January 15, 1795: UNC Holds Its Opening Ceremony

Posted Jan 15, 2018
UNC held its opening ceremony on January 15, 1795, and soon after became the first state university to enroll students. The winter of 1794-1795 had been rough, and the roads were a muddy mess. It was a cold, windy, rainy day and the area looked more like a construction site than a college campus. Only the East Building and the unpainted wooden house of the Presiding Professor had been completed. (UNC.edu)

Related: Campus Connections

Merritt’s Grill Opening Second Location in Chapel Hill; Einstein Bros. Bagels Opening First
Merritt’s Grill, whose BLT sandwiches have been a staple of the Chapel Hill, North Carolina culinary scene since the restaurant opened in 1992, is opening...
Sat Aug 29, 2026

Tar Heels take their music to Ireland
For five bluegrass students and 105 marching band students at Carolina, the start to this year will be anything but ordinary. Along with about 25...
Fri Aug 28, 2026

The top events in Kenan Stadium from the last 10 decades
As the centennial season of Kenan Stadium approaches, the sun has risen and set on a plethora of memorable events held inside its walls. Despite...
Wed Aug 26, 2026

Live from Ireland: Festivities begin in Dublin
UNC leaders, student-athletes, fans, and alumni are arriving in Ireland ahead of the Tar Heels’ football season opener against Texas Christian University as part of...
Tue Aug 25, 2026