Why I like Nido Quebin....

HIGH POINT, N.C., Jan. 23, 2006 - The president of High Point University, Nido Qubein, has been selected as one of the 2006 recipients of the Horatio Alger Award and will be inducted as a lifetime member into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans during two days of formal ceremonies in April at the Supreme Court and Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

The award honors individuals who have overcome adversity and humble beginnings, and have gone on to achieve success. Recipients were selected from hundreds of nominations.

Qubein came to this country as a teenager with $50, no contacts and little knowledge of English, but worked his way up to becoming one of America's leading business consultants, a best selling author, internationally known speaker and successful entrepreneur. (WHY I LIKE NIDO!)

"I am honored to have been selected for this prestigious award," said Qubein. "I have learned that without adversity there is no triumph; it is difficult to achieve success without first overcoming the obstacles that stand in your way."

Each year since 1947, 10 distinguished persons have been selected for induction as members of the organization. Among the 285 living members are poet Maya Angelou, former Senator Robert J. Dole, boxing legend George Foreman, the Rev. Billy Graham, entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga, former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and media-mogul Oprah Winfrey.

Joining Qubein and that prestigious list are this year’s other award winners: Kenneth Eugene Behring, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Wheelchair Foundation; Doris K. Christopher, Founder and CEO, The Pampered Chef; Peter M. Dawkins, US Army, Retired and Vice Chairman, Citigroup Private Banking; J. R. "Rick" Hendrick, III,Owner, Hendrick Motorsports & Hendrick Automotive Group; Harold F. "Gerry" Lenfest, President, The Lenfest Group and The Lenfest Foundation; Boone Pickens, Chairman, BP Capital Management; David E. Ritchie, Chairman of the Board, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers; and Anthony J. Terlato, Chairman, Terlato Wine Group.

“The lives of each of these exceptional individuals provide wonderful examples of the tradition of proving that hard work, perseverance, and integrity are the cornerstones upon which success in our great nation and the realization of success are built,” said Dennis R. Washington, president and CEO of the Horatio Alger Association.

Horatio Alger members mentor young people and sponsor over $8.5 million in need-based college scholarships awarded annually to high school seniors who have proven their ability to overcome adversity and want to pursue higher education.

High Point University offers students an extraordinary education in a fun environment with caring people. HPU is a liberal arts institution with approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 52 countries and 36 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. The university offers 45 undergraduate majors and five graduate-degree programs. It is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference.