Longtime High Point, North Carolina, residents and friends of High Point University, Nancy and Hayden McKenzie, recently made a six-figure gift in support of the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center and Jana and Ken Kahn Hotel. In recognition of their generosity, the university will dedicate the arena’s Champions Meeting Room in their honor.
“High Point University prides itself on providing a distinctive life skills education for each of our students, where they are presented with opportunities to apply their knowledge in practical settings,” says HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. “The entire arena and conference center is a learning lab where students can test classroom theory in real-world scenarios, and with the philanthropic support of friends like the McKenzies, this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind building has been brought to reality.”
A native of High Point, North Carolina, Hayden has remained very involved with the community over the years. In addition to serving on HPU’s Board of Visitors, Hayden has worked with the High Point Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of High Point, the local YMCAs, the Boy Scouts of America, and the McKenzies’ church, Wesleyan Memorial. Over the years, Nancy has volunteered her time and talent within the church, serving in many positions and committees. She has also supervised the Ward Street Food pantry, worked with the Girl Scouts of the USA, participated in Open Door Ministries and volunteered to deliver mattresses to those in need. With each of their roles in these organizations and projects, Hayden and Nancy have supported and encouraged community growth and expansion and have been excited to motivate others to do the same.
“As a current member of HPU’s Board of Visitors, I am well acquainted with the new arena and conference center project and the purpose the facility will fulfill,” says Hayden McKenzie. “Nancy and I always want to do our part to support the community and to inspire others to become better, more engaged citizens. It is our hope that our gift towards this extraordinary building will encourage others to support HPU and to promote the surrounding community’s growth and longevity.”
Hayden graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. After college, he began working full-time at his family’s company, North State Communications and during his thirty-six years with the company, Hayden progressed through several roles. In 2008, he was selected as the chairman and CEO of North State Communications. He served as the CEO until his retirement in 2012 and was a member of the Board of Directors until May 2020 when the company was sold.
Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Nancy grew up in the college town while her father attended medical school. Once he graduated, the family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where Nancy spent most of her childhood and teen years until she left for college. Nancy graduated from Queens University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and library science. Hayden and Nancy met in May 1982 at a sailboat regatta at Lake Norman, and were married in February 1983. The couple have two children, Jesse and Laura Leigh. Jesse currently works for North State Communications and has two children. Laura Leigh is employed with South+English, is a certified personal trainer and has three children.