The largest number of graduates in HPU history will cross the Commencement stage.

Who: High Point University’s Commencement Celebration for the Class of 2023 will honor HPU’s largest ever graduating class. The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, a renowned philanthropist, accomplished woman entrepreneur and former U.S. Ambassador to Finland, will deliver the High Point University Commencement address on Saturday, May 6. Ambassador McElveen-Hunter is the first woman to chair the American Red Cross. She is also the president and CEO of Pace Communications, the largest independently owned custom content agency in the nation, serving Fortune 500 and leading companies including Wells Fargo, Four Seasons Hotels, Verizon and hundreds of others.

What: High Point University is committed to honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2023 with several unique traditions (see below).

When: Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. 

Where: The Roberts Hall Lawn on the HPU campus. The ceremony will be live-streamed. In case of rain, the Graduation Ceremony for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science candidates will be held in the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena.

Why: High Point University will host more than 14,000 visitors during Commencement Weekend, May 5-6. The annual event is a time for HPU students and families to celebrate the academic achievements of graduates and experience offerings throughout the city of High Point, North Carolina.

More than 1,350 degrees will be conferred this spring, the largest number ever.

Each year, Clark the bald eagle soars over the graduates at the end of the ceremony to symbolize the ideals of free enterprise, independence and the ability to pursue new opportunities in America.

Special surprise:HPU graduates will receive a blanket after the ceremony to give to their mothers or mother figures in honor of Mother’s Day, which is on May 14.

Additional Commencement exercises during the weekend include“Onward with Faithful Courage,”a senior send-off with HPU President Nido Qubein, and abaccalaureate serviceat Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, both on Friday, May 6.