Former UNC basketball player Tyler Hansbrough speaks at New Student Convocation on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025 at the Dean Smith Center.
The class of 2029, transfer students and graduate students celebrated New Student Convocation on Sunday; a long-standing tradition that, this year, featured a notable keynote speaker: UNC alumnus and basketball player Tyler Hansbrough (‘09).
The decision to make Hansbrough the keynote speaker at convocation was announced at the July 31 Board of Trustees meeting by Chancellor Lee Roberts. Every year, it’s the chancellor’s responsibility to select a UNC alum to address students at the ceremony.
“I know he will share an inspiring message and it’s going to be a fun and exciting day for these new Tar Heels,” Roberts said in the University Communications and Marketing press release.
Hansbrough’s roots at the University run deep. During his time at UNC, he was unanimously voted the National Player of the Year in 2008. Then, in 2009, Hansbrough led the UNC Men’s Basketball Team to a NCAA Championship against Michigan State University.
Hansbrough is the ACC’s all-time leading scorer with 2,872 points. He also holds the NCAA record as being the only player to ever be named first-team All-American and first-team All-ACC for all four years of his college career. In 2023, he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
Hosted by New Student & Family Programs, convocation took place at the Dean E. Smith Center and ran from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The ceremony opened with words from Roberts welcoming the new students. He addressed the class of 2029, noting that this was the largest first-year class in UNC’s 232-year history.
“We’ve been looking forward to meeting you, and we’re also eager for you to meet each other,” Roberts said in his address.
Following his opening remarks, Roberts called Hansbrough to the stage. The basketball player’s speech was delivered in three distinct points: what it means to be a Tar Heel, the Carolina community and how a student’s time at UNC will shape the foundation of their future.
Additionally, Hansbrough emphasized the value in supporting one another.
“The most important thing to me is to make connections, and it’s hard to narrow it down to one [takeaway], but be yourself,” he said in an interview with The Daily Tar Heel following his address.
Toward the end of his speech, Hansbrough touched on his recent decision to co-teach at the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, describing it as a full circle moment.
“It’s amazing how life brings you back to where you belong,” he said in his speech. “The same campus where I learned so much as a student is now where I get to give back and help shape the next generation of Tar Heels.”
Hansbrough will co-teach Media and Journalism 377: Sports Communication with Hussman professor Livis Freeman. While Hansbrough later admitted to The DTH that he never saw himself teaching a course at the University, he hopes that he can highlight the value of sports reporters communicating with players.
After Hansbrough’s remarks, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jim Dean and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Amy Johnson spoke, also offering advice to new students. Following their addresses, Student Body President Adolfo Alvarez delivered a speech reassuring students that regardless of their background, they matter.
“No matter where you come from, whether you’re in-state, out-of-state or an international student, you belong here,” Alvarez said.
Following convocation, new students went to Kenan Stadium to attend FallFest, an event that kicks off the start to the new academic year by allowing students to connect with the campus community.
For first-year student Elliott More, the ceremony exceeded his expectations, with Hansbrough’s message particularly coming through loud and clear.
“I think [his speech] hit some good points about learning who you become through college, and the decisions you make that lead up to that,” he said.
