UNC Chancellor Emeritus Paul Hardin III passed away at his Chapel Hill home on Saturday, the university announced.

Hardin had been diagnosed with ALS.

“Chancellor Paul Hardin was a visionary leader who is remembered in North Carolina and across our nation for his dedication to promoting the life-changing impact and benefits of higher education,” Chancellor Carol L. Folt said in a release. “In his bicentennial address, alumnus Charles Kuralt spoke of how Carolina was meant to be ‘the University of the people.’ Paul seized upon Carolina’s 200th birthday as an opportunity to light the way to a better future and open Carolina’s doors for all North Carolinians. Paul was warm and gracious and remained very involved with Carolina after his retirement. He will be greatly missed.”

Hardin was born in Charlotte on June 11, 1931, and was the son of a Methodist minister and bishop Paul Hardin Jr. and Dorothy Reel Hardin.

Hardin graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University in 1952 before graduating first in his class at Duke Law School.

Before entering academia, Hardin served in the United States Army’s counterintelligence unit as a lawyer.

Hardin worked as a law professor at Duke before serving as president at Wofford College, Southern Methodist University and Drew University. Hardin took over as UNC’s seventh chancellor on July 1, 1988.

Hardin led UNC through the university’s Bicentennial celebration before stepping down in 1995.

Hardin residence hall on south campus was dedicated to Hardin in 2007.

Hardin was 86. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Russell Hardin, three children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, according to the university.

Officials say a memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 8, at 3 p.m. at University United Methodist Church.

The family is suggesting that gifts be made to The Robert and Martha Gillikin Library Fund in honor and Paul and Barbara Hardin, the Duke University ALS Clinic, the Paul Hardin Scholarship Fund at the Duke Law School or the Hardin-Russell Endowment Fund at Lake Junaluska Assembly in lieu of flowers.

UNC officials say they will ring the South Building bell seven times on Saturday, July 8, to coincide with the memorial service to honor his service as the university’s seventh chancellor. The bell ringing is “used to mark only the most significant university occasions.”

Photo via UNC

Related Stories
‹
Search Committee Invites Public Comment in Search for Next UNC Chancellor
The committee searching for the 12th UNC – Chapel Hill chancellor will hold two public forums to allow for input on what qualities the university should be looking for in a new leader. The 20-member search committee was announced at the Board of Trustees meeting in August and began work on identifying candidates earlier this […]
UNC System Reportedly Approves Process to Find Next President
It appears the search for the next UNC System president will follow a similar confidential process that brought about the hire of Margaret Spellings in 2015 to now find her replacement. Spellings, the former United States secretary of education under George W. Bush, resigned from the position at UNC halfway through the recently concluded academic […]
Blackface Photos Dominate New Term for Interim UNC Chancellor
Just hours into his term as the interim UNC – Chapel Hill chancellor, Kevin Guskiewicz had a controversy to handle. He was named to the interim role by interim UNC System President Dr. Bill Roper on Wednesday afternoon. Less than two hours later, Colin Campbell, editor of the News & Observer state government news publication […]
Interim Chancellor: UNC 'Just Feels Right'
Kevin Guskiewicz said he is aware of the challenges that lie ahead as he takes over as the interim chancellor at UNC – Chapel Hill. “There are going to be busy days, no doubt,” Guskiewicz said. “I’m pretty good about keeping a lot of balls in the air. Even as dean, I was over at […]
UNC - Chapel Hill Interim Chancellor Announced
Kevin Guskiewicz will serve as interim chancellor at UNC – Chapel Hill. Interim UNC System president Dr. Bill Roper made the announcement appointing Guskiewicz to the role on Wednesday. Roper issued a statement regarding the appointment: “After widespread and helpful input, I strongly believe Kevin is the best person to lead UNC-Chapel Hill. Kevin is […]
Carol Folt 'At Peace' as She Leaves UNC Chancellor Role
Chancellor Carol Folt’s last day leading UNC – Chapel Hill was Thursday, when the Board of Trustees happened to have a regular meeting scheduled. During her remarks at the meeting, Folt quoted Dr. Seuss when reflecting on her time in Chapel Hill. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Folt announced in mid-January […]
Roper Calls for 'Calm and Stability' Amid Search for Interim UNC - CH Chancellor
UNC – Chapel Hill is in the final days of Chancellor Carol Folt’s tenure leading the university and the search is on for an interim replacement. Folt made the surprising announcement two weeks ago that she would be resigning at the end of the academic year, which was subsequently moved up to the end of […]
No Action After UNC - Chapel Hill Board Meets for 2nd Time After Chancellor Resignation
For the second time in less than a week, the UNC – Chapel Hill Board of Trustees held an hours-long closed session discussion Tuesday after Chancellor Carol Folt announced her resignation last week. Folt’s resignation was coupled with the chancellor ordering the removal of the remaining base of the Confederate monument known as Silent Sam. […]
Q&A with UNC Chancellor Carol Folt
WCHL news director Blake Hodge spoke with UNC Chancellor Carol Folt on Tuesday about her decision to step down, the current state of campus security and the impact that she made on the community during her time in Chapel Hill. Q: You made the announcement, two announcements, on Monday that you would be stepping down […]
UNC - Chapel Hill Trustees Hold Meeting After Chancellor Resignation
The UNC – Chapel Hill Board of Trustees is holding an emergency meeting Friday morning after Chancellor Carol Folt announced her resignation earlier this week. Folt made the announcement in conjunction with ordering the movement of the remaining base of the Confederate monument on the campus known as Silent Sam. The statue was toppled last […]
›