A college that loves America — imagine that

Imagine if American universities taught students to love our country despite its imperfections or instilled the idea that the United States is the greatest country in the world regardless of its flaws. How might this perspective change the trajectory of our nation?

These are the questions on my mind after returning from taking my oldest son to college in North Carolina last weekend. For parents who have lived through this experience, it brings quite the mixture of emotions — happy for them and proud of them, yet sad for you as your children embark on their own journeys.

Over the last two years of exploring colleges with my son, I was constantly reminded of the problems plaguing many campuses across the country. The media coverage of higher education is filled with reports of campus violence, encampments, antisemitism, and divisive curricula.

Our last college visit was at High Point University in North Carolina. It wasn’t on our list and my son wasn’t excited about visiting, but after a two-hour tour, he was convinced it was the school for him. 

There are many aspects of the school that stand out and apart from most universities, but the single most compelling aspect are the school’s values. High Point University is an unapologetically proud God, family, and country institution.

Everyone on campus — from students to faculty to maintenance and food service staff to the administration — embraces these values. By far, High Point’s biggest cheerleader is the university’s president and alumni, Nido Qubein who emigrated to the United States when he was 18 with nothing to his name. Every time he speaks to students and parents, he reminds them that America is the greatest country in the world despite its imperfections. He challenges students to work hard to improve our nation.

Qubein’s charismatic optimism is contagious — the campus is one of the happiest, most intentional places I have ever visited. Throughout the school selection and admission process, I visited High Point five different times, and each time I had the same experience.

The school’s motto and Qubein’s personal belief is “choose to be extraordinary.” The entire campus is designed to support that sentiment, resulting in an incredibly intentional setting.

For example, the campus is idyllic and creates a safe and inspiring environment with quotes on the sidewalks and bronze statues on benches of impactful people. Classical music plays outside for students to hear as they walk to classes, and live music is performed in the cafeterias. 

High Point University boasts it’s the top life skills university in the country. Students are assigned success coaches and mentors to ensure a higher than average job placement post graduation. Experienced leaders, including Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, Cynt Marshall, former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, and Marc Randoph, co-founder of Netflix, serve as entrepreneurs-in-residence, teaching seminars and mentoring students. 

The Princeton Review ranked High Point as the best-run college in America for the second consecutive year. 

As a parent sending my child to college, I want to know that the values we instilled in him will be reinforced and not denigrated. I have talked with countless parents and grandparents who lament that their children and grandchildren returned from college dismissive of their family’s values. While college should be an opportunity for students to spread their wings and learn to think independently and critically, they should not lose sight of their fundamental beliefs.

High Point welcomes parents with open arms and respects them as the people responsible for raising such wonderful students and creating the opportunity to attend college. He reminds students to thank their parents for being their biggest cheerleader and for the sacrifices they made to get to this point. 

Move-in weekend culminated with a convocation ceremony for students and their families. During the two hours, I reflected on what a wonderful decision our son made to attend this extraordinary university. I cried some during the ceremony and certainly more on the ride home and the days following, but the tears were for me — not my son.

He is going to receive a world-class education in an environment filled with love, not hate. He will never encounter an encampment blocking his way to class. He will feel safe every day and will be reminded to respect and love his parents and his country.

At such a divisive time in our nation’s history, we need optimistic, hopeful, and happy young adults who acknowledge our country’s flaws while celebrating its greatness.

Universities have the power to save America. Sadly, some are focused on the wrong message and the wrong issues. You cannot fix something that you hate. If we truly want to improve our country, we have to love it first. 

I commend High Point University for their unwavering commitment to values that will positively shape our next generation of leaders. Maybe these graduates armed with knowledge, life skills, and love in their hearts will heal and save our country.

Beth Ann Rosica resides in West Chester, has a Ph.D. in Education, and has dedicated her career to advocating on behalf of at-risk children and families. She is a proud parent of a High Point University freshman. She covers education issues for Broad + Liberty. Contact her at barosica@broadandliberty.com.