Bert Bennett, UNC alum and political power broker who helped shape NC’s moderate reputation, dies

Posted Jul 18, 2018
Bert L. Bennett Jr., who for 40 years was North Carolina’s most important Democratic Party power broker helping shape the state’s reputation for moderation, died Monday at age 97 in Pfafftown. Bennett, a Winston-Salem businessman, used his extensive statewide network to elevate Democrats Terry Sanford and Jim Hunt to the governor’s office. (Raleigh News & Observer)

Related: Campus Connections

The Most Mouthwatering Burger in North Carolina Is Waiting For You at Al’s Burger Shack
Ask a University of North Carolina student where to find the best burger in the state, and they’ll point you to Al’s Burger Shack. Al’s...
Sat May 30, 2026

31 Carolina faculty named ‘highly cited researchers’
UNC has 31 faculty on Clarivate’s 2025 list of Highly Cited Researchers, recognizing those who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their fields of...
Thu May 28, 2026

UNC Alumni on Pulitzer-Winning Journalism Teams
Three alumni of the Hussman School of Media and Journalism — Brian Cassella ’05, Alex Kormann ’19 and Emmy Martin ’25 — were part of...
Wed May 27, 2026

Eric Church Uses His Guitar To Deliver Powerful Commencement Speech At UNC
UNC-Chapel Hill held its 2026 graduation ceremony, and the commencement address was delivered by North Carolina native and diehard Tar Heel fan Eric Church. And...
Mon May 25, 2026