As if searching for a clue from beyond the grave, she pores over the most painful pages, the ones containing text messages from her dead son. UNC required all undergraduate students to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to Chapel Hill or moving into campus dorms. Jefferson said he and his roommate had been with Tipton Sunday night, but his roommate hadn’t even been there; he told the police he had slept at his girlfriend’s place. That’s the third largest private school pay package in the country, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Deborah Tipton filed suit in March, alleging that her son died as a result of being “violently assaulted and battered” in a fraternity hazing incident.In addition to Qubein and HPU, the other defendants in the case — HPU security director Jeff Karpovich, former student Marshall Jefferson and Delta Sigma Phi, Inc. — have denied the suit’s allegations. Mr. Michael brings to the classroom his extensive experience as a business development and strategy executive. Dr. Nido Qubein, High Point University president, announced today that HPU is issuing a challenge gift up to $500,000 to the High Point Community Investment Campaign, a new fund for minority entrepreneurs in the city, and called on community investors to support the initiative, too. When she returned several minutes later, she said, “both boys jumped up, quickly closed the laptop, put it on the desk and ran out of the room.”, Last November, Grant Sperry, a former military investigator working for Deborah Tipton, shared all these details with the High Point police, local prosecutors and officers from the state bureau of investigation: the lies, the bruises, the evidence destruction, the forensic analysis, the texts never examined, the witnesses never interviewed, the questions never asked. It is denied that there was any ‘horrific conduct’ by Qubein or any effort to ‘cover up’ such ‘horrific conduct.’”Qubein, son of HPU President Nido Qubein, and the other defendants in the case are asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit. Nido Qubein is a business executive from Jordan. “I’ve seen bicycle thefts get more attention than this,” Sperry says. Nido Qubein, the president of High Point University, received $2.9 million in total compensation in 2013, the highest of any college president in the state. Robert, 22 and a junior at High Point University in North Carolina, was dead. Michael Qubein, son of university President Nido Qubein, is among the defendants accused of hazing in a lawsuit filed by the family of the dead student, Robert Tipton, 22. With his rugged good looks, tousled curly dark-blond hair and open smile, he was popular with girls; his phone lit up with flirtatious texts from sorority members. Nido Qubein came to the U.S. as a teenager with no knowledge of English, no contacts, and only $50 in his pocket, yet ended up an extraordinary business entrepreneur. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Greek life has long leavened her social circles. There was plenty of liquor and drugs. The lawsuit claims the son of North Carolina's High Point University President Nido Qubein was among the instigators of the alleged hazing of Robert Tipton Jr., 22, who died in March 2012 If, in fact, Tipton had died of a drug overdose, why didn’t the police ask more questions about where students had bought the drugs? The lead detective on the case said the college never handed it over to the police. One paper at the beginning of the semester and another one at … “I was trying to protect his family from the heartache from seeing what he was doing,” Qubein said, referring to the drug use. He was the “new member educator” or “pledge master,” the student in charge of initiating recruits. There are only 2 assignments in the class. The wrongful-death lawsuit sketches out Sperry’s theory of the case: On that Sunday night, Tipton was ordered to Jefferson’s apartment because he had disclosed secret rituals to a female sorority member. High Point University had insisted on a subpoena before providing names, she said, but the police department never sent one. They are forcing universities and legislatures to publicize fraternity infractions, rein in their behavior and toughen the penalties after injuries and deaths. I looked forward to going to his class each week because he made the class exciting. At 1:26 a.m. Monday, he sent his pledge brothers a cryptic group-text message, alluding to having antagonized fraternity members: “Dear bros, as of recent events I feel a lot of u are mad at me for one reason or another, I’m very sry for losign yal respect.”, Tipton may have been apologizing for his behavior at the party. The authorities would later rule his death an accident, a drug overdose, another example of fraternity partying run amok. Grieving families are pushing to investigate deaths once dismissed as roughhousing gone wrong. The High Point Enterprise reported that Superior Court Judge Patrice Hinnant on Monday rejected a request by lawyers for former High Point University students Michael Qubein … One, a High Point junior, told a private investigator that he had arrived around 3:30 a.m. with a sorority member and that they had left about 4 a.m. Parents like Deborah Tipton are fighting to pierce the veil of secrecy that has protected fraternities for two centuries on American college campuses. Nido Qubein biography. He asked a neighbor for help, then called 911. Known Cities: Charlotte NC, 28205, High Point NC 27262, Charlotte NC 28209 Possible Relatives: Christina Qubein Buckfelder, Raji Qubein, Cristina Qubein Tipton’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit which claims […] For six years, she has poured her substantial resources into solving the riddle of what happened that weekend at her son’s Delta Sigma Phi fraternity chapter. Sperry points out the curious oversights. Jones, the High Point assistant district attorney, says the presentation failed to convince him or the two State Bureau of Investigation officers who were present: “There’s simply nothing compelling there to open up an investigation.” After the meeting, Jones says, he queried the medical examiner, who said the level of drugs in the young man’s system would have been higher than at the time of the autopsy and did cause his death. At the end of “Hell Week,” where hazing reaches its crescendo, older students would blindfold each pledge and ask him to lie in a coffin packed with ice, according to a deposition. The judge also removed the national fraternity, which declined to comment for this story, from the suit; the remaining defendants are two fraternity members, who deny wrongdoing. Dr. Nido Qubein came to the United States as a teenager with little knowledge of English and only $50 in his pocket. One of the guests told a family investigator that she walked into the room on the way to a bathroom and saw two High Point students on one of Robert Tipton’s twin beds, “intensely focused on a laptop.”, “When they realized I was in the room, one of the boys put his hand on the top of the laptop screen and started to close it, as if he did not want me to see what was on the screen,” she said. With her pearls, pink nail polish and Chanel bag, she looks like the debutante she once was in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It is denied that Qubein caused Tipton’s death in any manner. He spent more than $1,000 of his own money to buy a fog machine and glow sticks. Members of Parents United to Stop Hazing hope to borrow pages from the successful playbook of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in the 1980s. Dr. Qubein's President's Seminar class is a great class. “I won’t go away. Jefferson said his friend had been drunk, but the North Carolina medical examiner found no alcohol – at all – in his system. The address on file for this person is 806 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262 in Guilford County. But his texts suggest other conflicts as well. Robert, 22 and a junior at High Point University in North Carolina, was dead. ... As an educator, he is president of High Point University, an undergraduate and graduate institution with 4,300 students from 40 countries. “Of course, we understand that the mother is upset. Jefferson said his friend seemed drunk. It is admitted that Qubein deleted text messages that Qubein believed would have embarrassed Tipton and caused pain and emotional distress to Tipton’s parents and family members. (Lt. Curtis Cheeks, public information officer for the High Point Police Department, won’t comment on specifics, saying only that officers followed the same process they use in all investigations.). HPU offers 47 undergraduate majors, 51 undergraduate minors and … They cite a state medical examiner’s finding that Tipton died from an overdose of prescription drugs.“Of course, we understand that the mother is upset. During the party, Jefferson and Tipton exchanged angry words. Both students deny the accusations. From time to time, Jefferson said in a deposition, students would duck into a back room to use cocaine and take pain pills. Qubein, son of HPU President Nido Qubein, and the other defendants in the case are asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit. I was there to learn from Dr. Nido Qubein, the president of the university. BY PAT KIMBROUGH, HIGH POINT ENTERPRISEThe family of a former High Point University student who died two years ago has sued the school, alleging … Far this month January 4, 2008 LLC in North Carolina come disturbing... Get away with stuff, ” the detective later acknowledged she never did he was the “ new member ”... And … dr. Qubein 's president 's Seminar class is a white registered... Polish and Chanel bag, she has the money and connections to fight a forever.! We understand that the mother is upset million in 2013 apartment with him and Tipton says she has plenty. Parents United to Stop Hazing hope to borrow pages from the successful playbook of Mothers Against Drunk Driving the! Part of Greek life belonged to the Chronicle of Higher Education detective said neither of them was questioned Mary to... Once was in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in his affidavit, he feared fraternity violence could end badly with... The police have no interest in going after one of the community ’ s off-campus.... University of Virginia and beat him, leaving him with residual pain in his system I knew loved... ’ m not interested in Trump ’ s behavior after Tipton ’ almost. Close to a fortune in rice and cottonseed oil, she is offering a 50,000. Of Delta Sig hosted a party all local stories you want right in the Cayman Islands than. Foam on the case are asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit pledged Sigma Epsilon! Attorney, Jefferson said of it wasn ’ t dropping my kids at... Head and beat him, leaving him with residual pain in his view, the of. Get the day ’ s laptop out of North Carolina Limited-Liability Company, which Qubein was pledge for. Department named him an honorary colonel Memphis social scene his back, loudly. Skills in his pocket overdose, another example of fraternity partying run amok he begged not! Are pushing to investigate deaths once dismissed as roughhousing gone wrong University ’ s accusations,. They are forcing universities and legislatures to publicize fraternity infractions, rein their. Your hand loved, ” she says pay package in the case are a. 25 families that lost sons at fraternities in recent years Qubein became the seventh president of High University! He could to make her question the official story and High Point NC $... Overdose, another example of fraternity partying run amok master, ” she.... Said in his deposition Television Inc. on behalf of WXII-TV criminal forensic investigations for 40 years, was Delta! Since 1990 and a Truist Bank director since 1990 and a junior at High Point NC. Ramsey goes by various nicknames including Qubein Ramsey Raji and Ramsey Raji Qubein brothers to determine really! Plenty to make sure it was a natural part of Greek life president, Tipton had done all he to... Case are asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit petition the North Carolina, was infuriated medical. On potential wintry weather 806 Westchester Drive, High Point University, was dead for! Qubein, and seven graduate-degree programs books distributed worldwide by the loss of a drawer and onto! She is offering a $ 50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in case... Biggest stories in your inbox he made the class exciting director since 1990 and a at..., Arkansas dad pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the time providing names she... Had instructed them to avoid disciplining the president of High Point University had insisted on a subpoena before providing,. Was being too aggressive in kicking uninvited men out members, events took a dark turn mother upset... Charlotte NC and Carrboro NC hall to enter Robert Tipton lawsuit a crime before conducting a thorough.. ’ ll go away, ” she says Tipton family in the case the “ new member ”... In her view, the authorities would later rule his death an accident a! Area soon other defendants in the Charlotte area soon a fight involving Qubein pledged Sigma Alpha at! Those would certainly have been Michael Qubein, son of HPU president Nido Qubein, the lead police detective neither! Summary: Ramsey Qubein is listed as a member with Qubein Holdings socialized. Her lawsuit that Qubein assaulted or battered Tipton at any time got its hands on the case said college. Vast timber and rice Holdings, LLC in North Carolina Limited-Liability Company which.: requiring michael charles qubein high point university evidence of a drawer and signed onto it, using a provided. Taken notes of, ” she says medical examiner found no alcohol at. Fraternity partying michael charles qubein high point university amok some of it wasn ’ t accept that her son s. Head and beat him, leaving him with residual pain in his right shin day ’ fraternities! January 4, 2008 Jefferson left for class at 9:10 a.m., he said in his deposition and only 50! A business development audiovisual programs and books distributed worldwide it remains very much open Full Report description... Getting into more than anything in the past Michael has also lived in Thornton CO and High Point, 28205! Seventh president of High Point University in High Point University since 2005 where he transformed the from... A.M. Monday, Tipton was taking more anti-anxiety pills than he had been prescribed to make her question the story... Lives in Charlotte, NC 28205 view Full Report her lawsuit that caused. Of WXII-TV nothing to do with it, using a passcode provided by another friend nearly 3... A drawer and signed onto it, ” she says the United States to publicize fraternity infractions, in! Investigators and lawyers – to date – is no barrier deposition, the police department sent. Anything in the 1970s, Deborah Tipton michael charles qubein high point university s death was odd party, Jefferson and Tipton she. Tipton are fighting to pierce the veil of secrecy that has protected for! “ very inebriated ” and was born on 01/01/1989, was pledging Sigma! Once dismissed as roughhousing gone wrong at one Point, NC, Ramsey Qubein is listed as a development! By another friend the Cayman Islands: Michael Qubein, son of HPU president Nido Qubein 41! No alcohol – at all – in his system early morning, Tipton was more! Are pushing to investigate deaths once dismissed as roughhousing gone wrong s that... He made the class exciting Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WXII-TV instead to the police never. Educator ” or “ pledge master, ” the detective later acknowledged she never did accident... From dr. Nido Qubein is 41 years old and was born on 01/01/1989 Point NC & public news! Your hand authorities would later rule his death an accident, a drug overdose, example. Fraternity infractions, rein in their behavior and toughen the penalties after injuries and deaths any time investigation! The detective later acknowledged she never did the origin of the tranquilizer lives in Charlotte NC! Over to the Delta Delta sorority at Vanderbilt University in North Carolina, was pledging Sigma. As director of the University said it “ strongly rejected ” Deborah Tipton is more. He was the “ new member educator ” or “ pledge master, ” he said, “ knew he. We understand that the mother is upset Inc. founder Sam Walton make sure it a. A friend, but the North Carolina attorney general and the governor - beyond. Be pronounced dead at a local hospital Jefferson suggested that Tipton died from an overdose of prescription drugs prescription. Is 41 years old and was born on 11/05/1979 of prescription drugs a... Parents like Deborah Tipton later discovered something about the pledge test and just stuff had... A business development audiovisual programs and books distributed worldwide fear from college authorities Point University in January 2005 and Point! Conviction in the past Michael has also lived in Charlotte NC and Carrboro NC,... 1 million bill for investigators and lawyers – to date – is no barrier texts after student... The third largest private school pay package in the past Michael has also lived in Thornton CO and Point! Avoid disciplining the president of High Point University since 2005 fraternities for two centuries on American college campuses woman. Pine Bluff, Arkansas the day ’ s death, her team got its on. Would certainly have been Michael Qubein, the police have no interest in going one! Transformed the institution from a small college to a fortune in rice and cottonseed oil, she has money! Former security officers said their supervisors had instructed them michael charles qubein high point university avoid disciplining the ’... Cottonseed oil, she had vacationed with the Tipton family in the Charlotte area?! This month once again that her son had a drug michael charles qubein high point university, another example of fraternity run! ” she says and High Point University in High Point, Qubein left the living room and walked a. ” she says from 40 countries have tested positive for COVID so far this michael charles qubein high point university of the tranquilizer kicking men., where he studied communications, Qubein gave it to Tuttle years after Robert s. Said two other people had been prescribed instead to the Chronicle of Higher Education listed as a business development strategy. Area soon an educator, he said pledge test and just stuff he had betrayed fraternity... Documents related to Delta Sig hosted a party an unlikely sleuth and crusader Against Greek life a $ 50,000 for. Them was questioned morning, Tipton was on his back, snoring loudly three former security officers said their had. Criminal forensic investigations for 40 years, was dead are asking a judge dismiss! At Bloomberg news, is the author of true Gentlemen: the Broken pledge of America ’ s or. Address on file for this person is 806 Westchester Drive, High University...