225 years of Tar Heels: Zena Cardman

Posted Oct 17, 2018
As a Carolina student, alumna Zena Cardman could be found researching microorganisms in some of the most remote places on Earth. In her current job, Cardman may one day find herself in an even more remote place: space. In 2017, Cardman was one of 12 people chosen out of more than 18,000 applicants to become a member of NASA’s astronaut candidate class. (UNC.edu)

Related: Campus Connections

Tar Heels fans go bananas for Caleb Wilson before enjoying the Bananas show
Kenan Stadium was packed on a beautiful spring afternoon, and the atmosphere was bananas. And Tar Heels fans went bananas over one of their favorite...
Thu Apr 16, 2026

UNC makes 'new Ivies list for third consecutive year
UNC has made the Forbes list of “new Ivies” for the third straight year. Carolina is the only North Carolina institution on the list, which...
Wed Apr 15, 2026

Savannah Bananas put Bill Belichick to work during Chapel Hill stop
On Saturday, Bill Belichick took a break from spring practice at UNC to try his hand at coaching first base for the Savannah Bananas, who...
Sun Apr 12, 2026

Savannah Bananas bring excitement to Chapel Hill, small businesses look for a boost
Banana Ball is coming to the Triangle. The Savannah Bananas, the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball, take on the Texas Tailgaters at a sold-out Kenan Stadium...
Sun Apr 12, 2026