HPU Hosts More Than 8,000 Visitors for Fall Family Weekend
Pictured is HPU President Nido Qubein as he gave a University Update to families.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 26, 2024 – High Point University’s campus and the local community were filled with the energy and excitement of families joining in on the celebration during HPU’s annual Fall Family Weekend from Sept. 20-22.
HPU welcomed more than 8,000 visitors for the three-day event, which allows students and their families time to experience everything the university and the city of High Point have to offer. The influx of visitors generated nearly $2.2 million in business for local restaurants, hotels and retail shops over the weekend.
“HPU Family Weekend is another immediate boost to our visitor economy just one month after students have settled on campus and in our community,” said Melody Burnett, president of Visit High Point. “Our hospitality partners such as restaurants, retail and lodging will feel a direct economic impact of $2,199,695 that benefits our entire city. Area businesses enjoy the relationship that they have with the university that profits them year-round.”
During the weekend, HPU families had fun at the Panther Palooza concert, featuring the Australian Bee Gees and an Elton John tribute band, inside the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena. They enjoyed the University Update from HPU President Nido Qubein, a Centennial presentation, a Dean’s List reception, student performances and athletic events. They also participated in a 5K family fun run, visited the Nido and Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum and more.
“Our faculty and staff pulled off another delightful weekend for our parents and their students,” Qubein said. “They are thrilled to be a part of the HPU family, and they are advocating for our university everywhere they go. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet and spend time with so many families, and I found myself running from one great program to the next over the weekend.”
Family weekend is a special time for all HPU students, said HPU Student Government Association President Ben Niehaus, a senior honors scholar and finance major from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
“None of us would be here without our parents, and it is great to be able to take a weekend off everything else to spend quality time with our parents,” Niehaus said. “I love being able to introduce my parents to faculty and staff who have poured into me. After spending almost four years with certain faculty and staff, it is such a great experience to have my school family meet my home family. I love that High Point University rolls out all the stops for our parents because they recognize the value of family.”
