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Sunday, September 8, 2024

NCtrend: The $10 million club

High Point University’s growth is one of academia’s most intriguing stories. Nido Qubein, president since 2005, has raised $1.2 billion at a Methodist-affiliated liberal-arts college that now attracts students from 48 states and 52 other countries, while ranking first among colleges in the South in three categories measured by U.S. News & World Report: best regional (South), best for veterans and most innovative. During the last decade, High Point received at least $1 million from more than 50 individuals and families, including 13 contributing $10 million or more. Here are 10 big givers; one donor requested anonymity, while two others were parents’ groups.

— Ogi Overman

 

 

Earl and Kitty Congdon — Earl Congdon is executive chairman of Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., a Thomasville-based trucking company with10,000 employees. (Congdon School of Health Sciences)

David R. Hayworth — Brothers David R. and Charles E. Hayworth Jr. owned Hayworth Furniture Industries, once High Point’s largest employer. (David R. Hayworth College of Arts and Sciences, David R. Hayworth Park and David R. Hayworth Hall)

Charles E. Hayworth Jr. and Pauline Hayworth — Charles and his wife, Pauline, have focused their philanthropy on fine arts and higher education. (Charles E. Hayworth Sr. Memorial Chapel)

James H. and Jesse E. Millis — James H. “Jimmy” Millis was CEO of sock-maker Adams-Millis Corp., which was acquired by Sara Lee Corp. for $80 million in 1988. (James H. and Jesse E. Millis Athletic and Convocation Center and Millis residence hall)

Mark A. Norcross — Norcross was founder and chief executive officer of Mark David Inc., a furniture manufacturer acquired by Kohler Co. in 2008. (Norcross Graduate School)

Nido and Mariana Qubein — In addition to heading High Point University, Qubein is chairman of the 240-store Great Harvest Bread Co. (Nido R. Qubein School of Communication)

Ron and Joyce Wanek — The Waneks own Arcadia, Wis.-based Ashley Furniture Industries Inc., the world’s largest furniture manufacturer and the largest U.S. furniture retailer. (Wanek Center)

Todd and Karen Wanek — Todd Wanek, son of Ron and Joyce, became CEO of Ashley Furniture in 2002.

Fred Wilson — Wilson is chairman of High Point-based Piedmont Chemical Industries Inc., with five plants in the Carolinas and Tennessee. (Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy)

Plato S. Wilson — A legendary furniture manufacturers’ representative, Plato Wilson was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 2004.  (Plato S. Wilson School of Commerce)

 

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