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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill facts for kids

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Old Well and McCorkle Place 2005.jpg
The Old Well
Motto
Lux libertas
Type Public
Established 1789
Endowment $2.2 billion
Chancellor Carol Folt
President Erskine Bowles
Students 28,136
Undergraduates 17,628
Postgraduates 8,177
Location
Chapel Hill
, ,
Campus Suburban
Nickname Tar Heels
Mascot Rameses the Sheep
Website www.unc.edu
References:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (often called UNC or Carolina) is a well-known university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It was started in 1789. UNC is special because it was one of the very first public universities in the United States.

UNC was the first public university in the U.S. to actually hold classes and graduate students. Classes began in 1795, and its first students graduated in 1798. Other schools, like the University of Georgia, were founded earlier but started teaching later. The College of William & Mary is older, but it became a public school much later.


What is a Public University?

A public university is a school that gets money from the state government. This often means it costs less for students who live in that state. UNC is a public university, meaning it's supported by the state of North Carolina.

Campus Life and Traditions

UNC's campus is a lively place with many historic buildings and beautiful spots. Students enjoy a mix of learning, sports, and social activities.

Famous Campus Spots

  • The Old Well: This is a famous landmark on campus. Students often drink from it for good luck, especially before exams.
  • Morehead Planetarium: This planetarium opened in 1949. It's a great place to learn about space and science.
  • South Building: This building holds the main offices for the university's leaders.
  • Libraries: UNC has many libraries, including the huge Davis Library, where students can study and find books.

Student Life

Students at UNC can join many clubs and groups. The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies were started in 1795 and still hold debates today. There are also many events and celebrations, especially on Franklin Street after big sports wins.

Sports at UNC

UNC is famous for its sports teams, known as the Tar Heels. They compete in the NCAA Division I.

The Tar Heels Nickname

The nickname "Tar Heels" comes from North Carolina's history. Long ago, people in North Carolina worked with tar, pitch, and turpentine from pine trees. Workers would get tar on their feet, leading to the nickname.

Rameses the Mascot

The official mascot for UNC is Rameses the Sheep. He's a real ram who attends games and events, cheering on the Tar Heels.

Basketball Legends

UNC is especially known for its basketball team. Many famous players have played for the Tar Heels, including Michael Jordan. He played under legendary coach Dean Smith and helped UNC win a national championship in 1982.

Notable Alumni

Many successful people have graduated from UNC.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Chapel Hill para niños

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