Susan Ehringhaus, Carolina’s first University counsel, dies at 82
A double Tar Heel, she served six chancellors and taught at the law and medical schools over three decades.
Susan Ehringhaus, a double Tar Heel and the first person to hold a University legal counsel position at any UNC System campus, died peacefully July 12. She was 82.
Ehringhaus ’66, ‘68 (JD) worked in the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice before joining the law faculty in 1970, and in 1974, was appointed assistant to the chancellor and University legal counsel. Later named vice chancellor and general counsel, she served six chancellors and built a legal team from the ground up. Her work became a template for the position across the UNC System, and she served as a mentor to those in similar roles at other campuses.
Before leaving the University in 2002, Ehringhaus also taught at the UNC School of Law and UNC School of Medicine, with a focus on education law, medical ethics, leadership and related subjects.
Ehringhaus received many honors for her service to Carolina, including the Distinguished Service Award from Carolina Alumni and the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award. The longtime Chapel Hill resident was also inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. July 29 at The Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill.
