Unc Memorial Research Paper
Kara Wiley
October 2, 2012
English 105
UNC Memorials
Since its founding as the first public school in America, The University of North Carolina has created a rich past dating back to 1789. In honor of its history, UNC also has numerous memorials throughout the campus commemorating those who have helped build and shape the school. Four monuments that stand out are the Carolina Alumni Memorial in Memory of Those Lost in Service, the Caldwell Monument, The Unsung Founders Memorial, and Silent Sam.
The Carolina Alumni Memorial in Memory of Those Lost in Service is located right off Cameron Ave between Phillips and Memorial Halls. This rather large memorial is dedicated to all Carolina students that have lost their lives by fighting …show more content…
Caldwell was born in New Jersey but ended up spending much time and effort in helping create Carolina. In 1796, just seven years after the university’s founding, Joseph Caldwell taught at the university as a mathematics professor. He then served two terms as president from 1804 to 1812 and from 1816 to 1835. Caldwell also made major contributions to the state of North Carolina. His years spent in North Carolina consisted of promoting railroad transportation throughout the state, placing the southern boundary, and serving as an ordained Presbyterian minister. Caldwell’s monument on the McCorkle Place lawn was established in 1858 and made by Struther & Co. The marble obelisk stands tall and draws much attention with inscriptions on all sides and a shield at the top of the north-facing side. The four inscriptions state who raised the honorary monument, how Caldwell served both the university and the state, and his date of birth and death. One of the inscriptions also describes that the monument itself rests upon the grave of Joseph Caldwell and his wife Helen Caldwell. Because he advocated for railroads in North Carolina, the shield is carved with a train wheel. The shield also hosts an engineer’s transit and an open Bible that refer to Caldwell’s effort in drawing the lines of North Carolina’s southern boundary and his years as a minister. Lastly, the shield is carved with oak leaves. Because of his work and dedication to the school, one can understand why Carolina dedicates an entire monument to Caldwell. However, the Caldwell Memorial on the McCorkle Place lawn is not the first memorial at UNC dedicated to Joseph Caldwell. In 1837, a sandstone obelisk was built to honor the original president and lasted for about 50 years. However, in 1891, Carolina’s senior class rededicated the obelisk to three of the
October 2, 2012
English 105
UNC Memorials
Since its founding as the first public school in America, The University of North Carolina has created a rich past dating back to 1789. In honor of its history, UNC also has numerous memorials throughout the campus commemorating those who have helped build and shape the school. Four monuments that stand out are the Carolina Alumni Memorial in Memory of Those Lost in Service, the Caldwell Monument, The Unsung Founders Memorial, and Silent Sam.
The Carolina Alumni Memorial in Memory of Those Lost in Service is located right off Cameron Ave between Phillips and Memorial Halls. This rather large memorial is dedicated to all Carolina students that have lost their lives by fighting …show more content…
Caldwell was born in New Jersey but ended up spending much time and effort in helping create Carolina. In 1796, just seven years after the university’s founding, Joseph Caldwell taught at the university as a mathematics professor. He then served two terms as president from 1804 to 1812 and from 1816 to 1835. Caldwell also made major contributions to the state of North Carolina. His years spent in North Carolina consisted of promoting railroad transportation throughout the state, placing the southern boundary, and serving as an ordained Presbyterian minister. Caldwell’s monument on the McCorkle Place lawn was established in 1858 and made by Struther & Co. The marble obelisk stands tall and draws much attention with inscriptions on all sides and a shield at the top of the north-facing side. The four inscriptions state who raised the honorary monument, how Caldwell served both the university and the state, and his date of birth and death. One of the inscriptions also describes that the monument itself rests upon the grave of Joseph Caldwell and his wife Helen Caldwell. Because he advocated for railroads in North Carolina, the shield is carved with a train wheel. The shield also hosts an engineer’s transit and an open Bible that refer to Caldwell’s effort in drawing the lines of North Carolina’s southern boundary and his years as a minister. Lastly, the shield is carved with oak leaves. Because of his work and dedication to the school, one can understand why Carolina dedicates an entire monument to Caldwell. However, the Caldwell Memorial on the McCorkle Place lawn is not the first memorial at UNC dedicated to Joseph Caldwell. In 1837, a sandstone obelisk was built to honor the original president and lasted for about 50 years. However, in 1891, Carolina’s senior class rededicated the obelisk to three of the