CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin gives UNC graduation speech

Posted May 16, 2017
Brooke Baldwin, a CNN anchor and 2001 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill’s journalism school, told thousands of brand new Tar Heel alumni Sunday that it’s OK if they don’t have the next steps in their lives neatly planned and ready to go. “Learn your worth,” Baldwin said as she gave the Class of 2017’s commencement speech. “Dream. And never forget where you came from.” (Durham Herald-Sun)

Related: Campus Connections

Fleet Feet CEO and UNC alum knows how to ring the 'money bell'
Fleet Feet CEO and president Joey Pointer ’00, ’01 (MAC) keeps a handheld bell on his desk as a reminder of just how far both...
Fri Jul 17, 2026

Former UNC Basketball Players Mourn Changes in Chapel Hill: 'It's Not Franklin Street Anymore'
Gone are beloved Chapel Hill staples like The Rathskeller, Schoolkids Records, Bub O'Malley's, Pepper's, Spanky's, and others that served generations of UNC students along Franklin...
Thu Jul 16, 2026

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Openings, Closings and Moves in April-June 2026
After the sign for the former military surplus store Surplus Sids was taken in March, it unceremoniously reappeared on June 10 — leaned up against...
Wed Jul 15, 2026

UNC Alumni Contribute $30.1 Billion to State’s Economy
In every corner of North Carolina, Tar Heels are leaving a large financial footprint. Alumni contributed a minimum of $30.1 billion in economic activity across...
Tue Jul 14, 2026