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230 years
of Carolina

University Day

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.

UNIVERSITY DAY INFO | DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS | FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS

Group of four people, three of whom are in regalia, walking on a brick pathway as part of a University Day ceremony on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill. A student is holding a banner reading

University Day is an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate our founding and recommit to our mission of teaching, research and service.

Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz

Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz in regalia speaking at a podium indoors during a University Day event.

In pictures: past University Days

1877: In a poster advertising the inaugural University Day, Kemp P. Battle, the University's president from 1876 to 1891, invited the public to attend.

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 from the University during the ceremony.

1978: Actor and North Carolina native Andy Griffith (center) spoke at University Day and received the distinguished alumnus award.

1993: Speaking at the University's bicentennial, 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.

This year's University Day is themed “Service to Our State."

“Throughout our 230-year history, the taxpayers of North Carolina have invested in higher education. It is this dedication from people from the mountains to the coast that makes Carolina’s excellence possible,” Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz said.

Check out the articles below to learn about how Tar Heels are working to better North Carolina.

Serving the Tar Heel State

  • Campus scene with flag and Carolina Across 100 logo

    Initiative aims to reduce NC suicides

    New Carolina Across 100 program comes in response to increases in rates of suicide and mental health crises.

  • Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Improving cancer outcomes

    The Carolina Cancer Screening Initiative leverages UNC Lineberger researchers’ multi-disciplinary expertise to improve cancer screening in North Carolina.

  • Anna Dodson

    Giving back through medicine

    Anna Dodson is driven by her desire to serve rural populations, particularly her own community in Bunn, North Carolina. As a physician, she plans to return home to be her community's primary care provider for the rest of her career.

  • Shayla Dougland standing in a sidewalk.

    Double Tar Heel serves North Carolina community

    Shayla Douglas launched into a career giving back to North Carolina as the downtown and small business development manager in Garner, North Carolina. Douglas is working to revitalize the downtown area and strengthen the economy of the Wake County town of 31,000.

  • Rick Luettich standing on a dock.

    The coastal engineer

    Since 1987, Rick Luettich has been building systems to protect the coast from environmental hazards and extreme weather events.

  • Graduate student examines sanitation in NC communities

    Nearly 50% of all households in North Carolina rely on septic systems, over twice the national average. Graduate student Amy Kryston ‘23 (MPH) studied the relationship between on-site sanitation, health and social drivers of health in North Carolina communities.

Statewide impact

  • Erin Tracy

    Drug-checking project cuts overdoses

    Supported by the N.C. Collaboratory, epidemiologist Nabarun Dasgupta and his team analyze street drugs and alert communities about dangers.

  • The bell tower is reflected on glass.

    Creating a pathway to Carolina

    The Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program provides a pathway for community college students to transfer to and graduate from Carolina. It is just one way that the University is fulfilling its mission of providing greater access to higher education for all North Carolinians.

  • People walking by a street-side business window with a

    Younger jobseekers want flexible, meaningful work

    In the “Where Are the Workers?” project, NCGrowth and ncIMPACT researchers uncovered this and other reasons for the current labor shortage.