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

New and incoming restaurants add to Chapel Hill's vibrant food scene
In the past year, Chapel Hill has seen its restaurant scene expand, and its offerings will continue to grow, with a variety of new spots,...
Mon Jul 20, 2026

Video: Tar Heels in DC - Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History with Frank Blazich
UNC alumnus Frank Blazich (Class of 2004), modern military history curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, gives us a tour of the...
Mon Jul 20, 2026

Video: Tar Heels in DC - CNBC newsroom with Megan Cassella
UNC alumna Megan Cassella (class of 2015), Washington Correspondent for CNBC, gives us a tour of the newsroom and studios she works in and discusses...
Sun Jul 19, 2026

Video: Tar Heels in DC - Washington Nationals Park with UNC alum Chris Zaber
University of North Carolina alumnus Chris Zaber ’99, Chief Revenue Officer of the Washington Nationals, gives us a tour of Nationals Park and discusses how...
Sat Jul 18, 2026