Graduate student discovers youngest transiting planet ever
Identified by Carolina astronomer Madyson Barber, the “baby” planet is 3 million years old and roughly the size of Jupiter.
Highlights of 2024
In 2024, Carolina celebrated research milestones, remarkable centennials, national championships and more.
As the year ends, keep scrolling to see some of the top stories from around campus.
Accolades
Spring
The year began with Lee H. Roberts arriving in Chapel Hill as interim chancellor. Later in January, Ackland Art Museum returned a piece of art to its rightful heir.
In March, Carolina celebrated the next step for School of Medicine and Eshelman School of Pharmacy students at Match Day.
Carolina hosted its first under-the-lights Spring Commencement at Kenan Stadium, where graduates heard from astronaut and double Tar Heel Zena Cardman before watching a fireworks show.
Fall
In the fall, Carolina celebrated its 13th chancellor, Lee H. Roberts, at an installation ceremony on University Day. The University also marked 20 years of the Carolina Covenant, which has provided more than 10,000 students the opportunity to graduate debt-free through scholarships, work study and grants.
Members of the Carolina community sprung to action to assist those in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.
Carolina moved up in the 2024 National Science Foundation’s Higher Education and Research Development Survey, now ranking No. 9 among all research universities.
At Winter Commencement, Dr. Shelley Earp told graduates to “keep a sense of wonder about the world around you and what it means to be human.”
Standout Tar Heels
‘Imagine Your Heelprint’ spot debuts
Meet three Tar Heels — a drummer, physical therapy researcher, field hockey champ — from the new 30-second institutional ad debuting during the broadcast of the Carolina-Minnesota football game.
Tar Heel earns take two on Jeopardy!
Sophomore Rotimi Kukoyi competed in the quiz show’s Second Chance Tournament five years after appearing as a teen.
Karsen Kitchen makes space history
After becoming the youngest woman to cross the Kármán line, the proud Carolina senior is “still processing it all.”
From a small town to Carolina
Tar Heels come from communities of all sizes, some of them tiny. In the Small Town Spotlight series, Carolina students share photos from back home.
Carolina Thrift gives clothes new life
The student-run group resells used clothing in front of the Bell Tower each year during move-in week.
A year of centennials
The year 1924 was an important one at Carolina with four things taking place that are still celebrated on campus a century later.
In this fun video, Chancellor Lee H. Roberts looks back on that time 100 years ago and four exciting beginnings.
Press the play button above to watch
Around campus
English 105 students get ‘School of Rock’ experience
As part of teaching associate professor Marc Cohen’s writing and rhetoric course, they met a rock band and went to a concert.
Video: Tar Heels jump around for victory over Duke
Go inside the Carolina Basketball game day experience from beginning to thrilling finish, with dozens of camera angles high and low at the Smith Center and on Franklin Street.
Decades later, memories of Flower Ladies live on
Social media is connecting a new generation to the African American florists once central to Franklin Street.
Weeks of Welcome events highlight start of semester
New Tar Heels celebrated their arrival on campus at convocation, FallFest, Sunset Serenade and more.
Midterm masquerades as spooky pop-up shop
Professor Tim Flood’s Flash Entrepreneurship class learned business skills in its Heel-O-Ween store on Franklin Street.
UNC Dream Team grants child’s basketball wish
Student volunteers rolled out the Carolina Blue carpet for Colburn Dean, 9, who wowed the Tar Heel men’s team.
Athletic accomplishments
Tar Heels compete at Summer Olympics
Over a dozen UNC-Chapel Hill student-athletes and alumni competed in Paris, but the Tar Heels’ presence at the Games went beyond the playing surface.
Carolina 7th in final Learfield Directors’ Cup standings
This is the Tar Heels' fifth consecutive top 10 finish and their eighth top-10 effort in the past nine years.
Bill Belichick named Carolina’s head football coach
The second-winningest coach in NFL history will lead the Tar Heels, pending approval by the Board of Trustees and UNC Board of Governors.
Carolina baseball advances to 12th College World Series
The Diamond Heels are heading to Omaha for the first time since 2018 following a Super Regional series win against West Virginia.
Anson Dorrance announces retirement after 47 years
The 1974 Carolina alum won 1,106 games coaching the Tar Heel soccer programs, and his 21 NCAA women’s soccer championships are the most in any Division I sport.
Pleiades are a flying disc dynasty
The Carolina women’s team won its fourth-straight national title in the sport also known as “ultimate Frisbee.”