Swimmer missing in Hudson River is internationally-regarded AIDS researcher

Posted Jun 17, 2019
The marathon swimmer who disappeared near the George Washington Bridge during a 120-mile race on the Hudson River is an internationally recognized AIDS researcher and former professor at the University of North Carolina. Charles Van Der Horst, 67, of Chapel Hill, vanished on the New Jersey side of the bridge Friday afternoon. (New York Post)

Related: Campus Connections

Heart of a Heel encourages organ donor registration
Three Carolina seniors used experiences from their undergraduate studies and inspirational stories from other Tar Heels to help save lives. Rotimi Kukoyi, Emma Montero and...
Tue May 5, 2026

Roy Williams shares wisdom with Carolina seniors
Roy Williams is a basketball legend, a three-time national champion head coach, and, a proud Carolina alumnus. "You are a graduate of the University of...
Mon May 4, 2026

UNC professor, Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar inspires the next generation
A decade after earning the Nobel Prize in chemistry, UNC School of Medicine professor Dr. Aziz Sancar shows no signs of hanging up his lab...
Sun May 3, 2026

Meet the Carolina Class of 2026
More than 7,100 Tar Heels, including undergraduate, graduate and professional students, will have their Carolina degrees conferred at Spring Commencement on May 9. More than...
Sat May 2, 2026