2025 UNIVERSITY DAY

Welcome to the 232nd birthday of the nation’s first public university! University Day is a time for our community to come together — to honor our founding, reflect on our history and look ahead with optimism toward the future. It is both a celebration and a recommitment to our mission of teaching, research and service.

This year brings new challenges and opportunities for Carolina, and I am confident we will rise to meet them. Our state is growing and changing, and so is our University. We welcomed the largest incoming class in our history, filled with talented and ambitious students. Our renowned faculty and staff earn recognition at the highest levels through their scholarship, mentorship and innovation. And our extraordinary alumni, generations of devoted Tar Heels, remain steadfast in cheering us on and advancing our mission in every corner of the world.

Carolina’s home is not only in Chapel Hill — it extends across all 100 counties of North Carolina. For 232 years, the people of this state have invested in us and entrusted us with a sacred mission. Our aspiration to be the nation’s leading public university is possible only because of this enduring partnership. The unwavering support of North Carolinians, from the mountains to the coast, sustains our excellence and allows us to serve with impact.

I extend my deepest gratitude to all who are represented in today’s program for your dedication to our beloved University. Thank you for joining us in this celebration.

Happy University Day 2025 and Go Heels!