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 2UNC 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 1UNC 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 LogoAt 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 SACSUNC 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 Men's Basketball Has Played a Game in 40 of 50 States. Here's How It Can Fill Out the Map.Few programs in men’s college basketball are as historically well-traveled as UNC. Throughout their more-than-century on the hardwood, the Tar Heels have traveled the length and breadth of the country, from a cozy community center in Hickory to the cavernous Ford Field in Detroit. There are other odd confines which are on record as having […]

UNC Field Hockey Drops First Game of 2025 Season at No. 13 Wake ForestA double-overtime winner from No. 13 Wake Forest helped the Demon Deacons upset UNC 2-1 in Winston-Salem Friday evening. It’s the Tar Heels’ first loss this season and second loss in ACC play in three seasons under head coach Erin Matson. The game was a defensive struggle throughout, entering the fourth quarter in a scoreless […]

Chansky's Notebook: OverspendingThere has been a change of leadership with UNC's Board of Trustees, but it appears they've gone from one spendthrift to another.

Chansky's Notebook: Perfect TimingLet’s imagine what is going on behind the scenes at UNC and Clemson, who will meet in Chapel Hill on October 4.

Strong 2nd Half Not Enough as UNC Women's Soccer Falls at No. 2 Notre DameFreshman Lauren Malsom recorded a brace with two goals at No. 2 Notre Dame Wednesday night, but it wasn’t enough to help UNC dig out of an early deficit and the Tar Heels fell 4-3. It’s the team’s second consecutive loss. Malsom’s first goal came in the 39th minute, by which time the Tar Heels […]

Chansky's Notebook: Anticipation to AntipathyCan Bill Belichick turn UNC around on the field and off? In places where the jury is still out, the chances seem smaller by the day.
›