Another record-breaking year for Carolina.

In the wake of the NCAA investigation into UNC academics coming to an end, alumni and friends of the university have set new records for giving money to their school. Those two things might be unrelated, but I don’t think so. At a time when unbridled support for Carolina was necessary, individual, corporate and foundational donors stepped up big time on both sides of the plate.

UNC development under new director David Routh topped last year’s record $447 million by nearly 50 million to $495 million, thanks to nearly 60,000 donors and 12 who gave more than $5 million each for $139 million of the total. There were gifts of $12 million by a married couple and $7.5 million by an anonymous donor. Money was earmarked for Lineberger Cancer Center, Carolina Performing Arts, to starting community service scholarships and fellowships; to Arts and Sciences to create distinguished professorships in the communications and history departments.

Not be outdone, the Rams Club under John Montgomery and his staff was part of the record-setting fiscal 2015-16, raising the most money in its 38-year history, financing scholarships for more than 450 athletes and capital improvements to the tune of $62 million, topping its previous best year by more than 10 million bucks. Rams Club members provided $15 million for capital projects, or facilities, and 17 million for team support, which increases the budgets of individual programs.

Now you may say all this is just a coincidence, but I say it is Carolina alumni and supporters and fans reacting to five years of bad publicity stemming from the NCAA invasion that began back in 2010. For critics and foes with an ax to grind who predicted the demise of UNC athletics as well as damaging verdicts from the various accreditation bureaus, these numbers must be sobering news.

Yes, Lew Margolis, UNC’s mission is on the education and research side more than it is fielding winning teams. But whoever said a high profile athletic department is the front porch of its university was right in this case, as the support for UNC started there and went on inside the house that is now much stronger for such amazing generosity.

Related Stories
‹
'We Want Them To Feel Welcome': A Conversation with UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts, Part 2
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts shares his thoughts on tenure delays, student visas, Bill Belichick, and the future of the Smith Center.
'It's Natural To Be Unsettled': A Conversation with UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts, Part 1
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts shares his thoughts on federal funding cuts, academic freedom, and the public role of higher education.
North Carolina Residents are not happy about the new UNC System Logo
At a press conference earlier this week, the University of North Carolina System unveiled a new logo for its 17 campuses across the state. System president Margaret Spellings said that the rebranding project was important to detail the important work being done across the UNC system but also to avoid confusion between the system and […]
UNC Posts Letter from SACS
UNC has made public the July 1 letter it received from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). That letter informed the university SACS was placing it probation for 12 months due to an academic fraud scandal in which more than 3,000 students received credit for bogus classes. Chancellor Carol Folt said in early […]
UNC Women's Sports Programs Win 2024-25 Capital One Cup
UNC has been named the winner of the 2024-25 Capital One Cup, awarded annually to the most successful women’s athletic program of the season. The winner is determined by accumulating points in a combination of NCAA championship wins and major poll finishes. Four women’s sports programs at UNC – field hockey, soccer, lacrosse and tennis […]
Chansky's Notebook: Growing Pains
Former UNC star Vance Honeycutt signed a $4 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, but he is struggling in the minor leagues.
Chansky's Notebook: Pro Atmosphere
Seven months into the Bill Belichick era at UNC, the Tar Heels are certainly acting like the NFL's "33rd team."
Princeton Review Ranks UNC No. 3 for Best Value Public Universities
UNC is ranked as the No. 3 best value public university in the nation – behind only Georgia Tech and the University of Virginia – on the Princeton Review’s annual list. The ranking is an improvement from 2024, when UNC occupied the No. 4 spot. Elsewhere, the Princeton Review ranks UNC as the No. 1 […]
Chansky's Notebook: Storm Seasons
Art Chansky recounts how various storms of years past affected athletic events in the state of North Carolina.
Check Out the Complete Schedule for UNC's 'ACC Network Takeover' July 8
The ACC Network will feature 24 hours of Tar Heel highlights from the 2024-25 athletic year Tuesday as part of its annual “ACC Network Takeover.” Programming begins at midnight and lasts through 11:59 p.m. Featured games include the women’s basketball team’s win against No. 10 NC State at Carmichael Arena back in February. Those who […]
›