Ghosts of UNC Commencements past

Posted May 13, 2020
1811: The first Commencement without any graduates. Today, we have graduates with no Commencement, but in 1811 the University had the opposite problem. In its youth, Carolina had an unusually rowdy student body, known for everything from “stealing beehives, removing gates, stoning houses and damaging crops to firing pistols and staging duels.” (UNC.edu)

Related: Campus Connections

Gift from UNC alums will fund 20 Carolina Covenant scholars
A transformational estate gift from Dwight Jacobs ’87 and Moira Jacobs ’87 will support future generations of Carolina Covenant scholars. “If we could help 20...
Mon Feb 9, 2026

Tar Heels revel in winter weather (again)
Coming off the heels of last weekend’s snow/sleet/ice mix, UNC received more wintry weather this weekend. This time Tar Heels had pure snow to enjoy...
Sun Feb 8, 2026

UNC alumna Dajah Stallings heads to the Super Bowl as member of Seattle Seahawks staff
You know about former UNC quarterback Drake Maye leading the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl. Serious fans might also be able to name...
Wed Feb 4, 2026

THT Newsletter: Caleb Wilson Comes Home, Belichick Denied, UNC Women's Tennis Takes Down No. 1
Since we last caught up, Caleb Wilson had a happy homecoming in Atlanta, Bill Belichick was denied election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
Mon Feb 2, 2026