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

UNC Gears Up for First Day of Classes
The Chapel Hill summer is wrapping up this weekend, as UNC students return to campus ahead of the first day of class on Monday. “It’s...
Sat Aug 15, 2026

Twenty Tar Heels Recognized As ACC Graduate Scholar-Athletes
The ACC recognized more than 260 student-athletes, including 20 Tar Heels, as the inaugural class of ACC Graduate Scholar-Athletes for the 2025-26 academic year. To...
Wed Aug 12, 2026

Carolina Insider Podcast: UNC Football Training Camp, Basketball Talk, Mallory Wilmouth
Season 11 of the Carolina Insider Podcast begins as UNC Football training camp is in full swing (3:36). Carolina Basketball continues to adjust its roster...
Wed Aug 12, 2026

Chapel Hill’s Breadman’s Closed, Padlocked by Sheriff’s Office After Defaulting Lease
Could a Chapel Hill breakfast and lunch favorite be gone for good? Breadman’s in the Elliott Square shopping center was at least closed for Wednesday,...
Tue Aug 11, 2026