N.C. A&T Alumna, Gwendolyn Highsmith-Quick, to Retire After 38 Years in Aggieland
Gwendolyn Highsmith-Quick, Ph.D., CPA ‘76 – affectionately known as “HQ” – is currently an associate professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University since 1986. She will retire from Aggieland on June 30, 2023, with 38 years of service.
Highsmith-Quick, a native of Wallace, North Carolina, the oldest of five children and a first-generation college student, initially had her heart set on attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That plan changed when N.C. A&T’s then-President Lewis C. Dowdy sent her a letter congratulating her for having a high SAT score and offering her a presidential scholarship with a full ride to A&T.
“The moment I stepped foot on this campus, I loved everything about A&T from the professors, athletics to the student organizations,” said Highsmith-Quick.
As a student, Highsmith-Quick was a member of the women’s basketball team, ALOBEAEM Accounting Society, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, and Alpha Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
“As a student, Dean Quiester Craig groomed me to become an accounting professor by guiding my entire career because he saw something in me early on,” said Highsmith-Quick. “Once during my senior year, there was a principles class and the professor could not make it, and Dean Craig gave me the opportunity to teach the class. It was at that moment, that I realized how much I loved teaching and I knew after I graduated I wanted to return to A&T as an accounting professor. It was my dream.”
After graduating from A&T in 1976, Highsmith-Quick went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to receive her MBA in accounting in 1977. After graduation, she worked at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University as an adjunct instructor for two years. In 1979, she returned to A&T to work in the accounting department for a year and then took a leave of absence to work on her Ph.D. In 1988, she received her doctorate in accounting from the University of Houston.
“I completed the spring semester of 1988 as Ms. Highsmith. I defended my dissertation and returned in the fall as Dr. Highsmith-Quick after getting married in July to my husband, J.W. Quick ‘70, and shortly after that I was pregnant with my daughter, Winnie Quick ‘11,” she said.
Over the years, Highsmith-Quick has received several honors including the College of Business and Economics Teacher of the Year Award, A&T Faculty Advisor of the Year, and the A&T Aggie Essence Award in 2016 and 2017. She also was named Velma Speight Buford Outstanding Educator, Dorothy Harris Outstanding Advisor, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Graduate Advisor of the Mid-Atlantic Region, in addition to being recognized twice as Beta Alpha Psi’s National Outstanding Faculty Advisor.
“I believe in excellence and being intense about helping students become the best at what they do,” she said. “My students know I do not care about favorites; I care about how prepared they are for the real world.”
Highsmith-Quick is also known for her baked goodies at the annual COBE Alumni Cookout during the Greatest Homecoming on Earth and tailgating cookout. For years, she has baked for her students and used it as a method to motivate them to improve their test scores.
In addition to her honors, Highsmith-Quick has completed a tremendous amount of service to A&T over her tenure at the University. She has served twice as Interim Chairperson of the Department of Accounting and Finance in 2008-2010 and 2017-2019, Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR); vice president of the Faculty Senate, and co-chair of University Internal Restructuring Committee. Also, some of the university committees she has served on are as follows: the Chancellor’s Council on Intercollegiate Athletics (CCIA), Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Naming Facilities and Units, General Education Council, and the University Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee.
“A&T has shown me I can do anything and be anything,” she said. “We are the best at what we do, and we strive for perfection.”
In retirement, Highsmith-Quick plans to play a lot of tennis with her husband. They are the defending champions for the 2022 ATA National Mixed 65 Doubles.
She also plans to spend time reading, walking and giving back to the community by tutoring athletes.
19 Comments
Metitia Sanders
Congratulations!! Awesome career and service to so many young adults.
MICHAEL CALDWELL
Congratulations 👏 “HQ” on your retirement! Thank you for your outstanding service in helping our Aggie National strive and pursue their careers in Accounting! Enjoy your next chapter of life. God bless! Keep the Faith! “AGGIE PRIDE”
Your Former Classmate
Michael Caldwell ’76
‘aka, Maddog ‘
Jonetta Appling
Wishing you a wonderful and happy retirement! Thank you for all the knowledge you shared. Take care and enjoy your well deserved retirement!
Chye Williams
Congratulations Dr. HQ!
Ronald Campbell
Congratulations to my BEST ever NCAT-School of Business & Economics colleague, Dr. Gwendolyn Highsmith-Quick-Quick. Come on and join me. Retirement is sweet. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾❤️
Deborah Pope Sampson'76
It is an honor to congratulate Dr. HQ on her well-deserved retirement. She is a force of knowledge, creativity and positivity. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the students she taught, and the report is the same; they were well prepared.
My line sister, Soror Colette Blakely and I are overjoyed that Soror HQ shared a photograhic memory of becoming an AKA that included us.
Love,
Deborah Pope Sampson ’76
Jim Ellis
This is awesome – as well as sad news. Sad that future students will not experience the caring, drive and mentoring that I recorded twenty five years ago, and so many of my fellow Aggies received over the 38 years. Awesome news that Dr HQ is entering a new stage of life – and playing tennis as she does so. Congrats and a sincere thank you!
Lila Love
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University has had a “jewel” in having Dr. Highsmith-Quick (Dr. HQ) as a part of its faculty. She had always had a genuine concern for others, especially first generation and low income students to aspire to greater academic and social heights. I wish her complete happiness as she journeys into her next chapter in life.
“Congratulations to a most beautiful spirited woman that I have known since I was 13 years old.”
Ann Eaton
Congrats. So proud to have you as my friend. Enjoy retirement you I am.
Jewel Braswell
Congrats on your retirement. To a wonderful person with a beautiful smile and infectious personality. And did mention that powerful tennis game of hers. Gwen You are welcome to show your skills at the Ranch anytime. The door is always open and the court is ready for your return.🥰👍🏽👏🏽😉🎾
Agee (Adrienne) Hairston
Job well done, Dr. HQ! Thanks for your help in guiding my accounting career. Aggie Pride!
Charlene Gallishaw Thomas
Congratulations HQ! A job well done. One of the best professors ever……. A&T, B.S. Accounting, c/o 1998
Thank You!
Elrico Harris
Congratulations to you in retirement in June. How do I remember your class in 1986 It was to but you were excellent professor. I wish you all the very best.
Colette Blakely
Congrats Dr. HQ! I’m excited for you and your family as you begin the next chapter of your life. Enjoy the roses. I am smiling with you, job well done.
Marsha Williams Eastland
What an outstanding job you have done, Congratulations classmate . I was 76 in nursing and Cooper Hall. I remember you very well. I retired in 2015 , I was back in New Bern. Hope to see you at homecoming, I come most years.
Darlene Staton
“HQ” – It’s been a while, but I still want to take this opportunity to congratulate you, and wish you all the happiness, blessed by God!
Vincent Childress
Wonderful feature, Doc. I’m sure going to miss you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the University.
Love,
Vince
Jasmine McInnis
Congratulations! Thank you for always being a smiling face whenever we crossed paths. You are love and appreciated.
Cecily Nash Welch
Congrats Dr. HQ. Your class was always unforgettable – challenging, informative, and with a little bit of humor.
Cecily Nash Welch
Class of ’92