Did Hinton James Really Walk all the way to UNC?

Posted Feb 12, 2018
It’s one of the most enduring legends of UNC history: a lone student, Hinton James, walking all the way from his home in Wilmington and arriving in Chapel Hill on February 12, 1795, where he reported to the one-building campus and enrolled, becoming the first student at the University of North Carolina. But did he really walk all the way here? We’re not sure. (UNC.edu)

Related: Campus Connections

Memorial site dedicated to UNC professor Zijie Yan two years after shooting
Before his death, UNC associate professor Zijie Yan, a beloved teacher, colleague and friend, studied how to organize nanoparticles with light. On Thursday, exactly two...
Thu Sep 4, 2025

UNC’s architecture illustrates historical trends
With more than 250 buildings, the University’s evolution is reflected in the architectural styles spread across campus. In its earliest days, UNC consisted of just...
Tue Sep 2, 2025

UNC Marks 2 Years Since Zijie Yan’s Fatal Shooting With Memorial Bench Dedication and Lecture
On Thursday at 3 p.m., UNC students around Caudill Labs stepped out of the building or walked into nearby ones as they changed classes. Some...
Mon Sep 1, 2025

'Unwavering dedication': UNC's first Black full professor dies at age 89
Frank Brown, Ph.D., was the first Black full professor and dean in UNC’s School of Education. He died in March at the age of 89...
Sat Aug 30, 2025