UNC alumni to recreate early student's walk to Chapel Hill

Posted Jul 31, 2008

Three young UNC alumni plan to re-create one of the most famous treks in Tar Heel history this month - the walk that UNC's first student took to class. Nick Becketti, Bryan Jones and Whitney Reeds plan to duplicate the feat of Hinton James of New Hanover County, who arrived at Chapel Hill to enroll on Feb. 12, 1795. According to historian William D. Snyder, James made the entire trip, approximately 170 miles, on foot. (Wilmington Star News)

Related: Campus Connections

These Tar Heels are working the World Cup
As the world visits North America this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, some Tar Heels are helping make the historic event happen. The...
Tue Jun 30, 2026

America250 At Carolina
As the nation’s first public university, UNC-Chapel Hill has been guided for more than two centuries by a commitment to lead our state and our...
Sun Jun 28, 2026

UNC alum, former Tar Heels soccer player Jenny Chiu hosts FIFA World Cup TV series
Jenny Chiu ’17 always aimed to become a soccer star. And she has — just not in the way she imagined. As 48 countries compete...
Sat Jun 27, 2026

UNC Connections to the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes
Mike Sundheim has been with the Carolina Hurricanes in some capacity for 28 years. Sundheim graduated from UNC in 2000, meaning he started with the...
Thu Jun 25, 2026