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Light on the Hill Society Scholarship

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Light on the Hill Society Scholarship Program

During the 2005 Black Alumni Reunion, a group of alumni leaders and reunion participants challenged alumni to contribute $1,952 each – representing the 1952 class year of Harvey Beech, Carolina’s first Black graduate – to become founding members of the Light on the Hill Society Scholarship fund.

Since that time, Carolina alumni and friends have annually made tax-deductible gifts to the fund, ranging from a few dollars to several thousand, the largest being a $350,000 gift from NFL star Julius Peppers ’02.

This initiative serves as a tribute to Carolina’s Black graduates of the 1950s and 60s by providing scholarships to Black graduate and current first-year undergraduate students. These talented scholars demonstrate academic excellence, outstanding leadership abilities, community service dedication and have great potential to become involved and informed alumni.

Supported by Carolina Alumni, formerly known as the UNC General Alumni Association (GAA), and administered by the Light on the Hill Society Advisory Board, the program has awarded 113 scholarships: 82 Light on the Hill Society scholars, 26 Peppers scholars, two High Undergraduate scholars, one High Graduate scholar and two Theta Omicron Foundation Black Male Excellence award recipients.

Tanea Pettis '95
Director of Alumni Programs
919-843-9694
read my bio

Tanea has been a member of the Carolina Alumni staff since 1998. She currently serves as director of alumni programs overseeing the Light on the Hill Society Scholarship, athletics, Carolina Clubs, Homecoming, outreach and reunions. She’s a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., carries her NOOK with her wherever she goes and has a large collection of Coca-Cola bottles from across the world in her office.