High Point University (HPU) honored graduate students at its Commencement Ceremony for doctoral and master's students on April 30, held in the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. The event marked a significant milestone in the university's history, reflecting substantial growth in graduate degree programs, particularly in health-related fields, communication, and business leadership.
Record Number of Degrees Conferred
HPU is expected to confer more than 1,700 undergraduate and graduate degrees during the 2025-2026 academic year, the highest number in the university's 102-year history. Approximately 300 graduate students were recognized at the Graduate Commencement Ceremony, which included doctoral degrees in education, medical sciences, and pharmacy. Additional ceremonies are held throughout the year for other graduate programs, such as physical therapy and physician assistant studies, as well as a December Commencement.
President Nido Qubein Welcomes Graduates
HPU President Nido Qubein addressed the graduates and their families, emphasizing the special nature of the day. "Today's a very special day in the lives of our graduates and their families," he said. "At High Point University, we've always guided and encouraged you to live a life of success and significance. Today, we're sending you off with a Commencement speaker who personifies both of those ideas."
Cisco Systems CEO Encourages Graduates
Dr. Qubein introduced Chuck Robbins, chair and CEO of Cisco Systems, who delivered the Commencement address. Robbins, who has held several leadership roles during his more than 25 years at the Fortune 500 company, was appointed CEO in 2015 and elected as chair two years later. Before his speech, Qubein presented Robbins with an Honorary Doctorate of Business Leadership.
"Over the course of my career, everything has changed," Robbins said. "I've seen the advent of the internet, which at the time felt as explosive as artificial intelligence does today. And it was. I've seen it shift to mobile, the explosion of the cloud and everything in between. Industries have been entirely transformed, and new opportunities that none of us could have predicted have emerged."
Robbins noted that the professional world graduates are entering will be shaped by a once-in-a-lifetime technology transition. He told the audience that AI has arrived, is moving fast, and will fundamentally change everything during this critical turning point.
The Graduate Commencement Ceremony is the first of three Commencement Ceremonies held on campus this week, celebrating the achievements of HPU's growing graduate programs.
