UNC celebrates 219 years since Hinton James walked to Chapel Hill

Basketball isn’t the only important UNC tradition that will happen Wednesday.

The day marks 219 years since the arrival of UNC’s first student, Hinton James, who came to Chapel Hill February 12, 1795 after walking from Wilmington.

To mark the occasion, Landon Sherwood , a junior business administration major, will dress up as Hinton James to begin a day of festivities.

“It’s being funny with a purpose,” Sherwood said.

Sherwood said this is his first year dressing up as Hinton James, but this is not his first time attending the Hinton James day celebrations.

“We are really trying to engage students and by having them interact with him, they’ll learn more about what he did while he was here,” Sherwood said.

Sherwood, also the current students committee director of the Order of the Bell Tower, said the day will begin with free breakfast, T-shirts and photo opportunities in the Hinton James Residence Hall lobby at 7:30 a.m..

The celebration, sponsored by the UNC General Alumni Association, will continue in the Pit from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., where Sherwood said there will be games, candy, T-shirts, Order of the Bell Tower sweatshirts and stickers and more photo opportunities.

“The food is fun and the prizes are good, but we really want students to learn about the University’s history” Sherwood said.

“Hinton James” will also attend tonight’s UNC men’s basketball game against Duke.

Sherwood said James’ 170-mile walk from Wilmington is largely relevant to current UNC students.

“I’m really passionate about UNC’s dedication to giving every student an education and it’s hard, but by sharing how hard this student worked, I hope we encourage other students to work hard and achieve their degree as well,” Sherwood said.

Sherwood said he first learned about Hinton James from the Hinton James day events his first year at UNC.

James graduated from UNC in 1798, and also began the Dialectic Society.

Erin Jackson, a senior Hinton James resident, was unfamiliar with Hinton James Day.

“I thought it was a community event,” she said.

Shelby Mullis , a freshman Hinton James resident, said she was vaguely familiar with Hinton James but that she was still interested in the event.

“I know Hinton James was the first student, and he walked from Wilmington,” Mullis said. “I will probably go, and free food is always great for college students.”

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