Erskine Bowles, an American businessman and political leader, visited High Point University’s campus on Dec. 5 to learn more about HPU’s extraordinary transformation under the leadership of HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. 

Bowles has served in numerous nationally and globally impactful roles, including former director of the Small Business Administration, White House Chief of Staff for former President Bill Clinton, and president of the 17 campus University of North Carolina system from 2005-10. During his time on campus, Bowles toured the university, visited state-of-the-art classrooms and learning facilities, and joined groups of faculty and students for lunch. 

“I’ve heard so much about High Point University, and I wanted to see it for myself,” said Bowles. “What you all have here at HPU is special, and the university is preparing you to succeed.” 

Bowles also had lunch with several HPU students and faculty during his visit, where he learned more about the opportunities the university provides, answered questions and shared his wisdom and experience. For example, he shared insight regarding the first balanced budget in a generation that he and Alan Simpson, a Republican senator at the time, negotiated and came together to present. 

“Negotiation and working with others are important skills you need in your life,” Bowles told the students. “In working with people of different viewpoints, you must first establish an agreed set of facts. You must first say, ‘Here are these facts we can all agree on. Now let’s move forward from there.’”  

“HPU attracts leaders of the highest caliber, and Mr. Bowles is another example,” said Qubein. “The experience HPU students have interacting with global leaders and change agents such as Mr. Bowles on a regular basis is transformational.”  

Hannah Parson, a junior political science and English major who is chief justice of the HPU Student Government Association, said she was honored to have lunch with Bowles. 

“Upon meeting him, he was immediately welcoming and willing to share about his biggest takeaways from his many successful experiences,” said Parson. “I will always carry his definition of core leadership qualities: humanism, prioritizing truth and work ethic, and I hope to display these characteristics myself. Along with these, Mr. Bowles emphasized the importance of learning, earning and serving. It was great to be surrounded by Dr. Qubein, dedicated faculty, and motivated students while being encouraged by how Mr. Bowles has exercised all three of these entities in his life, as well as while sharing more about our amazing university.” 

Journalism major Grant Hines said it was an extraordinary opportunity to be able to soak in all the business tips Bowles shared. 

“Getting to meet Mr. Erskine Bowles was the honor of a lifetime,” said Hines. “Hearing his breadth of experience excited me because I imagined all the possibilities for careers after HPU. He made me realize that I don’t need a master plan, but rather just a passion. Overall, I was glad to share the same leadership values with Mr. Bowles, remembering that ‘humanity and a love for the truth’ guided him in his career.” 

Joe Maronski, a senior journalism and political science major, described having lunch with Bowles as another example of the extraordinary opportunities HPU provides. 

“Hearing from someone who is doing, and has done, what you love is not only educational, but inspiring,” said Maronski. “Mr. Bowles obviously has an impressive resume, but he has an even more impressive personality, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to have lunch with him. I wish I could say that this was a once in a lifetime experience, but at HPU, experiences like this happen every day.”