50 Years Ago Today: John F. Kennedy at University Day

Posted Oct 12, 2011
The sun shone brightly on the morning of Oct. 12, 1961. That Thursday marked the 84th year since University Day was first celebrated on the UNC campus, and there was a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement in the crisp autumn air. University Day 1961 promised to be extraordinary by most any measure. President John F. Kennedy was coming to town. (Southern Neighbor)

Related: Campus Connections

Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2026: Much More Than A Game
The University of North Carolina will host or participate in business, cultural, academic, athletic, and arts events in Dublin, Ireland, the week leading up to...
Thu Jun 11, 2026

UNC Army ROTC earns prestigious MacArthur Award
UNC-Chapel Hill’s Army ROTC program has been named a recipient of the prestigious Gen. Douglas MacArthur Award for the fifth time in its history, recognizing...
Thu Jun 11, 2026

UNC alum, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Anne Marie Hagerty is ‘The Envoy’
Anne Marie Hagerty travels the world interviewing people for “The Envoy Show,” a docuseries about how food impacts health, economic growth and sustainable tourism in...
Wed Jun 10, 2026

UNC-Founded Eats2Seats to Create Entrepreneurial ‘Third Space’ with New Franklin Street Headquarters
Like an Uber Eats for sports and entertainment venues, the concessions and vending partner Eats2Seats allows fans to order food and beverages right to their...
Tue Jun 9, 2026