The History of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Visitors

The UNC Board of Trustees had been established for only one year when the organization that would eventually become the UNC Board of Visitors was created. At the June 14, 1974, Trustee meeting, shortly after voting to create an Endowment Fund, the Board of Trustees took on another important topic – a discussion on creating an adjunct to the Board of Trustees. Trustee Chair Henry A. Foscue spoke about the need to extend the University and to share the story of the University widely. The Trustees decided to appoint a committee to work with University officials to develop recommendations on developing a group that could serve as an adjunct to the Board of Trustees.

Then, on September 13, 1974, Thomas Lambeth, Chairman of the Committee to study a possible adjunct to the Board of Trustees, presented the committee’s recommendation – a charter for the Order of the Tar Heel One Hundred, a service organization of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The original charter, which has changed very little over the years, said the Tar Heel One Hundred would do the following:

• Assist the Board of Trustees and Chancellor in maintaining and enhancing the quality and excellence of the University at Chapel Hill.
• Advise and assist the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor in interpreting to the people of North Carolina the mission, programs, accomplishments and aspirations of the University at Chapel Hill.
• Keep the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor informed of the attitudes, opinions, concerns and expectations of the people of North Carolina with respect to the University at Chapel Hill; and
• Advise and assist the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor with respect to the developmental activities of the University at Chapel Hill.

The first group had 100 members who were required to be residents of North Carolina, and the first chair was Archie K. Davis of Winston-Salem.

At the Board of Trustees meeting on June 20, 1980, Board of Trustees Chairman Hargrove “Skipper” Bowles, Jr. recommended that the original name be changed to the Board of Visitors.

Over the years, the UNC Board of Visitors has expanded to members from across the world, and the group has taken on numerous projects beneficial to the University. The early years involved creating reports aimed at improving salaries for faculty and staff, and improving communications to the public, among other topics. In later years, the BOV created a Board of Visitors Legislative Database in which members identify their connections to government leaders as a way of supporting the university’s government staff. Also, the group has educated members and the community on topics important to the University, met with students at Career Networking socials, increased the number of Honors Carolina students accepting the invitation to attend Carolina, held virtual special topic programming to reach broader audiences and hosted the BOV, Next Chapter virtual volunteer fair to give supportive alumni and friends additional opportunities to serve Carolina.

This group has developed into one of the University’s strongest support organizations, and continues to grow in its commitment and support of Carolina’s successful future.