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 Football Seeking to Build on Positive Foundations vs. Virginia
College football is not, and never will be, a “moral victory” business. But for UNC, the definitions of success have changed.
UNC Women's Soccer Loses at Miami on Late Goal
A Miami goal in the 77th minute broke a 1-1 tie and sent UNC to a 2-1 defeat Thursday night in Coral Gables. It’s Carolina’s second loss in its last three outings. The two teams played a scoreless first half, despite UNC holding a decisive 6-0 advantage in total shots. The Hurricane goalkeeper stopped both […]
UNC Football vs. Virginia (2025): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
UNC will take the field at Kenan Stadium for the first time in three weeks Saturday when it hosts No. 16 Virginia. The Tar Heels are still seeking their first ACC win of the season, while the Cavaliers enter a perfect 3-0 in league play. If you aren’t attending the game in person, here’s how […]
UNC Men's Basketball vs. BYU (2025): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC will travel to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City to face No. 8 BYU for its first exhibition game of the preseason Friday night. The Cougars are coming off a run to the Sweet 16 in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and feature top NBA prospect A.J. Dybantsa, who chose BYU over UNC and […]
Chansky's Notebook: More Gas Needed
UNC played better in its loss at Cal last week, but Bill Belichick is clearly growing more frustrated as the season wears on.
UNC Police: 'Multiple' Scooter, Bike Thefts on Reported Campus in October
At least seven reports of stolen e-scooters, bicycles, and e-bikes in the month of October led UNC Police to issue a campus-wide alert.
›