Country star Eric Church is UNC-Chapel Hill's 2026 Spring Commencement speaker

By Michael Lananna, UNC-Chapel Hill

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eric Church is coming home.

The world-renowned country musician — and avid Tar Heel fan — will deliver the 2026 Spring Commencement address at Carolina. The ceremony will be held in Kenan Stadium at 7 p.m. May 9, 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 said. "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. 

"I am confident his perspective will encourage the Class of 2026 as they begin the next stage of their lives." 

The country music star was born in the small western North Carolina town of Granite Falls and grew up supporting Tar Heel athletics.

His Tar Heel fandom hasn't wavered in the slightest throughout a decorated music career that has seen him release eight albums and tour the globe. In 2022, Church canceled a sold-out concert so he could watch the Carolina men's basketball team defeat rival Duke University in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.

The last time Church was in Kenan Stadium, he sat next to Carolina basketball legend Michael Jordan, taking in Bill Belichick's first game as a Tar Heel head football coach on Sept. 1. 

"Being asked to be the Commencement speaker at North Carolina is one of the greatest honors I've ever had," Church said. "Being a Tar Heel 'born, bred, dead' and knowing what the school has meant to me and my family, it's surreal.

"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." 

Church's blend of outlaw country and stadium-rousing anthems has captivated audiences since his first album, "Sinners Like Me," was released in 2006. Church's third album, "Chief," launched him to superstardom in 2011, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, winning multiple album of the year awards and producing hit singles "Drink in My Hand" and "Springsteen." 

Church is currently embarking on a fall tour in support of his eighth studio album, "Evangeline vs. the Machine," released May 2.

He released a single from that album, called "Darkest Hour (Helene Edit)," shortly after Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina last September, using proceeds from the single to support recovery efforts.

Church also teamed up with fellow country star Luke Combs on Oct. 26, 2024, to host a "Concert for Carolina" that raised more than $24 million for hurricane relief. Church told the crowd of 80,000 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, "I've never played a show this close to my heart." 

This story originally appeared in The Well. 

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SOURCE University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill