Congratulations To The Tar Heel Graduates
December 14, 2014 | Academics
UNC held its Winter Commencement on Sunday, and approximately two dozen student-athletes are among the nearly 1,000 undergraduates who completed their degrees this month.
After finishing finals this week, several Tar Heels took the time to look back on their years at UNC. Here are some of the highlights of their Carolina careers:
Volleyball
Oviedo, Fla.
Major: Communication Studies
Minor: History
Advice for current or future UNC student-athletes?
These years will be some of the hardest that you will probably ever experience. However, they will be filled with some of the absolute best memories that you can ever imagine. Through volleyball at Carolina I have made some lifelong friends and gotten to experience some pretty amazing things like traveling to Europe, playing for an ACC Championship, and getting to watch the greatest rivalry in college sports in a UNC vs. Dook basketball game. Always remember through the tough times when your days are filled with weights, practice, studying, papers, etc., that you are truly blessed to have the opportunity to be at Carolina and to represent such a prestigious and amazing university, and that there are tons that would kill to be in your shoes.
Favorite non-athletic memory:
The greatest highlight from my time at UNC was watching my boyfriend at the time, now husband, beating Duke on UNC's home court (in basketball). The energy and the excitement was like nothing I have ever experienced in a sports game, and I truly do understand now why it is such renowned rivalry in college sports.
Favorite athletic memory:
There have been so many great memories on the court from the past seasons. However, my absolute favorite was about a week ago when we defeated USC (Southern Cal) in Carmichael Arena in order to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. It is only the second time in the history of UNC that this has happened, and it is an awesome feeling of accomplishment to be making history and leaving a legacy that teams in following years will strive to accomplish.
Men's Fencing
Portland, Ore.
Major: Political Science
Minors: Sustainability, Philosophy/Economics
What's next? Moving to Washington, D.C., to work for the government this spring
Advice for current or future UNC student-athletes: Take advantage of the unique opportunity to represent the University and find what makes you happy and use it to relieve the stress that comes along with being a student-athlete
Non-athletic highlight: Making great bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime with memories that few get to experience such as rushing Franklin in the snow after a victory over Duke!
Athletic highlight: Traveling all over the U.S. and putting on the UNC logo and being able to represent one of the finest academic and athletic institutions in the United States while making unique friendships through high-level athletics
Women's Soccer
Troy, Mich.
Major: Business Administration
What's next: Working for Oracle in Boston starting in January.
Advice for current or future UNC student-athletes: Give it everything you have. Four years goes by quick so make the most out of every opportunity you are given here at Carolina.
Favorite non-athletic memory: My favorite non-athletic event was participating and performing at UNC's Dance Marathon
Favorite athletic memory: Winning the National Championship in 2012 with my best friends.
Volleyball
Huntersville, N.C.
Major: Communication Studies
Minor: History
What's next? Not set yet, but have multiple opportunities for employment that I can choose from when I decide to start working full time. I am very blessed in that regard.
Advice for current or future UNC student-athletes: Take full advantage of the resources that are on campus and in the athletic department for when you graduate. Start building connections now that pertain to your future and talk to Dana Gelin – she is extremely helpful and truly cares about your success in the future.
When it comes to playing, find someone that you look up to and take notes, whether on your team or a professional athlete and see what you admire about them and their leadership style. Just as you have role models, someone younger than you is doing the same thing and admiring you, so set the example.
What will you miss most? I will miss the supportive community that the students and faculty at Carolina have created. When it comes to entertainment, athletics and charities people are always ready to give or express appreciation.
Highlight: My highlight of my years as a student-athlete is this one, my last one, because it has allowed me to grow closer to everyone who has been with me and I cherish that more now than ever.
Football
Chapel Hill, N.C.
Majors: Management and Society, Communication Studies
Minor: Entrepreneurship
What's next? Following graduation I would like to take some time off and travel, and then start my professional career.
Advice for current or future UNC student-athletes: Don't sweat the small stuff. Remember it's a marathon, not a sprint.
What will you miss? One thing I'll miss most about being a student at UNC will be the camaraderie of the student body.
Favorite memories: My favorite memory of being a student-athlete is beating NC State at home on Gio's punt return. The thing I'll miss most about representing UNC will be the ability to represent my hometown, Chapel Hill.
Men's Soccer
Greensboro, N.C.
Major: Business Administration
What's next? Following graduation I will be exploring professional soccer options, which includes participation in a small team combine in Las Vegas as well as the general MLS combine in Ft. Lauderdale. Additionally, I am keeping an open mind to a career in real estate. I will be interviewing with companies in the Atlanta area in the near future.
Advice for current and future UNC student-athletes: My advice would be to enjoy the ride. Maximize your time at Chapel Hill by utilizing available resources, building relationships, and striving for academic and athletic excellence. But don't forget to have fun!
Favorite non-athletic memory: The semester I spent abroad in Barcelona, Spain. Every student at UNC should have this opportunity.
Favorite athletic memory: A tie between winning a National Championship in 2011 and my last game as a Tar Heel. Even though we lost the Elite Eight matchup against UCLA, I will always remember how tough we played and how every single player/coach left their heart on the field that day.
Players Mentioned
