Carolina celebrates installation of Lee H. Roberts
“Today marks a new chapter in the inheritance of a remarkable legacy,” Roberts said in his speech.
Carolina honored its 13th chancellor at the University’s 231st birthday celebration on Friday.
Lee H. Roberts became the latest in a long line of UNC-Chapel Hill leaders to be installed during the annual University Day ceremony.
Wearing Carolina Blue regalia, Roberts took his oath of office with his hand on the Durant Bible, the state’s oldest family Bible, held by his wife, Liza. Roberts was later presented with the chancellor’s medallion that includes the names of his predecessors. The tradition of celebrating new chancellors on University Day began in 1957 with William Brantley Aycock, Carolina’s second chancellor.
“I am most grateful to the search committee, Board of Trustees, President Hans and the Board of Governors for giving me the extraordinary opportunity to join this illustrious group,” said Roberts, speaking to a Memorial Hall audience that included the University’s ninth and 10th chancellors, James Moeser and Holden Thorp, as well as leaders and representatives from the UNC System and institutions across the state and country.
“I will do everything I can to support your good ideas, encourage opportunities and continue building a community where everyone can thrive,” Roberts said in his speech. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
Roberts, who served as the University’s interim leader before being elected as chancellor by the UNC Board of Governors in August, began his speech by acknowledging the hardship felt by many in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. He also mentioned two people dear to his heart who are no longer here: his mother, Cokie, and Joel Fleishman ʼ55, a mentor and friend.
Since becoming Carolina’s leader, Roberts said he’s spoken with his predecessors about the job.
Among the several things they agree on? “The chancellor’s office in South Building has the best view on campus,” Roberts said.
But it isn’t just the Old Well from across Cameron Avenue that captures Roberts’ eye when he looks out his window. Near the iconic University landmark is a large white oak tree “that gives the impression that it’s embracing the Old Well.”
“As we reflect on the last 231 years, I believe there is no more fitting symbol of Carolina, no better image of who we are as a University, than the trees that fill this campus,” he said.
Like Carolina, Roberts explained, the trees are constantly growing, changing and evolving. They’re also symbolic of the relationship between the state and its flagship institution.
“No tree can grow without its roots, and like the trees, this University’s roots are anchored firmly in the rich North Carolina soil,” Roberts said, noting that the state has helped make Carolina “the model of excellence” in higher education.
In turn, UNC-Chapel Hill enables North Carolina to be the best version of itself. “In every field, we are educating experts who will leave this campus to sustain and increase our impact in every corner of North Carolina,” Roberts said. “We are creating new knowledge that changes the state and the world.”
UNC System President Peter Hans ’91 called Roberts a “Tar Heel by choice” and lauded his understanding of the vital connection between Carolina and the state it serves.
“He was drawn to North Carolina by the sense of a state on the move, a place where talent and ambition are welcomed and rewarded, a culture that is striking the right balance between tradition and innovation,” Hans said. “That’s the spirit I want for my alma mater in Chapel Hill.”
Flanked by the platform party, UNC System President Peter Hans ’91 called Roberts a “Tar Heel by choice” in his speech. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
The ceremony included faculty and staff awards. Trenette Clark Goings, the Sandra Reeves Spears and John B. Turner Distinguished Professor at the UNC School of Social Work, received the Edward Kidder Graham Faculty Service Award. Shauna Harris, director of the Carolina Women’s Center, is this year’s winner of the Rebecca Clark Staff Award for Moral Courage.
Brian P. Golson ’92, Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence ’83, Sallie Shuping-Russell ’77 and Gary J. White ’94 (MS) were also honored with distinguished alumni awards.
During the ceremony, several University and state leaders offered congratulations and words of encouragement to Roberts in a video, including North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper ’79, ’82 (JD). Roberts’ position, Cooper said, comes with important responsibilities: “upholding the respect and admiration of this great institution and ensuring future generations have the same opportunities we’ve had to pursue world-class education.”
In his speech, Roberts committed to providing the strong leadership needed to fulfill those responsibilities. He spoke of Carolina’s need to grow, not only in number of students but in the ways it fulfills its mission of education, research and service, whether that is programs in engineering, data science and AI or breaking ground on new infrastructure projects and addressing renovation needs.
“Today marks a new chapter in the inheritance of a remarkable legacy,” Roberts said. “I commit to all of you that I will tirelessly protect and champion that legacy. I will do everything I can to support your good ideas, encourage opportunities and continue building a community where everyone can thrive.”
Minutes later, the bell of nearby South Building, reserved for use during special occasions, chimed 13 times — an audible nod to this new chapter in Carolina’s history.
