Eric Church To Give UNC Chapel Hill Commencement Speech
Church admits it’s “one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had.”
Eric Church; Photo by Anthony D’Angio
Eric Church will take the stage in a different way next spring, as he’s been announced as the 2026 Spring Commencement speaker at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The country superstar and proud North Carolina native is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at Kenan Stadium on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 7 p.m.
For Church, who grew up in the small town of Granite Falls and has long been an avid Tar Heel supporter, the honor feels like a homecoming. He has cheered on UNC’s athletics program for years, and now he’ll return to campus to inspire the class of 2026.
“A proud North Carolinian and one of country music’s most influential voices, Eric Church has long been a devoted Tar Heel fan and supporter of our University,” Chancellor Lee H. Roberts shared. “A true legend, he has shaped the music industry and inspired generations of artists and audiences alike. His significant efforts to help rebuild western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene reflect his steadfast commitment to his hometown and our state.”
Chancellor Roberts later added, “I am confident his perspective will encourage the Class of 2026 as they begin the next stage of their lives.”
Fans are well aware of Church’s deep-rooted love for the Tar Heels. In 2022, he famously canceled a sold-out concert so he could be in the stands as Carolina took on rival Duke in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. More recently, he was spotted back at Kenan Stadium to watch the Tar Heels in action, sitting alongside his friend and Carolina basketball legend Michael Jordan, as coach Bill Belichick made his debut on the sidelines.
“Being asked to be the Commencement speaker at North Carolina is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had,” Church admitted. “Being a Tar Heel ‘born, bred, dead’ and knowing what the school has meant to me and my family, it’s surreal.”
Despite his many awards and accolades, Church says this opportunity is a true honor.
“To be able to be there and celebrate the future, the students at the University of North Carolina as they go onto their next journey, I’m honored to do it, and I can’t wait to see everybody there.”
Eric Church stepped up to help his home state of North Carolina last year in the wake of Hurricane Helene, teaming up with Luke Combs to raise over $24 million for relief efforts. Church and his nonprofit, Chief Cares, recently announced that they are expanding their efforts to rebuild Western North Carolina. Following the launch of their first housing community, Blue Haven, the organization will now provide mortgage-free homes not only to storm victims, but also to community heroes, including educators, healthcare workers, first responders, and others who serve the region every day.
“We’re not just building homes—we’re investing in the people that will carry this community forward for generations,” Church said. “This isn’t about short-term solutions. It’s about long-term hope.”
For more information, visit ChiefCares.org.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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