children. The gifts included toys, books, clothes, personal items, sports equipment and gift cards.

Pictured are High Point University faculty and staff in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, who partnered with deans of other academic schools and members of the Academic Leadership Council, to help local nonprofits provide Christmas gifts for families in need through their 11th annual Operation Elf tradition. They were joined by sport management major Brian Margolis, center, who heard about their effort and purchased gifts for children.
Pictured are High Point University faculty and staff in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, who partnered with deans of other academic schools and members of the Academic Leadership Council, to help local nonprofits provide Christmas gifts for families in need through their 11th annual Operation Elf tradition. They were joined by sport management major Brian Margolis, center, who heard about their effort and purchased gifts for children.

Dr. Nahed Eltantawy, associate dean of the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, said she enjoys the tradition of helping families who face difficult times because she knows it makes their holidays easier. NQSC faculty, staff and adjuncts were joined by Brian Margolis, a sport management student who heard about their Operation Elf effort and ran to buy gifts to fulfill wish lists. Students in the game development club bought two PlayStation 5 game controllers for two brothers.

“Christmas is a season of celebration and giving, but some find themselves in tough spots where the magic is harder to see,” said Dr. Bobby Hayes, chair of HPU’s journalism and sports media department. “Being able to bring joy and a bit of magic back into the picture is one of the best moments of the year for many of us.”

Emma Sechrest of Family Services of Davidson County, left, receives a few of the gifts from HPU faculty, staff and student Brian Margolis, right, who helped make the holidays better for families in need.
Emma Sechrest of Family Services of Davidson County, left, receives a few of the gifts from HPU faculty, staff and student Brian Margolis, right, who helped make the holidays better for families in need.

Dr. Jenny Lukow, department chair of sport management, agreed it is heartening every year to see colleagues come together to help families served by the Family Justice Center and Family Services.

“The NQSC has truly taken to heart the meaning of the holidays by coordinating this effort so that we can make connections with those in the community and provide a helping hand to those who might need it,” Lukow said. “I’m so proud to work in the NQSC and with such thoughtful and compassionate colleagues.”

This year, NQSC professors recruited the deans of HPU’s other academic schools and members of the Academic Leadership Council to help, too. Those leaders included Mark Martin, dean of the Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law; Dr. Catherine Heyman, dean of the School of Optometry; Ken Elston, dean of the School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences; Virginia McDermott, dean of the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication; Michael Oudshoorn, dean of the Webb School of Engineering; Provost Dr. Daniel Erb; Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Angela Bauer; and Director of Library Services David Bryden, who bought the wish lists for another five families, which include 10 children.

“Helping out the kids from the Family Justice Center is about knowing that those children might have a few more smiles on their faces and, maybe, feel a little warmer playing and getting to school,” said Elston. “It is about knowing that their parents can enjoy those moments with a little less stress on their hearts, and the spirit of Christmas has been given another chance to grow.”