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 current first-year Black 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 the UNC General Alumni Association and administered by the Light on the Hill Society Advisory Board, the program has awarded 112 scholarships: 82 Light on the Hill Society scholars, 26 Peppers scholars, 2 High Undergraduate scholars, the first High Graduate scholar and 2 Theta Omicron Foundation Black Male Excellence awards.
