HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 3, 2009 - High Point University students majoring in Graphic Design and Digital Imaging, one of the university's newest major programs, now have access to impressive new graphic design equipment in the Plato S. Wilson School of Commerce, where the major is housed.

The new graphic design lab in 221 Commerce is a state-of-the-art facility consisting of 24 digital workstations. Each workstation is equipped with a Wacom Cintiq 21UX, which allows students to use a digital stylus to draw and create designs in a way that feels like pen on paper. In addition, an iMac is mounted to each table on a movable arm that allows the student to adjust the workspace.

A lab with such technology is rare at higher-education institutions.

"High Point University's graphic design lab is a first among other schools," says Scott Raynor, chair of the Visual Art Department at HPU. "Students will not get to work with this type of equipment in other graphic design programs."

Raynor adds that the new technology and equipment are highly beneficial to students preparing for careers in the graphic design and digital imaging fields.

At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in a fun environment with caring people. HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with 3,700 undergraduate and graduate students from 50 countries and 44 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report No. 5 among comprehensive universities in the South and No. 1 in its category among up-and-coming schools. Forbes.com ranks HPU in the top 6 percent among "America's Best Colleges." HPU was included in The Chronicle of Higher Education's "Great Colleges to Work For" 2009 listings. The university offers 68 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors and seven 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. Visit High Point University on the Web at http://www.highpoint.edu/.