225 years of Tar Heels: Harvey Beech, James Lassiter, J. Kenneth Lee, Floyd McKissick, James Walker

Posted Feb 28, 2019
In 1951, five African-American students enrolled in UNC’s School of Law, effectively desegregating UNC. The students were Harvey Beech, James Lassiter, J. Kenneth Lee, Floyd McKissick and James Robert Walker. By the mid-1950s, black students were admitted to the College of Arts & Sciences. Today, the UNC GAA recognizes them with awards in their names. (UNC.edu)

Related: Campus Connections

UNC alumnae lead cheers in Carolina Hurricanes’ Canes Crew
UNC alumni Maya Lin ’23 and Camryn Tuttle ’26 are part of the Carolina Hurricanes’ Canes Crew that makes the Lenovo Center “the loudest house...
Wed Sep 16, 2026

UNC’s Ackland Art Museum Preparing for $70 Million Expansion
The Ackland Art Museum is exploring options for its first major upgrades in decades, with aspirations to expand its footprint and create an arts-focused district...
Tue Sep 15, 2026

Kenan Stadium Stair Climb remembers 9/11 heroes 25 years later
The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb has become an annual tradition at UNC, and members of the Carolina community returned to Kenan Stadium on Friday to...
Fri Sep 11, 2026

Look back at how UNC responded to 9/11
The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 shocked the nation and world, including here in Chapel Hill. Campus came to a halt as Tar Heels...
Fri Sep 11, 2026