June 1859: President James Buchanan visits the University of North Carolina

Posted Jun 27, 2020
Wednesday, the first of June 1859, was hot and dry in Chapel Hill The University’s annual commencement exercises had already been going on for two days, and the morning’s program was just winding up when a large party of visitors, tired and covered with dust, arrived from Raleigh. This party included James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States. (North Carolina Miscellany)

Related: Campus Connections

Best moments from ESPN documentary "Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott"
In 1984, Stuart Scott began attending the University of North Carolina, where he studied journalism. He became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.,...
Thu Dec 18, 2025

UNC grad documents post-Helene recovery
In addition to Carolina’s Spring Commencement, Max Feliu ’25 had another May date circled on his calendar. The filmmaker’s nine-minute documentary on life after Hurricane...
Thu Dec 18, 2025

UNC Athletics Celebrates The Season With Team IMPACT
Carolina Athletics welcomed members of Team IMPACT and their families for a fun-filled day of holiday activities with student-athletes from various programs on Saturday. The...
Tue Dec 16, 2025

There Will Never Be Another Stuart Scott
For an entire generation of American sports fans, Stuart Scott loomed as large as the superstar athletes he covered. After 22 years at ESPN—bringing a...
Sun Dec 14, 2025