225 years of Tar Heels: Hinton James

Posted Feb 13, 2019
First-year students living in Hinton James Residence Hall are no strangers to long walks to campus. Neither was the namesake of that building, Hinton James, who — legend has it — walked from his home in Wilmington, NC, to Chapel Hill in 1795 and became the first student to enroll. James arrived at UNC on Feb. 12, 1795, almost a month after the University opened its doors. (UNC.edu)

Related: Campus Connections

Interview with UNC Professor, Pulitzer Prize Winner Kathleen DuVal
Kathleen DuVal has a lot to say about early American history. Her latest book, Native Nations: A Millennium in North America, spans more than 700...
Fri Oct 31, 2025

'Halloweekend' in Chapel Hill, explained
Each year, the Town of Chapel Hill closes down Franklin Street for a massive impromptu parade. This tradition has been ongoing for decades and turnout...
Wed Oct 29, 2025

Honoring Dick Richardson’s Legacy
Dr. Richard J. Richardson, former provost of the University of North Carolina, co-founder of UNC World View, and beloved faculty member at UNC Chapel...
Mon Oct 27, 2025

Chapel Hill's Carolina Inn ranks among the ‘most haunted’ in America
Investigating everything from ghostly encounters to eerie histories, a team with Airport Parking Reservations researched the 13 most haunted hotels in the United States. This...
Sun Oct 26, 2025