Each year on Oct. 12, Carolina celebrates University Day, which marks the laying of the cornerstone of Old East — the campus’ first building and the oldest state university building in the nation. The day is a celebration of our mission as the country’s first public university and our service to North Carolina, the nation and the world. On this day, we remember the University’s past and celebrate its future.
Keep reading to learn about this year’s ceremony, past University Days, Carolina history and traditions and the University’s presence throughout the state.
1877: Kemp P. Battle, the University's president from 1876 to 1891, invited the public to attend the inaugural University Day.
1940s: University President Frank Porter Graham and Chancellor Robert House led a group of faculty toward Memorial Hall.
1961: President John F. Kennedy spoke at University Day and received an honorary degree during the ceremony.
1978: Actor and N.C. native Andy Griffith (center) spoke at University Day and received the distinguished alumnus award.
1993: Tar Heel alumnus and journalist Charles Kuralt gave a famous speech that asked the question, "What is it that binds us to this place as to no other?"
2018: As it turned 225, the University celebrated its past and embraced a future in service of a better state, a better nation and a better world.
2024: Occasionally, University Day also serves as the installation of a new chancellor. Last year, Carolina honored its 13th chancellor, Lee H. Roberts.
Before University Day, Lee H. Roberts gave us his dream guest list and shared his favorite history facts and campus spots.
Then, 40 years later, the bronze plate resurfaced in Tennessee, returning to Chapel Hill in time for University Day in 1916.
Hinton James walked from Wilmington to Chapel Hill in 1795 to enroll as the first student at Carolina.
Chancellor Lee H. Roberts and members of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies reflect on the legacy of the University’s first student organization.
Hundreds of Tar Heels started the first day of classes with a sip from the Old Well in hopes of securing some extra luck for the school year.
When Carolina celebrated its bicentennial in 1993, saplings from the Davie Poplar tree were planted throughout the state. We revisited some of those saplings and the Tar Heels who planted them to see how Carolina has literally taken root in North Carolina.
The iconic symbol has been a part of the Carolina campus and Tar Heel traditions for 94 years.
The right shade of Carolina Blue and argyle trim are only part of the story behind what the attendees wear.
Have you ever heard of the Tin Can or the Scuttlebutt? Those words may bring back fond memories for some generations of Tar Heels, but for today's students, they're a mystery. Take a look at how campus has changed through the years, creating new experiences for different generations of students.
In this video, Chancellor Lee H. Roberts highlights four milestones for the University.
The iconic spot on Carolina’s campus is not the only representation around North Carolina.
The data and imagery collected also will allow western North Carolina to be better prepared for the next storm.
Four generations of Carolina alumni have served rural Scotland Neck and surrounding counties for more than a century.
Former Carolina Covenant scholar Bradley Lauck continues to excel at the UNC School of Medicine while also serving his country.
APPLES Service-Learning students traveled to the mountains and Charlotte to work on rebuilding and other projects.
The Carolina alumna championed King’s Ridge, an affordable housing complex that opened in Raleigh earlier this year.
The program’s work-study jobs fostered Dr. Segovia-Chumbez’s relationships and science interests.
The UNC School of Medicine is the only institution in the Southeast to treat twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
“Our goal is really science in service,” says the senior scientist at the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center.
Restoration has begun to preserve the sites that reduce flooding and prevent erosion along Currituck Sound.
Inaugural member Pepper Dowd ’53 looks back on five decades of support for the UNC College of Arts and Sciences.
An Office of Human Resources webpage celebrates those who marked special anniversaries with Carolina and the state.
Colleagues in the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy honored the Massey Award winner for her attention to details.
Dr. Wesley “Butch” Fowler Jr., known for his mentoring style and care for cancer patients, will retire from Carolina after 52 years.
Faculty Council honored the history professor, author and leader of Honors Carolina for upholding the values of democracy.