Gary Birdsong, longtime UNC ‘Pit Preacher,’ dies at 81
Posted Jun 4, 2025
When UNC students return to campus in the fall, they’ll notice that a familiar voice in the Pit has fallen silent. Gary Eugene Birdsong, a controversial "Pit Preacher," died this past February. He was well-known by the Carolina community for spreading the gospel in the sunken brick courtyard on campus, which he did for the past four decades.
(Daily Tar Heel)
Related: Campus Connections
Ghosts of UNC's past and presentEvery October, the whispers of UNC’s past seem to echo a little louder. For decades, students and staff have swapped legends of spirits that are...
Mon Nov 3, 2025Residents flock to spooktacular Halloween celebration on Franklin Street
Hundreds of people flocked to Franklin Street on Friday to celebrate Halloween in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The college town has been a popular spot...
Sat Nov 1, 2025
Interview with UNC Professor, Pulitzer Prize Winner Kathleen DuVal
Kathleen DuVal has a lot to say about early American history. Her latest book, Native Nations: A Millennium in North America, spans more than 700...
Fri Oct 31, 2025
'Halloweekend' in Chapel Hill, explained
Each year, the Town of Chapel Hill closes down Franklin Street for a massive impromptu parade. This tradition has been ongoing for decades and turnout...
Wed Oct 29, 2025
