This Day in the History of the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Harry Woodburn Chase was born in Groveland, Massachusetts. After receiving his Ph.D. from Clark University in 1910, he joined the faculty in the Department of Education at the University. Chase served as president of the University from 1919 to 1930, when he left to become the president of the University of Illinois.

William Battle Phillips earned the first doctor of philosophy degree (Ph.D.) given by the University and the first to be awarded by a public university in the South. In addition, Henry Horace Williams received the University's first "earned" master of arts degree (M.A.). Previously, the University gave M.A. degrees to any graduate who had practiced a profession (law, medicine, or the church) for three years and paid the requisite fee.

The Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society was founded. Composed of faculty, staff, and alumni of the University's science and mathematics departments, the society was organized to commemorate the name and contributions of Elisha Mitchell by fostering scientific research and disseminating scientific knowledge.

The first monthly meeting of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society was held.