HIGH POINT, N.C. -- At High Point University, there's an old saying that rings true: if you build it, they will come. And that's working at HPU.
The university's $2 billion investment is breathing new life into the campus; adding more than 100 new state of the art buildings and just this week, the university welcomed its largest freshman class.
With all the success at HPU, WFMY News 2's Tracey McCain wanted to find out the secret to the university's success and how one man loyal to High Point is taking strategies from the growth at the university and applying it to a bigger goal.
High Point University president, Dr. Nido Qubein believes in the American dream and the principals of hard work.
"America is a place you can achieve your goals if you are working hard enough and you are smart enough, in spite of all the difficulties and the challenges that the individuals and families will meet," said Qubein.
It's that attitude that's driving new development at High Point University.
Dr. Qubein has added 100 new buildings since becoming the university's president 13 years ago. And now with a new school of engineering on the way, the campus grows more attractive to students from around the world.
With 500 acres of purchased land and a new hotel, conference center and arena on the way, High Point University is thriving.
"Yes, I know people are amazed sometimes by our growth, but we work hard at it. We have a clear vision and we have a solid strategy," said Qubein.
With the success at HPU, the man with the so-called "Midas touch" is bringing that winning strategy to another big development project: baseball in High Point.
"There is energy in High Point, there is excitement in High Point and I believe we are on the right track, doing the right things at the right time in the right way,: said Qubein.
And with the right amount of dollars. Dr. Qubein has been able to raise $100 million towards the city's goal to build a stadium, children's museum, and entertainment hub for families to enjoy. He says the overall downtown facelift stands to turn the city around.
"High Point has suffered measurably; the whole Triad has suffered measurably, as we lost so many jobs, something like 90,000 jobs over the years. But now we are coming back and we are making good things happen."
But with a recent spike in gang activity and violence threatening the city's 180 turn, the spin to get people back downtown is even more challenging. So far this year, there have been 14 murders in High Point, more than half of them involved gangs and many of them remain unsolved. It's not the headline the city needs as it looks to reenergize its downtown.
"People like energy, people like activity, people like safe environments, in which the whole family can be engaged. That's what we're trying to do in High Point. We are trying to say baseball is not about baseball. It's about fellowship, it's about coming together and having a nice afternoon together as a family," says Qubein.
Qubein, who is also the co-chairman of the Piedmont Triad Partnership says baseball will bring hundreds of jobs to the city and promises to bring families back to downtown for the experience.
"I'm hoping to see around this baseball stadium all kind of activity that people can go and spend time and see their neighbors and enjoy festivals," said Qubein. "What I hope this will do for the city of High point is elevate our sense of pride that when we are proud about the city in which we reside, all of a sudden good things will begin to happen."